In the 26-year history of the Souris Valley (SV) Theatre, there likely hasn’t been a production with as much local meaning as Volstead Blues.
The musical comedy was the first show ever at the theatre back in 1990, and it has returned several times since then. Its last appearance in Estevan was in 2009.
Adding to its local significance is its depiction of Estevan during the days of Prohibition, when the Energy City’s location near the Canada-U.S. border made it a key strategic point for bootleggers.
Volstead Blues will be performed at the theatre’s Frehlick Hall from July 25 to 29, and Aug. 2 to 6. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. each night. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 4.
The first week will coincide with the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan, and the show’s local relevance is why it was chosen to be performed this year.
SV Theatre artistic director Kenn McLeod said the rehearsals have been going great for the show. They have a good blend of performers who have been at the theatre before, and fresh faces making their first appearance at Frehlick Hall.
“We’re digging into the script,” McLeod said in an interview with Lifestyles. “We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we are moving a few things around here and there, and writing a new song for the end, which we’re pretty happy about.”
McLeod’s mandate is not to give the musical a facelift. He believes there’s a “sweet” and “nostalgic” element to the show, because it’s about Estevan during Prohibition.
“It really showed through in the entrepreneurial spirit in a lot of the local ‘wildlife’ at the time,” said McLeod.
The cast isn’t feeling any added pressure to deliver a great show, even though it has been performed a number of times in Estevan. But they are optimistic people will still be excited to come and see the show.
“I’ve had folks in the community say this was the show that started it all for them when they first started going to the theatre, and they’ve seen it a few times, so if there’s pressure, it’s the fact that people say they want to see it, and they do come and see it,” said McLeod.
There is a fantastic cast, some excellent sets and even a skilled piano player.
“We’re going to treat the theatre like it’s a speakeasy,” said McLeod. “So you’re going to come in the back door and go through secret passages and show up in the theatre to watch the show.”
There was one hitch for their rehearsals. They would normally rehearse at the Doug Third Hall. But the building suffered some flood damage due to the July 10 storm, so they had to move to the Trinity Lutheran Church gymnasium.
Chelsea Mahan, who has the role of Rita, the girlfriend of the American gangster character, is making her first appearance at the theatre. The play is a lot of fun, she said, and the local setting enhances it.
“You can relate to it,” said Mahan. “It’s Canadian. It’s based in Saskatchewan. It’s all the things I’m rooting for right now, with local art and local subjects.”
Rita is an enjoyable character to play, because she acts like a buffoon around her gangster boyfriend, but in reality Rita is intelligent and just using him for her own purposes.
The music is great, too, and the script contains a lot of funny jokes.
Mahan has also been impressed with the experience of performing in Estevan.
“We’re staying at the Woodlawn Regional Park, where the Souris Valley Theatre is located, and it’s amazing to stay on site, where you’re rehearsing, where the show is going to be, and the people are great,” said Mahan. “Estevan is beautiful and the landscape is beautiful, so it’s a lot to feed your artistic side.”
Mark Claxton, on the other hand, is a veteran of the theatre, having appeared the last couple of seasons. He will portray Phil, who has a hotel and bar, and a little bootlegging operation in Estevan.
The cast and crew have been working diligently, since they only have a couple of weeks to rehearse. But he believes good chemistry has already developed.
“Everyone is contributing ideas and making offers on stage, about ‘Why don’t we try this,’ or ‘Why don’t we do it this way?’ I know Kenn is really trying to give the show … a fresh approach so that it’s not entirely the same show that they’ve seen before, if they’ve seen previous versions of it,” said Claxton.
Claxton echoed Mahan’s assessment about the music, saying that it is very catchy, with some great songs throughout the show, creating a musical that the cast, crew and audience will find entertaining.
He believes Souris Valley Theatre provides him with an opportunity to do what he loves, while in a beautiful setting and surrounded by wonderful people.
“It’s just a terrific environment,” said Claxton. “Estevan is right close by, so you have everything you need as far as conveniences go.”
Volstead Blues has been a learning experience for the performers. It might be fictional, but it draws on local history. And they recognize the attachment it carries for many people in the community, so they want to deliver a great show.
“There’s always something cool when you bring a piece of real history of the area to life,” Claxton said.
