“Clue” Wins for Set Decoration and Props at EODL Festival

Northumberland Players’ production of Clue was nominated for 8 awards and took home the Armagh Sifton-Price Adjudicator’s Award for Set Decoration and Props at the 2023-2024 Eastern Ontario Drama League Full Length Festival last weekend. Congratulations to Glen Wilson, Beth Hunt, Jody Forsyth, and Honor Sylvester on their win, and to the entire cast and production team of Clue for … Read More

The Challenges of Designing and Creating Period Costumes – Sharon Anderson

Florence Foster Jenkins was a real person.  The show – Glorious! The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World – is set in 1944.  From a Costumer’s perspective this is an opportunity to bring a realistic look to what the actors are wearing.  It takes research.  What were the fashions, the skirt lengths, the width … Read More

Heather Jopling on her one-woman show

Thirty years after writing and performing my first one-woman show, I am thrilled to present the world premiere of my fifth show, Void? What Void (Diary of an Empty Nester) at the Firehall Theatre April 5, 6, 7 & 12, 13, 14th, 2024. Being a part of the Northumberland Players family for the past 22 years has been a true privilege. I’ve … Read More

Fall in Love with this Timeless Classic Once Again – Evan Soutter

When I heard that the musical this year was announced to be “Beauty and the Beast“, I was very excited. It’s THE iconic modern era Disney story in my mind. So many iconic and beloved characters; Belle, the Beast, Mrs. Potts, Gaston, Lumiere, Cogsworth, etc… yet you can only have the opportunity to play one. The (almost) two months between … Read More

Let This Fairytale Capture Your Heart – Robyn Hawthorne

To say that stepping into the role of Belle is a dream is an understatement, it truly is an honour to get to bring this beloved character to life.  “Beauty and the Beast” is one of those classic fairytales that you just never get tired of hearing (a tale as old as time, if you will).  From the enchanting characters … Read More

Playing a Dream Role with a Dream Theatre Company

Playing the role of Mrs. Potts has always been a dream role for Kelly-Anne Moss. Kelly-Anne says: “She’s such a wonderful and caring character with so much heart, not to mention she sings the title sing of the show. It does pose certain challenges though. Making sure you can connect with the audience and convey all these character’s layers beyond an … Read More

Constructing the Set of “Beauty and the Beast”

Creating a sound, yet magical set for this classic musical is the Players’ builders’ and painters’ worthy challenge. Sure, we’ve constructed many houses and cottages, built a biplane and a bus but a French Castle and 18th Century Village buildings? Well, this is a first. The imaginative design guides the Lead builder and crew in rendering three floor-to-ceiling rotating structures, … Read More

Designing “Beauty and the Beast” – Jim Finan

We’re very lucky to have a venue as grand as the Cameco Capitol Arts Center available to us for ourannual large musical. That said, for a designer, the Capitol stage does present a few challenges. Limitedwing space and depth beyond the proscenium are hard realities. With previous shows I’ve designed orco-designed, such as “Chicago” or “Into the Woods”, the answer … Read More

Radio Interview: “A delicate and respectful approach […] to this issue”

The cast of Cottagers and Indians, Dean Smith and Karen Henkel, recently had the chance to speak with York Bell-Smith. Have a listen! Transcript York Bell-Smith: And we are joined now by Karen Henkel and Dean Smith to talk about cottages and Indians. It opens up September 15th at the Firehouse Theatre. Dean, Karen, welcome. Thank you very much for … Read More