CUT: Dal AC Theatre Society members, from left, Edward Swan of Debert, Kayla Wolfe of Truro, Mark Canfield of Malagash and Vanessa Gerber of Fredericton rehearse a scene from ‘Rumors,’ a Neil Simon production the society is performing from March 21 to 23 at Alumni Theatre in Bible Hill. Matt Veno – Truro Daily News
By Raissa Tetanish
Truro Daily News
BIBLE HILL – With a smaller cast this year, Kent Loughead knew it was the perfect time for the Dalhousie Agricultural College Theatre Society to present ‘Rumors,’ a play written by American playwright Neil Simon.
The production consists of 10 characters, precisely the amount of students who came out for auditions.
“Our institution is science-based so we have been quite fortunate to have a cast with some musical theatre background,” said Loughead, noting that in previous years auditions have attracted as many as 18 students.
Written in the late 1980s, ‘Rumors’ is one of Simon’s most popular plays and it features four affluent couples gathering in the posh suburban residence of the New York deputy mayor in celebration of his 10th wedding anniversary.
The hostess goes missing and the host is found in his bedroom with a self-inflicted gunshot to his earlobe. In addition, the servants are missing and no food has been laid out for the party.
Comic complications arise when everyone decides to do everything possible to hide the events from the police and media. As confusions mount, the evening spins off into classical farcical hilarity.
“To me, it’s a true farce,” said Loughead, who has spent the last 14 years directing the theatre society (formerly known as the NSAC Theatre Society). “It’s not a slapstick comedy. The writing is fast-paced so there’s something going on almost all the time. There’s very little downtime.”.
Loughead has enjoyed working with the cast through rehearsals.
“Because it’s fast-paced, there are a lot of things I’ve been able to do to it. And the cast thoroughly loves the script,” he said.
The production runs March 21 to 23 at the Dalhousie Agriculture Campus Alumni Theatre. It begins at 7:30 each night.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door or at MacQuarries Pharmasave on the Esplanade.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Twitter: @TDNRaissa
IF YOU GO:
What: Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors’
Who: Dal AC Theatre Society
When: March 21-23, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dal AC Alumni Theatre
Featuring: Ashley Mullins, Dartmouth; Anthony Waterman, Caledonia; Vanessa Gerber, Fredericton, N.B.; Mark Canfield, Malagash; Edward Swan, Debert; Kayla Wolfe, Truro; Tyler Jollimore, Halifax; Emily Syme, Christ Church, New Zealand; Julie MacKenzie, Salmon River; and Amanda Levy, Meadow Springs
Tickets: $12/adult, $5/student – available at MacQuarries Pharmasave on the Esplanade, and at the door
NOTE: Contains offensive language – parental guidance suggested
