The Real Thing
About the Play
This intellectually and emotionally engaging backstage comedy portrays an articulate and romantically idealistic playwright whose second wife is trying to merge worthy causes with her art as an actress. She has net a “political prisoner” named Brodie who has been jailed for radical thuggery, and who has written an inept play about how property is theft, how the state stifles the rights of the individual, etc., etc., etc. Henry’s wife wants him to make the play work theatrically, which he does after much soul searching. Eventually, though, he is able to convince his wife that Brodie is emphatically not a victim of political repression; he is, in fact, a thug. And while this hilariously transpires, Henry’s concepts of love, marriage and fidelity are tested as surely as his writing skills. Jeremy Irons triumphed in the original Broadway production.
The Real Thing is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (Samuel French)
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
What is the real thing anyway? And is there a unique version for each of us? We hope tonight we have done justice to Tom Stoppard’s enquiry into love. Love, that complicated, messy, idiosyncratic and painful thing. That thing we all seem to strive for, even if we can’t always find it, or even recognize it when we see it. Henry says his play within the play is about self-knowledge through pain. But maybe our play is also about opening oneself up and being known, warts and all.
– Evan Llewellyn
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to another evening of live theatre. A production sure to be enjoyed by all and a wonderful end to another successful season of plays at Hendry Hall.
Our new brochure for the 2012-2013 season is now available in the lobby. Why not pick one up (so you don’t miss a single show!) and perhaps consider becoming a season ticket holder. A limited number of season ticket packages are still available so don’t delay – sign up today. Your completed order form (with requisite payment) may be handed to one of our front-of-house staff or mailed to the address shown. Another event not to be missed is our exciting 60th Anniversary Garden Party on Saturday, June 23 when we will be hosting all friends of North Van Players in the grounds of Hendry Hall (rain or shine), to be followed by an hour long Cabaret at 5 pm, 7 pm. and 9 pm. Please call our Box Office line at 604-983-2633 if you are able to join us to celebrate this historic occasion. – Sue Worrow
| Character | Played by |
| Max | Nick Palidwor |
| Charlotte | Geneva McNeill |
| Henry | Brian Hoskins |
| Annie | Louise Porter |
| Billy | Thomas Elms |
| Debbie | Sarah Moir |
| Brodie | Alex Lowe |
| Director | Evan Llewellyn |
| Assistant Director | Jennifer Morabito |
| Author | Tom Stoppard |
| Production Managers | Carolyn Coles, and Alison Precious |
| Stage Manager | Kathleen Denkewalter |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Shirley Helgason |
| Set Design | Glynnis Brassil |
| Set Construction | Clive Sanders, Neil Brewer, Andrew Massil, Bob Martin, and Evan Llewellyn |
| Set Painters / Decorators | Glynnis Brassil, and Robin Hilliard |
| Set Furnishing and Dressing | Andrew Massil and Liz Massil |
| Furniture Construction | Gord Pope |
| Properties | Marie Brazier, Andrew Massil, and Liz Massil |
| Lighting Designer | Michael Methot |
| Sound Designer | Evan Llewellyn |
| Sound Programmer | Anne Marsh |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Liz Whittaker |
| Costumes | Rosemary Hundal, and Sharon Alexander |
| Hair and Make-Up | Anella Cusano |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Maggie Kolodziej |
| Box Office and Opening Night Caterer | Rosemary Hundal |
| Photographer | Gary Schwartz |
| Videographer | Chris Wolfe |
| Original Performance Dates | May 25 to June 9, 2012 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Sue and Brian Worrow, Fran and Art Heaney, Ryan Crocker (on-stage photo), Danielle Benson (voice coaching), Park Royal Mall, Rona (Park & Tilford), Angel Carpet Cleaning, George Thew, Consignment Canada, Homex Euro Trucking Ltd. |
| Evan Llewellyn | Director – Evan has been involved in community theatre for a number of years as an actor and more recently as a director too. His last performance was in She Stoops to Conquer for NVCP which he also co-directed. Evan is delighted and inspired by the talent, goodwill and dedication of the cast and crew of this production. Community theatre is just that: experiencing community through a love of theatre. And this is surely what we have been able to do on this project. |
| Thomas Elms | Billy – Although Thomas has been a performer and theatre lover since an early age, this is only his second production outside of school. Thus he would like to convey his love and appreciation to all members of the cast and crew for making the entire experience one which he shall never forget. |
| Brian Hoskins | Henry – After a ten-year hiatus, Brian is thrilled to return to the stage with the North Vancouver Community Players. His previous credits include featured roles in The Grapes of Wrath, The Mousetrap, I Hate Hamlet as well as the role of Ché in Evita. He studied theatre at Keyano College, and radio broadcasting at SAIT, and will be appearing in a production of Rent later this summer. |
| Alex Lowe | Brodie – Alex is currently a student at Carson Graham Secondary School in Grade 12. He has applied for the Acting for Stage and Screen program at Capilano University, and is currently awaiting a response from them regarding his application. He plans to continue his work with the North Vancouver Community Players in the coming years, and hopes to make a career for himself in acting. |
| Geneva McNeill | Charlotte – After a hiatus of many years, Geneva is pleased to be part of her first production at Hendry Hall. When not moonlighting as an actor, she practices law in Vancouver. Favourite previous roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Beth in Neil Simon’s California Suite. |
| Sarah Moir | Debbie – This is Sarah’s second performance time with the North Vancouver Community Players—her first being last year’s production of the highly-successful pantomime Aladdin. She has been a dancer for 15 years and is now branching out to acting and other bigger, better things. She hopes to attend Capilano University in their Performing Arts program and, after that, follow her dream by working for Disney. |
| Nick Palidwor | Max – Nick is very pleased to be back on stage after a small hiatus. He has obtained his BFA from SFU. Nick’s past credits include Max/Maxine from Leading Ladies (Deep Cove Stage), Paul from Moon Over Buffalo and Marlowe from She Stoops to Conquer (NVCP). He also directed and performed in The Night of One Acts earlier this season. He is pleased to be among the talented cast and crew of Hendry Hall. Happy 60th Anniversary to NVCP. |
| Louise Porter | Annie – Louise studied acting in Toronto at the Centre for Actors Study of Toronto (C.A.S.T.). Since moving to Vancouver in 2001, she has performed in many plays, including Educating Rita, Proof, Drinking Alone, Time of My Life, As You Like It, and most recently in Blithe Spirit for First Impressions Theatre at the Deep Cove Shaw Theatre. Louise wishes to thank her family, friends, a wonderful cast and crew in The Real Thing, and last but definitely not least, you the audience, as without you, the show would not go on. |