The Paper Bag Players are getting ready for spring, and they’re doing it in the only way that makes sense for a theatre group – performing a play. The group is in the midst of rehearsing their next production now.
“Hold, Please” by Annie Wiesman is a two act play about the life, work and troubles of a group of four secretaries in the early 2000s explains director Whitney Treasure.
“They all gather and chat about their lives, and situations at work they can’t control or are controlling.”
Part of the reason they went with the play is because they wanted a female-lead play to fit with strong cast of performers that wanted to take on a role. There are familiar faces on stage, with Amber Matechuk, Pam Milani, Teresa Weber and Leanne Keys as the main cast, who have performed in Paper Bag Players productions in the past.
“I think the roles we’ve picked for them suit them very well.”
While this is the first time Treasure has directed for the group, she has done other things in the past, including doing their lighting – which she is doing for this performance as well. She says that with the group it’s easy to direct, since the cast and crew all know each other well and everyone has years of experience on and off stage, including directing plays themselves.
“If I ever have troubles, or they think they see something else, they let me know, and it’s great.”
The group will take the play to Saskatchewan TheatreFest, performing on April 22. Paper Bag Players have had good luck at the festival before – Weber took home best actress in 2015 and their play took home best entry. They are among six groups performing that week for the festival.
Local audiences will get the chance to see the group in action at their spring Ladies’ Night fundraiser on April 29 at St. Gerard’s Parish. The evening will feature the play itself, supper, and a cabaret with music by the Jayhawks, as well as vendor tables.
“It’s a whole night of just fun.”
The choice to make it a Ladies Night came from the play itself. The group thought that it would be the perfect tie-in to Administrative Professionals Day, at the end of April, making a play about secretaries a natural fit, Treasure says.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 or $225 for a table of eight, and available by calling (306)620-3833.
