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“It takes a thoroughly good woman to do a thoroughly stupid thing..”
Oscar Wilde at his wittiest.
Against the scene of a corrupt society, Oscar Wilde's 1892 classic has spawned a hatful of oft-quoted witticisms, but also juxtaposes stylish comedy with sly commentary on the morals of Victorian society, particularly regarding women and marriage.
Lady Windermere's 21st birthday ball is gate-crashed by the notorious Mrs Erlynne at the invitation of Lord Windermere who knows she is his wife's mother, thought to be long dead. Lady Windermere, having heeded gossip about a supposed affair between the two, decides to leave her husband and run away with the handsome Lord Darlington who has declared his love for her. Mrs Erlynne, seeing history about to repeat itself, intervenes and all ends happily. Lady Windermere is sadder and wiser, still not knowing Mrs Erlynne is her real mother, Lord Windermere plans to take the family for a rest in the country, and Mrs Erlynne captures a wealthy new husband.
The production stars Tennille Read as Lady Windermere, Patrick Brown as Lord Windermere, Tricia Brioux as the Duchess of Berwick, and Dinah Watts, voted a favourite at last years SummerWorks, as Mrs. Erlynne.
BARBARA LAROSE
- Director
Barbara studied theatre at Concordia University in her home town of Montreal and has worked as an actor, director, dramaturge and acting coach for many years. At the Alumnae Theatre, Barbara has previously directed Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig, Michel Tremblay's The Real World?, and most recently, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. She has also indulged her interest in the development of new works and has directed Really Great Hats, The Meeting, The Poets Wife and Time and Longings as well as the staged readings of Spitting Distance and Fast Track in successive New Ideas Festivals. Other directing credits include the critically acclaimed Toronto Fringe productions of Edward Albee's The American Dream for Fireplay Productions and Millennium Madness Sale! for Thick and Thin Theatre as well as the box-office hit Life on a Diet for By the Word Productions. Barbara is truly delighted to be working with such a fabulous cast and crew on Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan.
ELLEN R. GREEN
- Assistant Director
As a new member of the Alumnae Theatre, Ellen would like to thank all those who welcomed her with kindness and the many suggestions of how she could be useful. First she sought out a big yellow duck, toddlers legs(!) and snakes in a can as Props Manager for Baby and the Bathwater. Now, she has the marvellous good fortune to be working with the wonderfully talented Barbara Larose on Lady Windermere's Fan. Ellen extends her sincere thanks to Barbara for this opportunity, and for her trust and generosity during the intense rehearsal process. Thanks to Margot for her skill and her patience with a newbie, and to the cast and crew for their unending commitment and dedication. A few favourite directing credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods, Anything Goes, Noises off, Brighton Beach Memories, Harvey, and most recently, 7 Stories.
ANDREW BATTEN
- Mr. Dumby
Andrew has many fond memories of performing in some ancient Alumnae productions including The Love of the Nightingale, The Trojan Women and The Rivals, where he was lucky enough to first meet Dinah. Of course he also remembers many happy excursions in those days to the local watering holes where he was lucky enough to first meet Trisha. Recently Andrew has devoted himself to raising the kids (Sarah, Mike and little Eliot) and to writing the odd play (some very odd indeed) but he is happy to return again to the Alumnae stage in an attempt to put the dumb back in Dumby.
TRICIA BRIOUX
- The Duchess of Berwick
Tricia has performed in numerous shows, and includes among her favourites Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Gina Mae Sabatini in George F. Walker's Beautiful City and Lady in Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending. She also co-produced and starred as Mommy in another Albee classic, The American Dream, for the 2005 Toronto Fringe Festival. Tricia has made forays into film and television, and most notably appeared in DeGrassi: The Next Generation. Tricia also works as a voice-over artist and has voiced numerous commercials for both radio and TV. She also recorded her first animation series, Nelvana's Di-Gata Defenders, in which she provided the voices of two “evil” characters. Tricia can also be heard as the narrator of the dance film, Roxanna, due for release in 2007.
