The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon by W. O. Mitchell

The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon was produced at Theatre Calgary in March 1979. All performance rights enquiries should be directed to: Orm Mitchell, W.O. Mitchell Ltd., 2383 Old Norwood Road, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X8; www.womitchell.ca

From the DirectorWith great humour and passion, renowned Canadian playwright W. O. Mitch-ell, not only explores the truth about humanity (our perceived good and evil) in the tall tale tradition, but also takes jabs at later political policies re energy and censorship. His witty take on this small foothill town of the post depres-sion era will certainly make you laugh, but the true humour comes with the introduction of the rink from hell. Although there are many logistical chal-lenges, I strongly believe that the endless efforts of a strong production team, a fabulous crew and an energetic and talented cast, will whisk you away into this wonderful world where even the seemingly tame sport of curling can turn otherwise sane people into “broom waving fanatics”. It is here that one man’s clear understanding of the true nature of evil allows him to take on the most horrific challenger and possibly emerge unscathed. It could only hap-pen in Canada-eh?

Setting: January 1934 Wildrose Alberta

Act I Wullie MacCrimmon Shoe and Harness Repair Shop 20 minute IntermissionAct II Jock McNair Memorial Gardens Outdoors Curling Rink

Home Rink: Skip: Wullie MacCrimmon - Richard Ouellette Second: Pipefitting Charlie Brown - Bart Penwarden Vice: Malleable Charlie Brown - Rob Free Lead: Clock Charlie Brown- William Brezden Angel & Sparky - Katelyn Smith

Visiting Rink: Skip: Lizzie Borden - Shona Sneddon Second: Judas Iscariot - Adam Mccormack Vice: Macbeth - Brian Otto Lead: O. Cloutie (devil) - Anthony Deciantis

Lobbying for an Anti-Sabbath Curling By-law Reverend B.G. Pringle - Ken Cameron & Annie Brown - Denise Gismond 1

OUR PRODUCTION STAFF This theatre production could not progress beyond the initial stages without the talent and hard work of the people listed on this page. It takes as much skill and commitment to design and construct a set, adjust the many sound and lighting effects and organize all the props and costumes as it does to be on stage. We salute the people who have worked so hard backstage on this production. Thank you for your endless hours! Director………………………...…..Pamela Niesiobedzki-Curtis

Directing Mentoree…………….………….….Kate MarentetteProducer……………………………………...Richard OuelletteStage Manager……………………………………Alex KanarekAst. Stage Managers .Sara Dunbar, Zoe Dunbar, Katelyn SmithSet Design……………………Pam Curtis & Jason ClattenburgSet Construction & Decor …...Jason Clattenburg, Peter,Busby, Pam Curtis, Bart Penwarden, Andrew Cameron, D.J. Thomson Special Effects…………………… D.J. Thomson & Peter BusbyProperties……………………Ashley Ann Offredi & Mark SearsCostume Design…………………………..Sharon VandenbergMake-up Design…………………………………Gillian TaggartLighting Design………………………………..…D.J. ThomsonSound Design……………………………………..Alex Kanarek Sound Technician………………………………......Dennis GrayPlay Polisher………………………………………..Peter BusbyPress Releases, Poster, Program Designs….Roxanne ThorntonVideo Publicity………………………………Richard OuelletteGeneral Publicity……………………………………Jen BarsonTicket……………………………………………….Gerry ButtsFront of House…………………………………….Kerry DetlorPhotography……………………………… Roxanne ThorntonDisplay Board………………………………Roxanne Thornton

THANK YOUKathy Brown, David Hull, Mayor Cam Guthrie, Mary Pat Garton,Bev Buckie, Cat Heaven, Orm Mitchell, Persephone Theatre Staff, Georgetown Little Theatre, Guelph Community Foundation, Musagetes, Guelph Curling Club Board & Members

PAMELA NIESIOBEDZKI-CURTIS (Director)Pamela is no stranger to GLT audiences and theatre alike. She’s been active in community theatres for over forty years, both on stage and behind the scenes. A woman of many talents, Pamela enjoys all aspects of theatre. She directs, produces, and choreographs, designs sets and costumes. Pamela has especially enjoyed the camaraderie of working with this motley cast and crew and would like to thank them as well as her family for their support and encouragement.

ALEX KANAREK (Stage Manager)Alex has acted and worked backstage with OnStage Uxbridge , the Port Perry Borelleans, Scarborough Village Players, Oshawa Little Theatre, Durham Shoestring Players and the Guelph and George-town Little Theatres. For GLT he appeared in several of Gerry’s Shakespeare productions. This time he has very much enjoyed sit-ting in the SM “hot seat” and running Black Bonspiel for Pam and her brilliant cast. When not helping out on stage, back stage or behind the bar, he makes stained-glass panels and may be seen pottering in his minute garden, when the Rockwood weather permits.

RICHARD OUELLETTE (Producer & Wullie MacCrimmon)After a 4-year hiatus since playing Mozart in AMADEUS, and writing/directing The Fall of the House of Usher with the Cambridge Players, Richard returns to the stage once more. He wishes to dedicate each of his performances to the memory of his mother who passed away almost a year ago, and was a big supporter of his work. Richard has enjoyed the pleasure of working with such an amazing cast again or as he likes to call them, “The Boys in the Band”. He is very proud to be a part of this production both as Wullie MacCrimmon and as the Producer. So Stand Fast Craigellachie…and Curl…to Beat All Hell!!!!

