A rollicking good time

by Derek Dunn

derek.dunn@metroland.com

Last night may have been opening night of Rural Root Theatre’s spring production, this time in support of the Carp clinic’s X-Ray Vision Campaign, but there are still three more chances to see the high-energy musical.

All for Your Delight sees the Constance Bay community centre transformed into a turn-of-the-last-century music hail, complete with gold tassels, a red carpet with velvet ropes, and incredible costumes on everyone in the troupe from the front of the house to onstage performers.

“The costumes are really great.  Simon (Wellman) and Claudette (Brisson) really ‘deserve a lot of credit for the vision they had to create the hall,” said organizer Helen Weeden during Tuesday’s preview night, when special guests from the Anglican and Lorne Sutherland women’s institutes attended.

“We worked hard all winter on the singing and dancing,” she said. “It’s a highly entertaining night, especially with the amazing costumes and singing.”

Music halls were rambunctious affairs, with plenty of eating, drinking and smoking both on stage and in the audience.  Viewers would heckle and join in the singing and performing.

While Rural Root hopes the former is minimal, they enthusiastically encourage the latter. (Lyrics are provided.)

According to the program: “We give you a variety of song, dance comedy and magic, behind which lurks a tale of romance and deception.”

Ivo Mokros is both directing and acting in All for Your Delight.  He is up for the challenge, but was winded when asked to reflect on the rehearsal process.

“It’s been a lot of work, a lot,” Mokros said. ‘A lot of logistics. A lot of people. But it’s really come together. It’s going to be a lot of fun".

Performers include Jim Clarke, Ron Gardner, Jennifer Boucher, Valerie Taller, Donna Balkan, Kirsten Carroll Somoza, Lee Powell, Charlene Gardner, Katherine Ross, Matt Dufresne, Ivo Mokros, and Donna Balkan.

Musicians are Carol Bode, Bill Burton, David Hamilton, Paul Klazek, Crystal Payne, Jill Ross and Robert Thompson.

Others include Anne Mokros, Melissa Demers, Susan Henderson, Carolyn Walsh, Carol Mair, Penny Potter, Sandy Rees, Simon Wellman, Ian Glen, Marlayne Glen, Wendy Sauve, Pat Weir, Lois Thompson, Vera Jones, Helen MacHardy, Cathy Rodger, Diane Brown, Roy Ballantine, Lachlan Campbell, Morgan O’Dell, Martin Weeden, Marion Pogson, Barb O’Dell, Jim Raley, Ron Evans, Lucie Roy, Nathan Dufresne, Jenn McMillan, Bruce Buie, and Kelly McKellar.

Rural Root’s fall show is A Little Piece of Heaven, which will run from Oct. 19 to 22.

Note: This item was published in May 12, 2011 issue of West Carleton Review.