Having Hope At Home
About the Play
On a winter night in a drafty farmhouse a baby is about to arrive. But modern medicine meets midwifery head on in a torrent of family feuding. As tensions rise between three dysfunctional generations, so does the laughter. It takes a baby to heal the rift in this funny, heartwarming story of forgiveness and hope.
Having Hope At Home is produced by special arrangement with Playwrights Canada Press
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
I am always proud and pleased when I am entrusted with a good play which has challenge, a touch of comedy and a poignant message! Being a Canadian play is a bonus! I hope we have done justice to this story of “HOPE”, and that you will enjoy this portrayal of a dysfunctional family trying to find understanding and love despite diverse beliefs, and some cultural differences. Another good recently-written Canadian play! There are many of them, and I am pleased NVCP chooses to seek them out!. – Clive Sanders
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thank you to the wonderfully talented director, cast and crew who have all worked so hard over the past few months. Much fun was had by all in preparing this uniquely Canadian show for your enjoyment. We’d love to have you come join us – there’s always room for one more, and lots of camaraderie. The commitment is from a few hours every two months for carpenters, to six evenings a year for Front-of-House people and anything in between. There’s a list in the lobby if you have any spare time for fun, and a membership sheet too. Hope to see you again soon.– Glynnis Brassil
| Character | Played by |
| Carolyn (Caro) Bingham | Tracy Labrosse |
| Russell (Gramps) Bingham | David Secunda |
| Michel (Mish) Charbonneau | Paul Tourneur |
| Jane Bingham | Barb LaBounta |
| William (Bill) Bingham | Robert Sterling |
| Dawn Shaw | Heather Evens |
| Director | Clive Sanders |
| Author | David S. Craig |
| Production Manager | Sandy Branning |
| Stage Manager | Rosemary Hundal |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Leslie Whittaker |
| Set Design | Clive Sanders, and Linda Sharp |
| Set Construction | Clive Sanders, Gord Pope, Tim Ellis, and Andrew Massil |
| Set Decorators | Linda Sharp, and Glynnis Brassil |
| Properties | Carolyn Coles, Heather Macfarlane, Ray Boucher, and Helen Dobric |
| Lighting Designer | Simon Drake |
| Sound Designers | Nigel Barker |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Frances Kerstiens, and Rob Thompson |
| Costumes | Maggie Mason, and Sharon Alexander |
| Hair and Make-Up | Leslie Whittaker |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Jennifer Morabito |
| Opening Night Caterer | Judith Barkley White |
| Box Office | Fran Heaney, Sue Worrow, and Barry Walker |
| Photographer | Gary Schwartz |
| Videographer | Chris Wolfe |
| Original Performance Dates | February 7 to 22, 2014 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Romantic Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Park Royal Mall Community Services, Rona (Park & Tilford), Laura & Edward de Klerk, Birks, Donna Swaile, Barry Walker, James White |
| Clive Sanders | Director – Seen on-stage last year in Hendry Hall as the Inspector in The Murder Room, Clive has returned to his directorial role – his fourteenth with the North Van Players. He directed The Trouble With Richard in 2012, and is pleased to be back with another Canadian comedy. He thanks his outstanding cast and crew who have been a delight (and fun!) to work with. |
| Heather Evens | Dawn Shaw – The role of Dawn has been a joy for Heather – it returned her to beloved Hendry Hall (last seen in Bea’s Niece, as Dr. Beth Ottis), introduced her to this wonderful production team, got her back on stage with Tracy (last time in Bedroom Farce, as Jan Davies), and prompted many chats with friends about childbirth, all for which she is very thankful! Other recent North Shore theatre adventures have included the role of Ruth Dewers in both Table Manners and Round and Round the Garden with Theatre West Van. |
| Tracy Labrosse | Carolyn Bingham – Tracy never thought she’d have to go through labour again! Previous North Vancouver Community Players’ credits include The Trouble with Richard, Moon Over Buffalo, and Doubt. Some favourite past credits include And Then There Were None (Metro Theatre), Bedroom Farce (TOTC – Havana Theatre), and Living Together (Theatre West Van). Tracy recently won a CTC Award for her portrayal of Susy in Wait Until Dark (Vagabond Players). |
| Barb LaBounta | Jane Bingham – Barb hails from New York City where favourite roles include Googie Gomez in The Ritz and Pegeen Mike in Playboy of the Western World, plus featured dance roles in Oklahoma and Mame. While living in Atlanta, highlights were Maggie in The Shadow Box and Jennie in Chapter Two. Barb made her NVCP debut as Sylvia in Checkout Girls, again presented at The Meek by Theatre West Van. She most recently appeared at NVCP as Isobel Lomax in The Kitchen Witches. |
| David Secunda | Russell Bingham – Originally a visual artist, David Secunda transformed into a performance artist as he experimented in ritual style performance art at galleries and events such as the International Sculpture Symposium in 1978. In the 1980s David Secunda performed mask theatre receiving many Canada Council Grants and Ontario Arts Council Grants. Experimenting with giant woven fibre masks and puppets which he created, he performed nationally and internationally as far as Hong Kong. In 1989 he became a theatre arts teacher in Coquitlam. |
| Robert Sterling | William (Bill) Bingham – Robert is truly honoured to be gracing the legendary stage at the Hendry Hall for the first time. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, Robert has enjoyed participating in theatrical productions for many years. He was granted the Best Actor award from Theatre BC’s Okanagan Zone in 2006 and 2008 for his portrayals of Peck in How I Learned to Drive and Jack Tisdale in Opening Night. He extends his profound gratitude to the NVCP membership and audience for their selfless commitment and generous support. |
| Paul Tourneur | Michel (Mish) Charbonneau – Paul has been doing theatre in Vancouver, New Westminster and Burnaby since 1995. He only started to venture out to the North Shore back in 2005 when he played Reverend Canon Throbbing in Theatre West Van’s production of Habeas Corpus. His first production with North Vancouver Community Players was Wrong Turn at Lungfish where he played Dominic De Caesar – an on-the-run low level thug. Paul last performed with NVCP in The Trouble With Richard which was also directed by Clive Sanders. His most memorable role was Jonathan Harker in Vagabond Players’ production of Transylvanian Clockworks. |