Drury Lane Theatrical Productions mounts three productions each year in its intimate cabaret theatre on New Street in Burlington.
Book-ended in the winter between two musicals, is its annual patron favourite Music Hall variety show, now in its 43rd year.
Music Hall can be counted upon to provide wonderful music, funny sketches and groaner jokes. One of the sketches that is a linchpin of Act 2 is the popular “If I Were Not Upon the Stage”. Every year without fail, you can hear the audience ready itself as Mr. Chairman announces the cast who are about to tell you what they would rather be, if they were not upon the stage.
Many years ago, Drury Lane decided to pass on including the beloved skit in Music Hall. That year, the patrons were loud and clear in feedback: 'Music Hall was not the same without Stage.' It was a lesson learned, don’t mess with what the people love. Stage has been presented yearly in its slot, ever since.
Stage is created, from scratch, by Drury Lane members. The recipe never changes: seven or eight cast members entertain the patrons with their thoughts about who they would want to be if they were not upon the stage. “Who” can be characters from television or movies, everyday jobs, characters from history, stories or even animals (Penguin). The creator determines the characters, writes their script and figures out what their movements will be.
A script is accompanied by a character-driven up/down movement and a representative theme song that sets up the driving beat behind the rhythmic speaking/singing pattern.
The fun begins as each new person enters and near misses and chaos ensues. The humour never gets old as people bend over just in time to avoid being struck by swords, or baseball bats. The audience becomes a part of the frenzy as tennis balls whiz over the heads. Water guns spray the cast and audience alike. It’s crazy, chaotic, noisy, and just plain old funny.
Carrie Mines, who compiled this year’s Music Hall, No Tunes Like Show Tunes, also wrote this year’s Stage. The characters come from the same place as the songs in this Music Hall: stage, television shows and movies. They will be portrayed by Music Hall Stage veterans, enjoyed for their skill in pulling off the craziness.
Don’t miss out on this annual frenzy of fun by coming out to see this year’s rendition of Music Hall which opens Friday, Feb. 23, and runs to March 17. Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office 905-637-3979 or on the Drury Lane website www.drurylane.ca