TIM F. BRADDOCK
- Parker
This is Tim's first show with The Alumnae Theatre. Tim is a recent entry into the thespian world, particularly Equity, having done a number of minor roles in film, student films, television and commercials. For many, many years Tim has headlined the Annual Czars of Industry AGM Comedy Special as Father Chastity. Tim is a graduate of McGill University in Engineering, so where the heck did this love of theatre come from? Thanks to the loving support of my greatest fan, my wife, Mary Ann.
PATRICK BROWN
- Lord Windermere
Patrick is excited to be working with Alumnae Theatre for the first time. Although his days are spent as an engineer in the pharmaceutical industry, he manages to find time to keep himself immersed in the arts. Past credits include The Shop on Main Street (Te-Amim Music Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Alexander Singers) and Emma (Amicus Theatre). He also appears in the indie film, Sidekick (Victory Man Productions), and sings in the Toronto-based barbershop/acapella quartet, Fusion.
HEATHER COUCH
- Rosalie
This is Heather's debut at the Alumnae Theatre Company and she is thrilled to be here working on this production of Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde. Heather is a recent graduate of the Brock University where she received an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree, Majoring in Dramatic Arts. Her most recent theatre credits include Duckling Smith in Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. She has also appeared in several independent Canadian films. Heather is very excited and thankful to be working on this production with such wonderful people. ENJOY THE SHOW!!!
STEPHEN FLETT
- Lord Augustus Lorton
Steve is thrilled to return to the Alumnae for the fourth time. Previous
Alumnae appearances include Shred This, The Evil That Men Do and Reckless. Stephen has won acting awards for his work in The Good Doctor (East Side), The Affections of May (Amicus), and Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (Toronto Irish) and nominations for Dancock's Dance (Amicus), A Man For All Seasons (East Side), and Translations (Domino). Some favourite roles include Uncle Vanya, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, and Stanley in Run For Your Wife. Recent credits include Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband (Village), It Was Kit (Fringe), Out of Order (Amicus), and the role the Stage Manager in Our Town (Village). In addition to acting, Stephen has directed several shows, and is co-author of Fringe hits Pseudolus (Cabbagetown) and the recently published Shakespeare's Comic Olympics (Upstart Crow). Up next is The Dover Road (Amicus).
GINA HETLAND
- Lady Agatha Carlisle
Gina Rae makes her Toronto debut in this fabulous Alumnae Theatre production. She's moved from humble beginnings on the family farm in Saskatchewan to training in the three theatrical disciplines of acting, singing and dancing at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, B.C. Gina is thrilled to be in the creative and exciting city of Toronto and to be performing with such a talented fun cast! Previous credits include Juliet, in Goodnight Desdemona, (Good Morning Juliet), (CCPA), Ariel Moore in Footloose (Broadway North). Most recently Gina played Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Broadway North). Next up is a leading singing and acting role in the North Toronto Players adapted production of Gilbert and Sullivans operetta, Yeoman of the Guard. Gina dedicates this performance to her grandfather John, who “courted” her grandmother by quoting witty and romantic lines from Oscar Wilde; for perhaps, without those lines, she would not be here today!
ANDREA IRWIN
- Lady Plymdale/Lady Windermere understudy
This is Andrea's third show with Alumnae, following Baby With the Bathwater and Moonlight & Valentino. Other shows dear to her heart include Romeo & Juliet with the Flowercity Theatre Fest and Evil Dead: The Musical with Just for Laughs. Upcoming roles include Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas for TaylorMADE Productions. Andrea is a graduate of Queen's University and George Brown Theatre School. Love and thanks to the Irwins and the Browns for their continued support. Special thanks to friend, husband and castmate Patrick.
CONOR O'HEGARTY
- Lord Darlington
This is Conor's second appearance with Alumnae theatre after last year's New Idea's Festival. Other theatre credits include The Glass Menagerie, The Subject was Roses, Philadelphia Here I Come, A Life and The Caine Mutiny Court Marshal.