KEN CAMERON (Reverend Pringle)After a 2 1/2 year hiatus, Ken is thrilled to be returning to acting on the GLT stage. His most recent projects have seen him in the director’s chair for ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘Snow White - All Wrong’. ‘Black Bonspiel’ has been a wonderful experience. It has been a pleasure working with this talented group.

DENISE GISMONDI (Annie Brown)Denise has acted and directed extensively around Wellington/Water-loo. Her last acting role was as “Kate” in Elmira Community Theatre’s “Menopositive-The Musical”, and she was last seen as “Jeanette” in the “Fully Monty” at Guelph Little Theatre. Big thanks to her director, the cast and crew. Her efforts here are dedicated to Highland Dancer, Ra-chel.

The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon is the WODL Festival Entry for Guelph Little Theatre. The cast and crew would like to thank both the board and members of GLT for their support. In this production, we have endeavoured to partner with other groups within the community. We are extreme-ly grateful for all the wonderful technical support we have received from the GUELPH CURLING CLUB. We hope that you, our patrons will consider getting involved in some fashion with our fellow community players. On Sunday Feb. 8, 2015 we shall be adjudicated by the WODL (Western Ontario Drama League) adjudicator Virginia Reh. Festival is one way in which WODL can assist its community theatres to improve their skills. There will be five plays nominated to proceed to the festival in Owen Sound during March Break. This is an excellent opportunity for theatre-goers to see the best of the best in one location. For tickets or further information please check the WODL site.http://www.wodl.on.ca

BART PENWARDEN (Pipe-Fitting)Bart is certainly a veteran performer that one would recognize at GLT. He would like to thank the cast & crew for all their hard work & dedica-tion and to give a special thanks to Pam for taking on this challenging show. It’s been a blast! As always, he would like to thank his family & friends for their support. Enjoy the show!

ROBERT FREE (Malleable Charlie Brown)Rob is happy to be back on stage again. He last performed as “Alex” in Skin Flick with Guelph Little Theatre. Rob has also had the opportunity to work sound for a couple of shows previously. Rob is hoping you will enjoy the show and cheer for Wullie and his team. Rob gives a special thanks to Pam and Richard for this chance to be on stage again.

WILLIAM BREZDEN (Clock)William is thrilled to be treading the boards of his first Guelph pro-duction and has found it to be a great experience. He has especially enjoyed working with this cast and crew, everyone has been  fun to work with and very dedicated and professional. William’s past credits include working on several shows with both The Community Players of New Hamburg and Kitchener Waterloo Musical Productions.

SHONA SNEDDON (Lizzie Borden)Shona Sneddon has choreographed and acted in various productions for film, television and theatre, including a belly dance tour with the Sarah Bell Dance Troupe. Although currently enjoying the Royal City Roller Girls, if her hatchet skills continue to improve she may consider a career in the lumberjack arts. Thanks to everyone for their talents and hard work for this production, it’s been a slice!!

ADAM MCCORMACK (Judas Iscariot)Adam is pleased to be again working with Pam and to be making his GLT debut with Guelph Little Theatre. Usually he can be found behind the scenes, or performing with the Improv Team at Georgetown Little Theatre. Adam would like to thank Pam for casting him as Judas, and to the wonderful cast and crew who made him laugh at every rehearsal!

BRIAN OTTO (Macbeth)This marks Brian’s second consecutive show with GLT – I love the peo-ple in this group! Recent credits include the award-winning Elmira pro-duction of “Shorthanded”; “Into the Woods” with KWMP; and “12 Angry Men” and “Ragtime” with The Community Players (New Hamburg).

ANTHONY DECIANTIS (Old Cloutie)This is Anthony’s eighth season with GLT. A former GLT Board mem-ber, and 2012 director of “The Glass Menagerie”, previous acting roles include Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing”, Bassanio in “The Mer-chant of Venice” and Major Metcalf in “The Mousetrap”. This is Antho-ny’s second time playing the Devil, having previously performed the role in the one-act “#1 All Over Heaven”. He dedicates his role to Mon-key and Mouse; the two loves of his life.

KATELYN SMITH (Angel/Sparky)This is Katelyn’s acting debut with the Guelph Little Theatre. She is ex-tremely excited to be in this year’s production. Katelyn gives a huge thank you to Pam and the cast for allowing her to enjoy and learn from this valuable experience. She also thanks her mom and dad for their love and support in her pursuit of theatre.

The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon Adapted from the script:There were many black bonspiels (diabolically backward celebra-tions) curled during the Wars of the Covenanters in the seventeenth century to celebrate the powers of darkness in Scotland. The Rever-end Ian Paisley would call down the wrath of his Protestant God upon Sabbath curlers risking their immortal souls in the roaring game so well described in Macbeth’s words as “full of sound and fury, signify-ing nothing”.

Our production however, hopes to give you a night of entertainment and maybe, even an appreciation of the sport of curling.

When Wullie MacCrimmon, a shoemaker in the 1930’s foothills town of Wildrose muses that he would do anything to skip his curling team in the MacDonald Brier, the Devil (a travelling man who deals in whole-sale souls and retail sin) suddenly appears, bargaining ensues and one of the gretest matches in curling history is on!