A cast of 10 local actors performed Death by Chocolate, a whodunit comedy/ mystery by popular playwright Craig Sodaro, in Blaine Lake March 10 and 11.
The casting parts were, of course, customized to the individualized personalities of the actors.
Envision the office of private eye Nick Noir. It's not what you think and, immediately, the audience gains an insightful view of what this detective is like. Dave Horton captures the true essence of this character complete with his make-shift office, a typewriter stacked on crates in a back alley. Noir's faithful secretary Selma, played by Shelley Clouthier, sits under an umbrella as she pounds away at the typewriter. It does not take long before the audience realizes that Selma is smitten with the private eye and her problem-solving techniques are keener than the detective's.
The audience is introduced to the entire cast once the play moves into the Precious Perks Coffee Shoppe owned by twin sisters Coco and Bonbon Purvis.
Coco, played by Teresa Bowie, confirmed the audience's suspicions while Susan Protz stamped authority throughout the play as she portrayed the sophisticated, bossy Bonbon Purvis.
Nicole Ryland had the audience laughing as she played the aspiring country singer Bobbie Sue Cash, the waitress who could recite the coffee menu at such a speed as to make the options nearly incomprehensible to customers.
A unique effect of the play was the "freeze frame" technique where Noir would talk to the audience explaining his line of thought while the onstage cast would freeze in position.
The cast consisted of two Grade 12 students Shelley Clouthier, who did an incredible job in her part(s) as Selma and donning other disguises, and Alex Timm whose mystified character was accentuated by the beard. Timm's character of Henry Higgens Hickenbottom was front and centre and often had the audience giggling with his expressions and gestures.
Other suspects displaying impressive acting skills included Francois Lepew played by Glen Bowie, the French customer who was later revealed as an Interpol member; the journalist Georgia Gore who was the second victim, played by Gertie Postnikoff; Juniper Berry by Nicole Zdimalova and Yolanda Lamb, the grieving widow, played by Gill Pearson.
It was a play that kept the audience on its toes especially as Noir shifted smoothly into and out of the 'freeze frame' scenes. It was impossible not to smile and laugh at the countless one-liners throughout the play.
Proceeds from the production were divided between the Blaine Lake library, Blaine Lake playschool co-operative and D.A.R.E. program.
The Blaine Lake library is a branch of the Wapitit Regional Library and offers the general public access to thousands upon thousands of reading and visual material. Patrons of all ages can enjoy borrowing books, magazines, reference material, fiction and non-fiction books on a variety of topics.
Blaine Lake playschool co-operative is a non-profit organization serving the youngest citizens of Blaine Lake and area. Playschool's main objective is to prepare children aged three to four years of age for elementary school, making the transition a smooth one.
The Drug Awareness Resistance Program (DARE) is designed to equip Grade 5 students with the skills to recognize and resist social pressures to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, drugs and violence. Constable Nicole Zdimalova of the Blaine Lake RCMP detachment is the educator of the 10-week program taught in the classroom setting. The effects of alcohol, drugs and violence does not just affect the immediate person, it affects the entire community.
