Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?
That’s what Rosslanders will be asking themselves when they watch the 2010 production of the Gold Fever Follies. And, of course, my script will be the source for this debate.
The Gold Fever Follies is a summer production based in Rossland, British Columbia. Their shows revolve around the city’s history during the gold rush. I’ve written three scripts which were performed for previous seasons; you might say it’s where my craft first began. Last autumn, I was asked by Lisa Henderson to write a new script and I obliged her. I’ve had this certain idea circulating in my head for years which would be absolutely perfect for the group. So, I began writing.
Little did I know that something was about to happen which would make people question where I got my story.
My first Follies. I'm trying to get a kiss from Consuela, played by Sarah Fulcher.
The Follies is known for the Can-Can — it’s a must every year. Therefore, the majority, if not all of the play, is based in a bar. So, without spoiling too much of the show, I thought it would make for an interesting spin if the characters were trapped in the establishment, like miners trapped in the mines. A fun idea, right?
Well, this past year, something that can only be described as a comedy of errors led to three foreign exchange students being locked in the Le Roi mine after a student function. Luckily, after a few hours, they were rescued.
The three had quite an adventure, wandering through the mines in the pitch black, finding an emergency kit, and hanging out in the cold, damp tunnels. They knew someone would eventually figure out where they were, because if they didn’t, they’d spend the next six months in the depths of Red Mountain.
After the whole ordeal was over, everyone laughed about the whole thing — the exchange students most of all. And, of course, someone came up to Henderson and said, “This would make for a good Follies script.”
Well, crap. I had already started writing my script which is reminiscent of that night at the Le Roi. I’m sure anyone who is familiar with this story will immediately bring it up after watching my script, which is currently titled Trapped In The Murphy Inn. All I can say is… I was writing it before the three foreign exchange students had the shock of their lives. Scout’s honour.
Henderson was also nice enough to let me sit in with the Kootenay auditions. I watched as local talent acted out monologues, sang songs, and danced. It was interesting to watch these people try out on the same stage I auditioned on nine years prior.
The Stage at R.S.S.
Auditions will also be taking place in Lethbridge, Vancouver, and Victoria. And, for any of you who are curious, I sung Take Me Out To The Ballgame when I tried out. I was almost as good as Ozzy.
