A sold-out crowd attended the Charity Gala performance of No Sex Please, We're British on Saturday, April 19th. As a result, Beacon House, local food bank and thrift store, received a cheque for $1,500.00 on the closing night of the play.
Among the attendees at the Charity Gala were Geoff Regan, M.P. Halifax West, Minister Len Goucher, and several Bedford Players alumnae. Following the performance, the seating area in the theatre quickly was transformed into a schmoozing and nibbling area for the 130-plus audience members. Patrons, who weren't busy chatting it up with fellow thespians, enjoyed an outstanding slideshow of past productions. Our own Miles Leahy was like a dog on a bone, determined to put the exceptional slideshow together and he did just that with technical help from Gary Bugden.
Recognized for tireless commitment to The Bedford Players for twenty-five years were: Gary Bugden, Wendy Hutt, Miles Leahy, Dave Parsons, and Alleen Parsons. Sadly, we are bidding adieu to Gary as he has decided to retire from his volunteer work with us in favour of other activities with family and his boat. He will be missed for his technical creativity and his humour, in particular. Happily, the others continue to act, paint, direct, build sets and produce our productions on a regular basis. Incredible!
As chairperson of the 25th Anniversary committee, I am pleased to thank everyone who
pulled the event together, particularly members of the committee: Alleen Parsons, Miles Leahy,
Wendy Hutt, Bonnie Matthews, Robin Saywood, Karen Waterfield and Sandy MacDougall. I would be
remiss if I didn’t include a huge thanks to the cast, crew and director of No Sex Please, We're British
as without a production at the ready for the 19th, we would have had little, if any 'carrot' to draw
such a crowd.
Continuing with my thanks, let me include Lillian Inglis who helped chop, peel, and arrange the food for the reception together with the members of the committee. John Slor deserves a big hand for handling the canteen and putting together the special 25th Anniversary program (in addition to a million other jobs that always seem to fall in his lap!). I hope everyone noticed the entrance way leading into the theatre. My admiration goes to Kathy O'Brien and Diane Wallace who designed and created the new lobby decorations. The MC for the evening was local radio host, Russell MacKinnon and musician for the evening was Kim Sampson, both generously donating their time to the cause. Thanks also to others who helped us create an evening to remember, but whom I regret haven't been mentioned here. Finally, our appreciation goes to Pete Luckett of Pete's Frootique, Sobey's, Superstore, M&M Meats and local caterer, Dawn Paterson whose contributions helped to make this evening the success that it was.
If you would like to see photos from the Gala, please visit our gallery. Photography was courtesy of Ted and Diane Misztela who donated their time to take and share the photos with us. Thank you Ted and Diane!! Please visit their website http://www.tedmisztela.com (external site).
We are looking forward to continued fun and success as we move forward into our next twenty-five years of theatre in the Bedford community.
Jennifer Johnson
Past-President Bedford Players Executive and
Chairperson, 25th Anniversary Committee.