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Barkerville Theatre
Theatre Royal, Barkerville opens with a new season and
a new theatre company
A new era is beginning for the Theatre Royal, Barkerville as Newman & Wright Theatre Company takes over the five-year permit.
For Amy Newman and Richard Wright it is a chance to return to the streets of Barkerville and put some of their ideas on history onto the stage.
Newman worked at the Theatre Royal for two seasons, and the Jack o' Clubs 1930s Casino and Music Hall for two seasons and spends winters in Vancouver.
Wright is a former street interpreter and historian who has written extensively about the Cariboo Gold Rush and in the last couple of years has become identified with the Cariboo Camel Project. He lives at Pioneer Ranch near Williams Lake, B.C.
Last year they formed Newman & Wright Productions to produce the Jack o' Clubs 1930s Casino show.
"That has now morphed into Newman & Wright Theatre Company," says Wright, "though in Barkerville we will be known as the "Newman & Wright Theatrical Troupe" in keeping with the 1870s period.
N & W's focus will be to return to shows reflecting the 1870s and 1930s, shows historic in content and context. This means more of a variety show, and less of a musical theatre approach.
Amy Newman, Musical Director of the Theatre Royal shows, says her goal comes from her years on stage and in audiences.
"I have often come out of theatres changed by what I've experienced - whether I was on the stage or in the audience - by the words, the music, the actors - telling the stories of other worlds, other lives," she says.
"This is what we hope to accomplish at Theatre Royal. I want people to laugh and cry, to sing-along - to come away with an experience that in some indefinable way, changes them. We want Theatre Royal to tell stories that people can take away with them - full of all of the pieces of the puzzle which make us human: the good times, the sad times, the funny times - to share the human experience," says Newman.
"There are three things people will notice this year," says Wright, the shows' Producer.
"One, the shows will have music, comedy, drama and stories reflective of the time period, the 1870s and the 1930s.
"Second, we have increased the number of shows to four. The spring and fall show will be 'Whiskey Dealers and Miners' Angels,' written and performed by Amy Newman. The main season will feature three shows: two daytime shows, 'An Afternoon with the Cariboo Dramatic Association' at 1 p.m., and 'The Campfires and Trails of Captain Jack Crawford,' at 4 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday evenings we will have the 1930s and 40s 'Gold Quartz Revue', with 10 performers.
"Thirdly for the first time in recent history we will be having shows on Fridays. This will be Newman's one-woman play, with music. And, we will also have this show on Friday, Monday and Tuesday evenings."
Regional Manager Robin Sharpe says, "Barkerville Historic Town is looking forward to a long working relationship with Newman & Wright Theatre Company and are looking forward to all of the exciting new shows for the 2004 season.
"This year will be a break from the tradition of only having one main day show throughout the summer and the theatre closed on Fridays. By having three different day shows, evening and Friday shows, visitors to the Barkerville, Wells and Bowron Lakes area will be encouraged to stay longer and enjoy the many other activities the community has to offer."
"Congratulations Amy and Richard for putting together such an ambitious program for the visitors for 2004," he said.
"We have a great cast and crew in place," says Newman. "They include Stage Mgr. Lynnette Candy; Asst. Stage Mgr. Liduina VanderSpek, Front of House Mgr. David Smeltzer with Ryan Mooney assisting. Our performers are JP Winslow, Lauren Bowler, Julie McIsaac, and Joel Stephanson."
Sue Newman is back as director/choreographer of the main shows and Ross Douglas is directing Newman's one-woman show.
"Our whole crew are performers so on the weekend we will add them plus Richard and myself to the show. Then on top we will have guest artists such as David Essig, Gary Fjellgaard, Tom Lewis and more," says Newman
"This is something I have been thinking about for 15 years, " says Wright. "In taking on this project we felt we had two choices: cut back and reduce the financial exposure or expand the shows, the days and hours of operation and put more bums in seats. We choose to expand and help build Barkerville.
"It is clear that over the last decades Barkerville has become what the merchants, actors, interpreters, staff and management have made it, despite any problems. Many make Barkerville a major part of their lives. Newman & Wright are excited and proud to be a part of that life," says Wright
The spring show begins May 10th and the main shows begin at the Grand Opening June 19th..
a new theatre company
A new era is beginning for the Theatre Royal, Barkerville as Newman & Wright Theatre Company takes over the five-year permit.
