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Coquitlam theatre company's last show in Canada 150 series

Bingo is directed by Coquitlam resident Lisa Pope.
bingo
Leona Atkinson in Bingo

When members of Coquitlam’s Stage 43 Theatrical Society met last spring to figure out its lineup for this season — a year that coincide with Canada’s 150th anniversary — director Lisa Pope went straight for the work of her favourite Canadian playwright.

The Coquitlam resident recalled Daniel MacIvor performing in his plays in Vancouver and Victoria years back and was eager to share one of his comedies with Tri-City audiences as part of the company’s L’oh’L run at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

Bingo, which opens next Thursday, tells the story of five former classmates — Bitsy, Boots, Dookie, Heffer and Nurk — at their 30th high school reunion. They talk about their glory days but, the more they drink, the more they reveal details of their lives.

“It’s a tale that a lot of people can relate to,” said show producer Claire Pinkett, the president of Stage 43. “Lots happens between high school and present day.”

While MacIvor is known more for his dramatic scripts, he penned Bingo to appeal to his working-class brother and his friends, Pope said. As a result, the nostalgia piece offers something for everyone — no matter what their background or upbringing.

“I can only imagine he must of loved it,” she said of MacIvor’s brother, “because there are lots of references in the play to him reaching out and trying to relate with him.”

Pope added, “In rehearsals, we had such a blast reading it. It’s not just comedy: There is a lot of depth and our actors had a good time digging into their characters.”

Three Tri-City residents are in Bingo — Leona Atkinson (Bitsy), Michelle Berg (Boots) and Detton Lake (Dookie) — while Aaron Davis takes on Heffer and Pierce Ivan is Nurk. 

Bingo is the company entry into this year’s Fraser Valley Zone Festival, which required all participating clubs to carry the Canada 150 banner. 

Besides Stage 43, the TheatreBC festival will see also entries from Opening Nite Theatre Society (Mission); Emerald Pig Theatrical Society (Maple Ridge); the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts; Moving Mirror Productions (New Westminster); Langley Players; Chilliwack Players Guild; and the Surrey Little Theatre. The fest runs May 21 to 27 at the White Rock Players’ Club. Stage 43 performs on May 23 with Fran Gebhard adjudicating.

Meanwhile, Pinkett said Stage 43 is now fine-tuning its program for 2017-’18. 

Its shows will be based around a Love and Friendship theme and will include a musical called The Fantastics, she said.

As well, it’s hoping to host a new work called A Bench in the Sun. And Pinkett said should Stage 43 secured the rights, it may have the western Canada premiere. In that show by Ron Clark, two longtime friends bicker as they settle into a retirement home.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com

 

THE DETAILS

 

Bingo runs at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from April 27 to 30 and May 3 to 6. Opening night includes a reception after the show with refreshments from sponsors The Saint St. Grill and Blue Heron Fruit Winery. Call 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca. Proceeds from ticket sales support the I Am Someone Campaign to End Bullying.