That family feeling that is a hallmark of Sooke takes centre stage within the local theatre community.

Ryley Brown, a 10-year-old Sooke Elementary school student, will make his debut with the company in the Sooke Harbour Players presentation of Oliver. A veteran of several Four Seasons Theatre productions, Brown will handle the role of Captain, a member of the Artful DodgerB次元官网网址檚 gang, in the musical treatment of the Dickens classic.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like I can really be myself when IB次元官网网址檓 on stage,B次元官网网址� said Brown when asked what he enjoys about live theatre. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fun, and you get to meet new friends. The people are really nice most of the time. ItB次元官网网址檚 more challenging to play several roles, but I like the challenge. I definitely want to continue with theatre when I get older.B次元官网网址�

Brown will be joined by his grandmother, Carey Woodward, who plays the rose seller and is also part of the ensemble cast. Although she had no background in theatre whatsoever, Woodward auditioned for a part in the Sooke Harbour Players production of Blythe Spirit, which ran last year. B次元官网网址淵ou could have knocked me over with a feather when I got the part,B次元官网网址� Woodward said. B次元官网网址淚 was even more surprised when I found out I had to learn pages and pages of dialogue. B次元官网网址淚t was nerve wracking, but the people were amazing.B次元官网网址�

In addition to the opportunity to work with her grandson, Woodward said the wide spectrum of people from the community that you work with in the theatre group makes the experience special. B次元官网网址淵ou meet everyone from professionals to trades people, people aged seven to senior,B次元官网网址� she noted.

Woodward and Brown will be working with RyleyB次元官网网址檚 mother, Jenn Brown, who is handling the duties of stage manager for the first time. B次元官网网址淚 initially got involved because I was the mom in the green room and thought I could help out,B次元官网网址� Brown explained. B次元官网网址淚 eventually found myself doing a little more with each production.B次元官网网址�

As stage manager, Brown is responsible for setting up rehearsals, and then props, lighting, sound, crew and child wranglers once the production begins. B次元官网网址淵ou have to ensure the cast has everything thy need,B次元官网网址� Brown said. B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 realize how many people volunteer tirelessly behind the scene to pull a show together. The lovely part of community theatre is that you get to connect with a lot of really talented people that you wouldnB次元官网网址檛 meet otherwise. ItB次元官网网址檚 sad to see the end of the production because you become a family with each show.B次元官网网址�

Director Drew Kemp, who has been with the Sooke Harbour Players for 18 months, brings more than 50 years of experience to the group. His background includes 30 years as a drama teacher in the Victoria school system, and 17 years as head of the musical theatre faculty with the Courtenay Youth Music Centre.

B次元官网网址淓very director starts with a concept for a show,B次元官网网址� said Kemp, a graduate of Banff School of Fine Arts. B次元官网网址淚 went back to Dickens original novel to try and create on stage how the story was written. The scenes are built to be visually engaging, and the story is great entertainment for people of all ages.B次元官网网址�

Rehearsals started at the end of June and kicked into high gear in August. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going through some fine-tuning now,B次元官网网址� Kemp said. B次元官网网址淢y philosophy has always been to put out out a product thatB次元官网网址檚 worthy of patronage. People are paying for the performance, so we owe them a high level of quality.B次元官网网址�

Andrew Donnelly, president of Sooke Harbour Players, said a good turnout is essential to keeping community theatre alive. B次元官网网址淥liver should appeal to a broad audience of children to grandparents, so I hope we fill the theatre every night. ThereB次元官网网址檚 lots of family involvement in this show. We h氓ve three sisters and some parents working with their kids,B次元官网网址� said Donnelly, whose wife, Susan Browne, is part of the production.

Oliver runs from Nov. 10 to 25 at the Edward Milne Community School Theatre, Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and under 16 of age, with family packages for two parents and two children under 16 for $35. Tickets are available at the Shoppers Drug Marts in Sooke and Langford, and the Stick in the Mud coffee shop. For tickets or more information, call Donnelly at 250-507-4979, or visit sookeharbourplayers.com.