GLORIA LAMBERT
- Lady Stutfield
Gloria has truly enjoyed stepping back into the Victorian era in Lady Windermere's Fan, where the word, “proper” has taken on a life of its own. She has previously performed on the Alumnae stage in productions of Orpheus Descending and Summer and Smoke, as well as, in the New Ideas Festival in two original plays, Underground Rage and Welcome to Sunnyvale Acres. While working with a variety of other theatre companies in the GTA, some favourite roles have been M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Violet in Blithe Spirit, Barbara in Social Security and Jean in Funny Money. As Lady Stutfield might have said . . . It's been a “delightful” experience working with everyone involved with this production of Oscar Wilde's bittersweet and very witty classic.
TINA MCCULLOCH
- Mrs. Cowper-Cowper
Tina is very pleased to be swanning about in a gorgeous costume - don't blink! - and working with Barbara again. Previously seen at Alumnae Theatre in She Stoops To Conquer, Summer And Smoke and Ten Lost Years. Roles elsewhere include time-travelling dominatrix Poopay in Communicating Doors (Theatre Aurora), tart-tongued Connie in The Mai (Toronto Irish Players), and the title role in Jane Eyre (Amicus Productions). Lo these many years ago, Barbara directed her in a SummerWorks play called Partial Virgin/Total Jerk. Tina played the virgin.
CATHY MCKIM
- Cecil Graham
This is Cathy's Alumnae main stage debut (yay!), but not her first time in a trouser role - if you count the childhood dress-up box. A George Brown Theatre School grad, Cathy's recent performances include The View from Here (Toronto Fringe, 2004), Celebrity (New Ideas, 2004) and An Appearance of Jack & Spider (New Ideas, 2003). Also a published short story writer and emerging playwright, Cathy has written The Girls Do Brunch (New Ideas/Nuit Blanche, 2006), as well as the coming out scenes for She Never Bought Me an Easy-Bake Oven (Madrigal Theatre/Easy-Bake Collective, 2002). You may also have seen her working behind the bar. Many thanks to Barbara, Ellen, Margot, Nancy and an amazing cast and production team.
CAROL MCLENNAN
- Lady Jedburgh
I am thrilled to be in my first part for Alumnae Theatre. It's been a real treat to work under Barbara Larose's direction and a joy to work with this cast. Enjoy the show!
TENNILLE READ
- Lady Windermere
Tennille is pleased to be back at Alumnae Theatre. Her first production here was Mermaids' Tears for the New Ideas Festival. Other favourite theatre credits include An Ideal Husband (Village Players), Tricycle (Baby Grand Theatre) and Orpheus (Vogt Studio). Active in both film and television, Tennille has been involved in feature length and short films such as Versus Ivan (KCFF), Goshawk (CDISFF), A Dying Fall (CBC), Mystery at Mansfield Manor and several others. Many thanks go to Barbara for her very insightful direction, and the rest of the fantastic cast and crew who have made this production wickedly charming. Also, special love and thanks to my family and to Chris.
DAVID SIMOR
- Mr. Hopper
David is extremely pleased to be involved with his first Alumnae Theatre Production. Favourite past roles include Lysander in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Marcel in Marcel Pursued by the Hounds and Doctor Sugar in Suddenly Last Summer. The object of art is to give life a shape (Jean Anouilh)
ALLEGRA SHEPHERD
- Maid/entre acte
Allegra is a student of Malvern Collegiate and is grateful to the Alumnae for this awesome opportunity!