For Amy Newman and Richard Wright it is a chance to return to the streets of Barkerville and put some of their ideas on history onto the stage.
Newman worked at the Theatre Royal for two seasons, and the Jack o' Clubs 1930s Casino and Music Hall for two seasons and spends winters in Vancouver.
Wright is a former street interpreter and historian who has written extensively about the Cariboo Gold Rush and in the last couple of years has become identified with the Cariboo Camel Project. He lives at Pioneer Ranch near Williams Lake, B.C.
Last year they formed Newman & Wright Productions to produce the Jack o' Clubs 1930s Casino show.
"That has now morphed into Newman & Wright Theatre Company," says Wright, "though in Barkerville we will be known as the "Newman & Wright Theatrical Troupe" in keeping with the 1870s period.
N & W's focus will be to return to shows reflecting the 1870s and 1930s, shows historic in content and context. This means more of a variety show, and less of a musical theatre approach.
Amy Newman, Musical Director of the Theatre Royal shows, says her goal comes from her years on stage and in audiences.
"I have often come out of theatres changed by what I've experienced - whether I was on the stage or in the audience - by the words, the music, the actors - telling the stories of other worlds, other lives," she says.
"This is what we hope to accomplish at Theatre Royal. I want people to laugh and cry, to sing-along - to come away with an experience that in some indefinable way, changes them. We want Theatre Royal to tell stories that people can take away with them - full of all of the pieces of the puzzle which make us human: the good times, the sad times, the funny times - to share the human experience," says Newman.
"There are three things people will notice this year," says Wright, the shows' Producer.
"One, the shows will have music, comedy, drama and stories reflective of the time period, the 1870s and the 1930s.
"Second, we have increased the number of shows to four. The spring and fall show will be 'Whiskey Dealers and Miners' Angels,' written and performed by Amy Newman. The main season will feature three shows: two daytime shows, 'An Afternoon with the Cariboo Dramatic Association' at 1 p.m., and 'The Campfires and Trails of Captain Jack Crawford,' at 4 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday evenings we will have the 1930s and 40s 'Gold Quartz Revue', with 10 performers.
"Thirdly for the first time in recent history we will be having shows on Fridays. This will be Newman's one-woman play, with music. And, we will also have this show on Friday, Monday and Tuesday evenings."
Regional Manager Robin Sharpe says, "Barkerville Historic Town is looking forward to a long working relationship with Newman & Wright Theatre Company and are looking forward to all of the exciting new shows for the 2004 season.
"This year will be a break from the tradition of only having one main day show throughout the summer and the theatre closed on Fridays. By having three different day shows, evening and Friday shows, visitors to the Barkerville, Wells and Bowron Lakes area will be encouraged to stay longer and enjoy the many other activities the community has to offer."
"Congratulations Amy and Richard for putting together such an ambitious program for the visitors for 2004," he said.
"We have a great cast and crew in place," says Newman. "They include Stage Mgr. Lynnette Candy; Asst. Stage Mgr. Liduina VanderSpek, Front of House Mgr. David Smeltzer with Ryan Mooney assisting. Our performers are JP Winslow, Lauren Bowler, Julie McIsaac, and Joel Stephanson."
Sue Newman is back as director/choreographer of the main shows and Ross Douglas is directing Newman's one-woman show.
"Our whole crew are performers so on the weekend we will add them plus Richard and myself to the show. Then on top we will have guest artists such as David Essig, Gary Fjellgaard, Tom Lewis and more," says Newman
"This is something I have been thinking about for 15 years, " says Wright. "In taking on this project we felt we had two choices: cut back and reduce the financial exposure or expand the shows, the days and hours of operation and put more bums in seats. We choose to expand and help build Barkerville.
"It is clear that over the last decades Barkerville has become what the merchants, actors, interpreters, staff and management have made it, despite any problems. Many make Barkerville a major part of their lives. Newman & Wright are excited and proud to be a part of that life," says Wright
The spring show begins May 10th and the main shows begin at the Grand Opening June 19th..
Submitted on March 5, 2004 in By David.
