(Updated
1:30 p.m., Feb. 25)
Annual Missoula Theatre visit produces another 'Treasure'
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
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Jim
Hawkins, played by Daniel Everett, looks on
as Long John Silver, played by MCT tour director
and actor Jacob Hawk, addresses the audience
durng the production of Treasure Island earlier
this month. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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The
Missoula Childrens Theatre company (MCT) made its
annual visit to Orléans earlier this month, providing
60 kids with a theatre production experience they wont
soon forget.
The
MCT is based in Missoula, Montana where they train young
producers/actors, known as presenters, who
then fan out across North America to bring the joy of
theatre to communties like Orléans.
The
presenters travel in pairs using their own vehicles packed
full of costumes and a backdrop for the stage. To keep
costs down, the presenters are billetted with host families
who help publicize and promote the local productions.
Auditions
for this years traveling production of Treasure
Island were held on Monday during which each budding
actor is cast as a member of the ensemble. The younger
kids usually form the chorus while the teenagers are cast
in the lead roles. Rehearsals are then held throughout
the week, culminating in a pair of performances on the
Saturday.
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The
Missoula Childrens Theatre production
of Treasure Island featured a cast
of 60 young actors age seven to 17. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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Each
production also has a life lesson theme. For
instance the underlying theme of the MCT production of
Treasure Island was the importance of working
together in order to accomplish great things.
Specifically,
Long John Silver and his band of pirates had to work together
with Jim Hawkins and his ruffians in order to find the
buried treasure.
MCT
presenter Jacob Hawk was cast as Long John Silver, while
his partner, Samantha Hayes, served as director.
The
co-lead role of Jim Hawkins was played by Daniel Everett,
17, from Orléans. Capn Flint was played by
Brandon Kehoe, and Mother Hawkins was played by Megan
Maclean.
The
pirates were an assortment of crazy characters with even
crazier names like Goldie the Hun, Davey the Letterman,
Sing Sing Sam, Capn Patches, Whitey, Rosie the Red,
and Big Ol Blue.
In
the play, Long John Silver discovers that Jim Hawkins
has a treasure map for Skull Island which he found on
the body of Capn Flint who keels over and dies in
his mothers restaurant.
Silver
tricks Hawkins into joining forces and together they sail
off in search of the treasure with a crew of pirates and
conscripted town ruffians. But unbeknownst to the two
antagonists, Jims five sisters have stowed away
on the ship and plot to get them to work together and
eventually become friends.
This
is the sixth Missoula production I have attended and I
am still amazed at the ability of the cast to go from
auditions to production in just five days. It speaks volumes
about the abilities of the MCT tour directors and cast
members alike.
Auditions
for next years production will be held in early
February. If you would like an advance notice of the audition
date e-mail Kim Kimbell at kimbells-five@sympatico.ca
and she will be more than happy to put you on her contact
list.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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