DINAH WATTS
- Mrs. Erlynne
Dinah has appeared in many previous productions at the Alumnae including Heretics, The Sea, Cloud Nine, On the Verge, The Rivals, The Real World? and most recently, Harold Pinter's Ashes to Ashes. Her work with other Toronto companies includes Audience/Unveiling/Protest for The Co., Ines de Castro for Whetstone Productions, Babes not Bombs, The Lysistrata Project for Belltower Productions, Titus Andronicus and King John for Shakespeare in the Rough, Romeo and Juliet for CanStage, The Case of the Wandering Corpse at the Edinburgh Festival, The American Dream, The Revengers Tragedy and Forensic Tables at various Fringes, and Finish Line, Sparta and Jellied Salad all at SummerWorks.
TABITHA KEAST
- Co-producer
Tabitha is a Toronto-based actor with experience in theatre, commercials and voiceovers. Theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Alchemy Theatre), Poking the Dead Cat (Trafalgar 24/Driftwood Theatre), Homeward Bound (Alumnae Theatre), Possession (New Ideas 05), Southern Belle (Director/New Ideas '05), In the Booth (Toronto Fringe Festival) and co-producing the 2006 New Ideas Festival here at Alumnae Theatre. Media credits include the short film Leper for Dopedying Productions, voiceover work on the short film Karma as well as for WorldWide Television, and many commercials all of which share the common goal of feeding our rampant consumerism in which she apparently plays a supporting role.
KATHRYN MALEK
- Associate Producer
Kathryn is an actor/writer/director. Recently she played Miss Pringle in Baby With the Bathwater for the Alumnae Theatre. Other credits include the independent films, This Year's Girl, Wish upon A Star, Best Friends Forever and To Hell, With You. Upcoming is Death To Dating in New Ideas 2007.
RICK JONES
- Sound Design
This is Ricks first attempt at creating sound design. Previous involvement in the aural arts at Alumnae includes working as arranger and music director of Alumnae's own version of The Clif Clefs for The Sisters Rosenzweig, and composing the soundscape for his own short play, The Meeting, at the New Ideas Festival 2004. Writing/songwriting credits include the musicals Millennium Madness Sale, Wild Moose Chase, The Girls Weekend and Chatroom. He has also provided music for several short films. Many thanks to JR Rudge for mentoring assistance in all the technical aspects of my virgin sound design experience.
ED ROSING
- Lighting Designer
Ed majored in English and Drama at Western Reserve University in Cleveland and continued his theatrical studies at Yale Drama School as well as in London, England at the Central School of Drama. Recent favourite shows are Baby with the Bathwater (Alumnae Theatre), The Love of Don Perlimplin and Belisa in the Garden (Robert Gill Theatre), Scenes from Shakespeare (Abrams Studio Theatre). Upcoming: The Chekhov Vaudevilles at the Robert Gill Theatre and Love's Kitchen, Scenes from Shakespeare at the Abrams, both at the end of February. Ed is delighted to be working with the Alumnae group again after all the fun we had working on Baby with the Bathwater.
NANCY SHEPHERD
- Assistant Stage Manager
This is Nancy's first show with Alumnae. Thanks for the experience!
DOROTHY WILSON
- Props Mistress /Assistant Stage Manager
Dorothy just loves doing props, especially in a show like this one, where there's such a variety of props need, many of them in period. Plus, this is such an interesting show, with a great cast and wonderful Directors and Producers. Previous credits at The Alumnae include Props for Summer and Smoke, The Real World? and She Stoops to Conquer, and costume for The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls, Absurd Person Singular and Criminal Hearts.
Win a chance to stay in the Oscar Wilde Suite at Toronto's Banting House Inn!
One complimentary night in suite, parking & breakfast included. Offer valid until May 31, 2007.
Banting House is located at 73 Homewood Ave., in Wellesley/Sherbourne area.
Website: www.bantinghouse.com
Just drop your business card or name/phone number/email in box in theatre lobby. One winner will be drawn after the show closes on February 3, 2007, and notified by phone or e-mail by February 5.
ALUMNAE THEATRE COMPANY
70 Berkeley Street
Toronto, Ontario • M5A 2W6
Phone: 416-364-4170
Email: contactus@alumnaetheatre.com
