The Dewdney Players are delivering an outdoor performance of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.
“It’s really amazing, we’ve missed it so much,” said Nicola Payton, the play’s producer. “Online things are fun for us, but live theatre is just so different from anything else.
“Being able to come back and perform in front of a proper audience is just a great feeling, and we’re really pleased we can do that this year.”
While there is also a musical version commonly performed, the theatre group is performing the play version, adapted for stage by Michelle R. Davis, which stays true to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel, said Payton.
“It’s a play version of the classic tale,” she said. “All the memorable points in the book are in the show.
“We’ve got a whole bunch of new faces too.”
Stepping into the titular role of Anne is Lucie Killam, who has enjoyed playing the bombastic personality.
“It’s super fun to the end, because she’s very dramatic, she’s such a different person,” Killam said. “I’ve had to work a lot on getting her character down.
“Her red hair just sets her off every time, so there’s lots of temper tantrums and stuff.
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been really fun trying to figure out the character.”
The excitement is two-fold for her, coming out of the pandemic restrictions and exploring the new role.
“It’s an honour to be able to do this role, I did not expect to be able to do this,” Killam said. “It’s amazing that we’re going to be able to perform outside, with an actual audience and not just in front of a screen.”
Killam, now a student of St. John Paul II Collegiate, got started on her acting chops early on, taking part in school plays at Good Shepherd School under the direction of teacher Dayna Coles.
The play also means a reunion as the play will be co-directed by Coles, along with Chloe Payton who is directing for the first time.
The production began to take shape in May and June with auditions and initial read-throughs taking place over Zoom.
“When we were rehearsing, we rehearsed with masks on outside,” Chloe said. “That was just something we had to deal with because we wanted to make sure we were being as safe as possible.”
Despite those hurdles, the production has come together nicely, she added.
“To me it’s looking really good—we have our set and props sorted out,” Chloe said.
“We even have a mini rowboat we can roll across the stage.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into how it’s turning out, so I’m really excited to see how it comes together.”
Show times are July 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. and July 24, 25, 31, and Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Olde Towne Plaza, with admission by donation.
For more information, visit www.dewdneyplayers.com
