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There is no active program to display - so here is material from an old one - The Admirable Crichton

PROGRAM NOTES

Director's note
It is a wonderful thing to direct a play. Everyone should try it. Start with a script, then convince some actors, add on set designers, builders, technical crew, costume experts, people who look after tickets, and a hundred other things. Take that play off the paper, build a world where it can happen, and watch it grow into the hearts and minds of the actors. Then, trembling, show it to the audience.

This will work out better if you start with a good script. The Admirable Crichton by Sir J.M. Barrie was the top play in the year it was introduced. Barrie wrote this spoof of class structure a few years before his next most memorable play, Peter Pan, and it fits in a special place between reality and fantasy. Look for influences from the literature of the day, like Kipling's The Man Who Would Be King and Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Look even harder and you will find people like Henley – who was the inspiration for both Long John Silver and Captain Hook.

Don't be surprised if you get swept away as the actors take over the characters and the many creative theatre people working behind the scenes conjure the environments where our imaginations can work. There will be laughs and tears, songs and coconuts.

The NGCT is an amateur community theatre organization and we are always looking for new people to get involved. We hope that after seeing this show, you have ideas for how you could continue to be part of theatre on-stage or off. Of course, you already are scoring points, you are already the most important part of the show, the audience.

President's note
Performing arts groups around the world had difficulties during the pandemic years and the North Grenville Community Theatre was no exception. We lost money because our fixed expenses continued while our income dried up. Worse, we lost people, with beloved actors and crew leaving for various reasons. Worst of all, we almost lost enthusiasm, but, whew, not quite. In a group that depends entirely on volunteers, enthusiasm is our primary fuel. It survived. Now we are rebuilding.

We have a new brand, operating under a business name that shows our connection to North Grenville. Our corporate name, Kemptville Players Inc., is still there, semi-retired and taking a proud place among the other names we have had over the years.

We struggled a bit to grow audience for our plays in 2022, with people staying away as covid lingered. So, we took to the road in 2022 and 2023 with travelling plays which we offered to smaller audiences as fundraisers for non-profit organizations around the area.

Now we are gathering steam. The Admirable Crichton is one of the biggest shows we have staged. This fall we have two things planned – first the charming comedy, Hobson's Choice. Then we host the Eastern Ontario Drama League's One Act play festival, right here in Kemptville. Plans for 2024 are underway. We remain committed to increasing awareness and appreciation of amateur theatre in North Grenville.

Thank you
Many organizations around our area have helped NGCT produce this play. We are very thankful for ticket sales by B&H Community Grocer, for music provided by our friends at the North Grenville Concert Choir, and for special help with rehearsal space from the Marlborough Community Recreational Association. Thanks also to the Municipality of North Grenville for storing our costumes. We are always looking for sponsors and we intend to develop a package of incentives for sponsors this year. If you think your organization may be interested in helping us, please get in touch.

   

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