Hockey and curling arenB次元官网网址檛 subjects you typically see played out in storylines on stage in live theatre performances.

After all, the ice component or environment is obviously difficult to replicate.

But the Chemainus Theatre staff is never one to stand on its laurels or play it safe. Anything and everything is fair game and this latest production is a fine example.

Glory, the story of the Preston Rivulettes womenB次元官网网址檚 ice hockey team from the 1930s, set the stage for the ice age in September of 2022 with a riveting account of a little-known piece of Canadiana. The hockey action sequences were brought to life with masterful choreography.

Now we have curling in the spotlight as the theatre gets into the hack for its 30th anniversary season, although the actors emphasize the sport is merely a backdrop for a comedy of epic proportions.

Emma Rendell was one of the actors in Glory and sheB次元官网网址檚 back to take a shot at Hurry Hard by Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing the parallels between the two,B次元官网网址� said Rendell, 33. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 funny to be returning here again on ice. ItB次元官网网址檚 like an unexpected niche IB次元官网网址檝e fallen into.B次元官网网址�

Rendell was born in Edmonton, grew up in South Surrey and just moved to Vancouver a year ago after living abroad for a while in London, England. She studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for two years.

Rendell said acting has been in her blood from an early age.

B次元官网网址淓ver since I was little B次元官网网址� my parents are both in the arts and some of my siblings are in the arts B次元官网网址� so it runs in the family.B次元官网网址�

Rendell attended the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria when she was 17.

Returning to the Chemainus Theatre stage for a part in this clever comedy is exciting for Rendell.

B次元官网网址淧eople who know curling will get a big kick out of it,B次元官网网址� she said.

The theatreB次元官网网址檚 season sponsor, Brent Dellebuur of Duncan Iron Works, an avid curler, will surely be loving this.

However, donB次元官网网址檛 despair all you non-curlers. B次元官网网址淭he curling has honestly not that much to do with it, other than the setting,B次元官网网址� said Rendell, who finds similarities between her character Sandy in this performance and her role as Hilda Ranscombe in Glory plus her own personality.

Veteran actor Raugi Yu as Bill Mead is making his Chemainus Theatre debut, although heB次元官网网址檚 well-known in the industry for his long career in film and TV. He also teaches and coaches actors and has been to the Chemainus Theatre before to see A Streetcar Named Desire many years ago and, more recently, Gaslight, last year.

B次元官网网址淵ou try to diversify,B次元官网网址� said Yu, 51, of his many roles in the industry.

He grew up in Montreal and took drama classes in Grades 7-8 .

B次元官网网址淚 fell in love and I never wanted to do anything else,B次元官网网址� Yu said.

He graduated from Dawson College in Montreal and then moved west with further schooling at UBC in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program before branching out into many roles.

Yu said heB次元官网网址檚 even been recognized in Chemainus at Country Grocer and the Great Canadian Dollar Store during the lead-up to the start of Hurry Hard for his appearances in Hallmark movies on TV.

B次元官网网址淚f anyone Googles my name, youB次元官网网址檒l see the Hallmark movies IB次元官网网址檝e done,B次元官网网址� he indicated.

Yu is also well-known for kidsB次元官网网址� shows Mr. Young and Some Assembly Required.

HeB次元官网网址檚 thrilled to now be acting at the Chemainus Theatre. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great company, great people B次元官网网址� the people matter,B次元官网网址� Yu said.

With Hurry Hard, B次元官网网址渢he whole playB次元官网网址檚 written so well,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淭he jokes are every 10 seconds, something funny is being said or happening, also not in a fluffy way.

B次元官网网址淚 think this play kind of has it all. There are some moments that are broader than others, something for everyone.B次元官网网址�

Yu said his character BillB次元官网网址檚 reality makes him funny and heB次元官网网址檚 still in love with his ex-wife of seven years.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a little bit emotionally stunted,B次元官网网址� noted Yu. B次元官网网址淗e doesnB次元官网网址檛 like conflict, heB次元官网网址檚 got a lot of heart.B次元官网网址�

ThatB次元官网网址檚 a total departure from the true Yu, he added.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 super direct. IB次元官网网址檓 not afraid to show love. If IB次元官网网址檓 in those moments, I address it right away.B次元官网网址�

Other cast members include: Sean Baker (Terry), Naomi Costain (Darlene) and Dylan Floyde (Johnny).

The play is directed by the Chemainus TheatreB次元官网网址檚 artistic director Mark DuMez. The rest of the creative team includes: set designer Hans Saefkow, costume designer Crystal Hanson, lighting designer Emily Trepanier, stage manager Melissa Cameron and assistant stage manager Katerina Sokyrko.

The setting is winter on a present day at a curling club in Stayner, Ontario.

The set looks a lot like the lobby of the Duncan Curling Club. Photos of past club presidents that hang in the background are representative of the curling clubB次元官网网址檚 upper lounge except with YuB次元官网网址檚 photo neatly tucked among them as the current president.

The play revolves around Sandy and Bill, a formerly married couple whose curling team split up when they did. Separated into a menB次元官网网址檚 team and a womenB次元官网网址檚 team who begrudgingly share the ice at the local curling club, the two teams are set to compete in a big regional bonspiel against a neighbouring community. But a medical emergency leaves the menB次元官网网址檚 team one player short, and the two teams need to reconcile their differences to work as one if thereB次元官网网址檚 any hope of taking home the trophy.

Hurry Hard is on until April 14. For tickets, call the theatre box office 1-800-565-7738 or click .

Chemainus TheatreB次元官网网址檚 anniversary season continues with Jeeves at Sea (May 10-June 2), 9 to 5 The Musical (June 28-Aug. 25), The Piano Teacher (Sept. 27-Oct. 20), and Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley (Nov. 22-Dec. 22).