ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chris Wolfe ● Staples Business Depot, Marine Drive, North Vancouver
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
On behalf of the cast and crew of Bells of Hell, I thank you for coming to our performance
tonight. The cast and crew have spend countless hours nursing and rehearsing their roles
and their efforts have been truly awesome. My personal thanks to each and everyone of
them. My thanks to North Vancouver Community Players for giving me the opportunity to
direct once again. Enjoy the show.
Bob Bradley
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What better way to chase away the gloomy start of the year than coming to see a comedy!
The author of tonight’s play, Sir John Mortimer, was an active lawyer from 1948 until he
retired in 1984. Somehow, he found time (by rising early before due at court) to write over
50 books, plays and scripts! He is probably best known for his Rumpole of the Bailey that
was shown for over 30 years on BBC and is thought by some to be partially autobiographical. He also worked as a consultant for the US comedy Boston Legal. Sadly Sir John passed
away on January 16, 2009 at the age of 85. He was always a little irreverent in poking fun
at religion as well as 20th century England’s prejudices and contradictions. I am sure you
will find tonight’s production provides you with a well earned laugh. Enjoy the show!
Fran Heaney
2008/2009 SEASON
The next production at Hendry Hall will be A Walk in the Woods, a drama by Lee Blessing,
directed by Heather Sharpe. The place is a “pleasant woods on the outskirts of Geneva”
where two superpower arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after
long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. The Russian, Botvinnik, a seasoned veteran
who has mastered the Soviet “hard line” is urbane and humorous but, at the same time, profoundly cynical about what the current sessions can accomplish. His young American
counterpart, Honeyman, a newcomer to the arms-control talks, is a bit stuffy and pedantic,
but also fervently idealistic about what can – and must – be achieved through perseverance
and honest bargaining. They continue their informal meetings as the talks drag on and the
seasons change, and through their absorbing and revealing conversations we become aware
both of the deepening understanding between these two wise and decent men and also the
profound frustration that they increasingly feel.
Production dates are April 10-11, April 15-18 and April 22-25 (preview April 9). Tickets
go on sale Friday, March 20 so mark your calendars and call our box office at 604-9832633 to make a reservation after that date. This production is NVCP’s Theatre BC North
Shore Zone festival entry, performing at Presentation House Theatre during May 4-9, 2009.
A comedy
by John Mortimer
directed by Bob Bradley
produced by Doreen Carlson
February 13-14, February 18-21
and February 25-28, 2009
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French (Canada) Ltd.
Web Site: www.northvanplayers.ca
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Bob Bradley (Director). Bob started directing about ten years ago. Directing credits include
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, The Bad Seed and Victim, amongst others. Prior to that Bob was
active back stage, having stage managed approximately 20 plays and provided back stage
support for many others.
Greg Bosworth (Bishop Martin Spottiswoode). This is the first time walking the planks for
Greg at Hendry Hall. Greg recently appeared in Deep Cove Stage’s The Doctor Will See You
Now playing both a hypochondriac doctor and a gay football player. Greg lives on artisticallyrich Bowen Island and was fortunate to play Austin in Sam Shepard’s True West with King
Baby Productions on the island. Other continuing roles include husband, father, hockey coach
and professional salesman.
Martin Carr (Reverent A.K. Bulstrode). Martin would like to thank Bob, Kathy and all his
thespian chums for making Bells of Hell such an enjoyable production (so far!), so “Mwah’s” all
round. Martin has appeared in several plays and cabarets at Hendry Hall over the last five years,
as well as Deep Cove Stage and Metro Theatre. Prior to coming to BC, he performed in some
eighty shows in the UK in everything from Shakespeare to farce. Frequently the same thing. He
can be serious if he tries and runs Shindigs!, an interactive murder mystery company for fun.
Kelly Christine Davis (Vanessa Friggins). Kelly was born in North Vancouver and has spent
the majority of her life living in British Columbia. She first became involved with acting while
living in the Kootenays, participating in children’s theatre, which has led her to a life-long love
of performing and the arts. Kelly also enjoys travelling, drawing, experimental music, modern
dance, and good conversation.
Bill Lawrie (Gavin Faber). Bill played the cigarette sneaking Axel in Theatre West Van’s
Maggie’s Getting Married. Other acting credits include: Tom in Bad Year for Tomatoes and
Julian in Communicating Doors, both for Deep Cove Stage. He also played Brazencourt in Lock
Up Your Daughters and the lead of Victor in The Price. As Assistant Director, his credits
include Tribute for NVCP and Sylvia for Theatre West Van. Bill is now a professional voice
actor, producer and co-owner of Soundswrite with his partner, Pam Jones.
Nick Murphy (Harry Dunkley). Migrating to North Vancouver in 2008, Nick joins us from a
number of different theatre groups located on Vancouver Island. This is Nick’s second
production at Hendry Hall, as he played the part of Phiddle in December’s pantomime Puss ‘n
Boots. Nick plans to dedicate the rest of his life to theatre and film, whether it be professionally,
or casually. He is glad to have worked with such a talented group of people, and hopes his next
project at Hendry Hall will be sooner than later.
Anita Reimer (Madge). Pleased to perform in her new city, this is Anita’s first appearance with
the North Vancouver Community Players. Before moving to the area, Anita received her theatre
training at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, and taught and directed theatre at Bethel
College in Indiana. Favourite previous roles include: Annie Sullivan (Miracle Worker); Viola
(Twelfth Night); Bella (Lost In Yonkers); and Dallas (Liberty Calls). Welcome to our production
and enjoy the show!
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Madge Faber .......... Anita Reimer
Reverend Gavin Faber .......... Bill Lawrie
Reverend A.K. Bulstrode .......... Martin Carr
Harry Dunkley .......... Nick Murphy
Vanessa Friggins .......... Kelly Christine Davis
Bishop Martin Spottiswoode .......... Greg Bosworth
SETTING
The action takes place on the ground floor of the Rectory in the Parish of
St Barnabas Without, South London. Time: 1980s.
ACT I
Scene 1: Evening, 7:30, the end of a hot, thundery summer day
Scene 2: 8:30 the same evening; Scene 3: 9:30 the same evening
ACT II
Scene 1: Six weeks later, afternoon; Scene 2: Early evening
THE PLAY IS IN TWO ACTS
AND THERE WILL BE A 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION
PRODUCTION STAFF
Director ........... Bob Bradley
Production Manager ........... Doreen Carlson
Stage Manager ........... Kathy Bradley
Set Designers ........... Nancy Richer, Bruce Richer
Lighting Designers ........... Ron Precious, Simon Drake
Sound Designer ........... Bob Bradley
Sound Coordinator ........... Anne Marsh
Costumes ........... Karin Bews
Properties .......... Alison Thomas
Set Construction ........... Robert Mearns, Bob Martin
Bob Bradley
Set Decorators ........... Nancy Richer, Bruce Richer
Graphic Artist and Set Decorator ........... Linda Sharp
Lighting/Sound Operator ........... Sandy Branning
Publicity and Program ........... Anne Marsh
Front-of-House Coordinator ........... Heather Macfarlane
Box Office ........... Laurie Findlay
Photographer ........... Gary Schwartz