Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
BRISTOL, SHAWVILLE
Dec. 16-17, 2017
The classic Christmas tale of George Bailey learning just how much he’s helped better his community was brought to life in two performances over the weekend, benefitting two churches.
The Pontiac Community Players put on a live radio play rendition of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life on Saturday and Sunday night, at the low cost of free entry for their audience.
“I’d never actually seen the whole movie until September,” said director Greg Graham. “I had seen most of the movie but only in little snippets.”
Nonetheless, he set out to adapt the script in September, with a first reading by the actors taking place in October and the whole thing snowballing into place with weekly practices for last weekend’s shows.
Being a radio play, the performance was put on with actors approaching the mic and reading their lines aloud, in various, quick-to-change costumes, dependant on their character. Except for lead roles, most actors played two or three characters throughout.
“That was a challenge to consider, making sure actors weren’t speaking to themselves in two different roles,” said Graham.
This meant an actor could never play two characters that spoke directly after one another, so that the audience can properly follow who said what.
As well, another challenge lies in fitting all the favourite scenes from a two-hour long movie into a play that was half the time in length.
“Everybody has their favourite parts, right?” said Graham. “We had to get all the scenes right.”
For the actors and actresses, who may be more accustomed to running, jumping and dancing across the stage as they deliver the lines, the challenge came when they had to stay with their mic, as it was placed on the stage.
For others, including the lead actor, the challenge came when he had to encompass the beloved role of George Bailey, balancing the serious aspect of the man and the sharp-witted nature, too.
“I found it a bit different, I’m so used to being the comedic personality,” said Connor Stephens, who played George Bailey. “I found it harder to be more straight edge.”
Joining Stephens onstage in lead roles were Meagan Pelletier as Mary, Peter Haughton as Clarence, Craig Young as Uncle Billy, and Tim Perry as Potter. The rest of the roles were rounded out by Cheryl Campbell, Emilie Coté-Ryshpan, Jim Duncan, Nora Duncan, Alyssa Graham, Gord Graham, John Grant, Barbara Haughton, Deb Stephens, Leona Tanguay, Carole Valin, and Rick Valin.
Providing musical accompaniment, during and before the show, was Matt Lottes and some of his students from Pontiac High School, Zach Cameron, Calvin Perry and Nolan Wrinn. Sound effects were managed by Tanya-Leigh Maguire, who was meticulous in her synchronization of glass breaking and the like, all throughout the play.
Though there was free entrance, small donations were asked to be donated to the hosting churches, St. Andrew’s Knox United Church in Bristol for the Saturday show and the Shawville United Church the next night.
“They’re two churches that make for great venues for putting on a show,” said Graham.
Since there was no charge for admission, Graham wasn’t sure exactly how many people attended, but he said the Bristol church was near full and had a capacity of 120. Shawville was also near capacity, being able to house close to 200 people.
As for why Graham chose to do this play, it was quite simple, especially in the communities it was performed in.
“A lot of us can identify with it,” said Graham. “It’s kind of a story that talks to a lot of us here. We want to grow up and travel far off or make change in the world, but things change. George serves his community and his community serves him. We’re all about community, and it fits right.”
Those that missed the weekend performances still have one more chance to check it out before Christmas, as Valley Heritage Radio joined the group for their dress rehearsal on Dec. 11.
“They’ve recorded our dress rehearsal and they’re going to broadcast it at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve,” said Graham.
Besides those that missed it, the broadcast will also give the actors a chance to hear themselves perform, too.
“I’ll be checking it out as we head into the city to pick up my sister, but I’m sure I’ll be cringing the whole time,” said Stephens, with a laugh.
