Break a leg! Theatre NorthWest welcomes audiences back with new production

Theatre NorthWest will continue to hold stage readings of, ‘Hurry Hard’, a comedy about small towns and curling rinks.

The stage read concept is one of the ways the non-profit is adapting to the pandemic while continuously working to keep the theatre industry afloat in Prince George.

“This is a great opportunity for us to bring the audience back into the theatre,” explained Marnie Hamagami, Executive Director of Theatre NorthWest.

‘Hurry Hard’ is the third stage reading put on by Theatre NorthWest, the company will have one scheduled for most weekends until the end of December.

“Stage readings are not interactive in the sense that there’s very little movement from the artists,” noted Hamagami, “actors sit on their chairs and read their scripts directly so they don’t come into close contact with anyone.”

Bradley Charles is the Director of Hurry Hard, which was written by Canadian playwright, Kristen De Silva.

“It’s a very physical show, so there’s been a lot of focus translating physical comedy into a staged reading where the actors are all socially distanced,” explained Charles.

“In the show, there’s a men’s and women’s curling team that are both short members for the big bonspiel so they have to put the battle of the sexes aside to work together,” he added.

Charles explained that the first two stage readings of the show have had really great reactions from the crowds, despite the limited audience capacity.

The company is hoping to hold a full stage production in the springtime, tickets to the stage reading are available on the Theatre NorthWest website.

Theatre NorthWest is excited to welcome the community back to the theatre with Stage Readings! First up is The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde presented by Nechako Community Theatrics Society on October 10!

Health and safety protocols will be in place.#CityofPG pic.twitter.com/0WRkYCZKaY

— Theatre NorthWest (@theatrenwpg) September 30, 2020