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Battlefords Community Players win multiple awards at Theatrefest 2018

Apr 13, 2018 | 12:00 PM

It was another memorable performance for the Battlefords Community Players (BCP).

The local theatre troupe, who have thrilled audiences with live theatrical entertainment for over 65 years, were the big winners at the 86th Annual Theatrefest 2018 held in Weyburn from April 1-8.

The BCP’s production of Michel Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, earned the group four prestigious awards including the McIntosh Memorial Cup for the top performance, the Goodfellow Award for Best Director Donna Challis, Technical Merit Award and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jim Walls. Lynda Lyon-Walls also received an honourable mention as Best Actress.

“We are just so excited, we had an amazing week,” said director Donna Challis. “I’m so proud of the work that everyone put into the show.”

The week-long event, sponsored by Theatre Saskatchewan Inc., featured performances from seven theatre groups from Regina, Balgonie, Moose Jaw, Yorkton and the Battlefords.

Challis is no stranger to garnering the Longfellow Award as Best Director and said you can’t help but feel thrilled in winning the award no matter how often your win.

“This award is very much appreciated,” she added. “It’s exciting to have your work looked at with critical eyes and feel that it was good quality work.”

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is author Michel Tremblay’s tribute to his mother whom he credits with nurturing his imagination and creativity.

“It is a brilliant story with slapstick comedy and great storytelling,” Challis said. “It was a very strong show for us to present with great performances from the actors.”

Battlefords Community Players will now shift their focus on their huge May production of Agatha Christie’s classic Mousetrap at the Western Development Museum (WDM) May 1, 3, 4, and 5.

“It’s a big show with a big set and it is going to be terrific,” she added. “Our May 1 show is just the show and then on May 3 to 5 will be the dinner theatre.”

For more information on tickets to Mousetrap, click here.

 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW