Busybody

Karen Waterfield (Mrs. Piper) is so happy to be making her stage debut at Bedford Players as Mrs. Piper! After turning her efforts backstage for the past five years, she has taken the plunge; or plunger as the case may be. Mrs. Piper is such a great character, and Karen asserts there is no type-casting… Well, maybe just a little. Sincere appreciation is extended to Robin for taking the risk, to the cast and crew for everything (a list too numerous to elaborate), and to family and friends for considerable support and encouragement. With special thanks to her daughter, Karina, for her help with her lines! ‘Ere’s ‘opin’ yer ‘ave a smashin’ evenin’!.

Ralf Dreimanis (Richard Marshall) is delighted to be making his debut with Bedford Players. He most recently played Canon Chasuble, in Dartmouth Players’ production of The Importance of Being Earnest. He is finding his first occasion to work with Bedford Players a most enjoyable experience. The opportunity to be part of this busy body of work, with a fantastic cast and crew, is very much appreciated. He hopes that you enjoy the challenge and excitement of discovering whodunit.

Matthew Garner (Det. Constable Goddard) became involved with Bedford Players as Tech Assistant for Bedroom Farce, and is now excited to performance on our stage. Matthew, born and raised in Halifax, has always had a passion for acting. This year he played the lead role in Hepburn House, an independent film directed by Dylan Aucoin. Watch for it at next year’s Atlantic Film Festival. Matthew works full time but plans to pursue a Degree in Theatre Arts next fall. He hopes his time on the community stage will help him on his journey. He’s made wonderful friends at Bedford Players and is thrilled to spend time with such a dedicated, talented cast and crew. He thanks family and friends for their never ending support "Lola I love you", and especially Mom and Dad for instilling a ‘never give up’ attitude.

Jonathan Tyson (Det. Superintendent Baxter) is making his debut at Bedford Players and has greatly enjoyed exploring the depths of frustration and anger, not to mention pneumonia, in D.S.Baxter and working with such a fantastic cast and crew! Jonathan has previously appeared in Oklahoma!, Good Night Desdemona / Good Morning Juliette, and How It Works, all staged at the Theatre Arts Guild. He also appeared in the 2009 Halifax production of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer. Jonathan has taken Improv training at Second City’s Training School, Toronto, and classes at Equity Showcase Theatre and Neptune Theatre Schools. A great big thank you to Donna for her love and support.

Claire Jardine (Claire Marshall) is very excited to be joining Bedford Players in her first ‘serious acting’ role. She is not, however, a stranger to the stage and is best known for her performances in Aladdin and Dick Whittington with the Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society. Claire furthered her musical talents in numerous Gilbert and Sullivan shows, her favourite role being that of Katisha in the Mikado. She moved on to Amateur Operatics next with the AO Society at the Wallaw Theatre, Blyth starring in Rose Marie and later found she was equally happy back-stage (assisting with wardrobe and make-up to John Hannah in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader at the Newcastle Playhouse). Born in Scotland, raised in England, she now calls Nova Scotia home.

Valerie MacKenzie (Marian Selby) is very pleased to be back on the Bedford Players’ stage. She thoroughly enjoyed performing in The Murder Room and Who’s in Bed with the Butler? On these boards in the past. Valerie performs with many community theatre groups in the HRM: her recent favourite roles being Marie in Marie Antoinette; The Colour of Flesh at TAG and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at Dartmouth Players. The opportunity to work with Robin again is truly wonderful, and Val thanks him very much indeed! Thanks also to the cast for being great teachers and friends, and to the dedicated crew for making it all happen.

Michael Taylor (Robert Westerby) is excited to be back with Bedford Players after appearing as Tom Duncan in Maggie’s Getting Married, and then Dr. William Weldon, "registered psychiatrist" in Sorry! Wrong Chimney! Those were such great experiences that he could not wait to get back on stage in front of the wonderful audiences Bedford Players’ productions attract. They always come ready to have a good time. He’s once again thankful to be working with such a talented and helpful cast and crew. Mike wants to thank his wife Lisa and daughters Hillary and Lindsay, who continue to be a source of inspiration and support while he enjoys his hobby. The thing he hopes for most out of this production is that the audience has a truly enjoyable time and they make future Bedford Players’ Productions part of their entertainment plans.

Ellen Oldford (Vickie Reynolds) is originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and first became involved in theatre in 2003 when she joined Off-Broadway Players. She rekindled her love for theatre after moving to Halifax in April 2008. She has most recently been seen in Bedford Players’ production of Bedroom Farce in the spring of 2010. Other past productions include Dartmouth Players’ Don’t Dress for Dinner in 2009, Night of the Living Dead, Backyard Reality, Dinner and a Movie with Off Broadway Players. She is delighted to have the opportunity to play (and well, work) with the wonderful cast and crew of Busybody. A big thank to the Director for casting me, and to everyone involved for our fun times!

Robin Saywood (Director) has played around on the Bedford stage since 1994 having been with Hubtown Theatre in Truro for several years prior to coming to Bedford. Some of his most memorable acting roles have been as Robert in Don’t Dress for Dinner, John in Run for Your Wife and Brian Runnicles in No Sex Please, We’re British. He has also been a regular director over the years directing such productions as The Female Version of The Odd Couple and Sinners. Off stage Robin is a member of the executive and has been involved in set design and construction for a number of past productions. But most of all he enjoys the fun and fellowship of Bedford Players and would like to thank his wonderful cast of Busybody. Here’s to you all !!

Karen LeBlanc (Co-Producer) has thoroughly enjoyed watching this play’s transformation from script to stage under the guidance of the extremely talented Director and Stage Manager. When Karen joined Bedford Players in 2009 she never imagined she would be involved in a production to this degree, yet here she is as Co-Producer for the second time and loving every minute of it. Karen wants to thank the Cast, the Crew, her thoughtful and talented co-producer, Sandy, and every single volunteer who made working on this production so much fun. Special thanks go to Ryan and Oakley.

Sandy MacDougall (Co-Producer) became involved in high school theatre where he gained experience in stage management, lights and sound, acting make-up and directing. He spent a summer touring Nova Scotia, in a bus, with a troupe of actors performing an historical play. After high school he coordinated two Elementary/Junior High Drama festivals. In the spring of 2005, Sandy found Bedford Players and volunteered as stage crew with Barefoot in the Park. Since then, he’s been involved with every show in some capacity including stage management, lights and sound and front of house. He has served on the council and executive and is currently the President of Bedford Players. During the daylight hours Sandy is a teacher with the Halifax Regional School Board where he is enjoying his current job of Leader, Technology Integration. Thanks to everyone who participated in making this show a reality and thanks to Greg for his constant support.

Sandy Mitchell (Stage Manager) makes her debut as Stage Manager, and is hoping she doesn’t make a mess of it! She says it’s been a delight watching Robin, and cast, take the script and turn it into the living, breathing, funny, whodunit you are about to see. Sandy recently appeared in the Atlantic Fringe Festival in Morning Coffee. Other appearances include Bedroom Farce, The Real Inspector Hound, The Murder Room, at Bedford Players, also Caught In The Net and Walking Happy at Dartmouth Players. She’s also worked as ASM on various productions for both theatre groups. Sandy loves ‘hamming it up’, but feels it’s only fair that actors ‘pay their dues’ by stepping into the shadows and working behind the scenes sometimes. She thanks Josh for all his help, kudos to Robin once again, and asks every cast member to ‘breaks a leg’, but not literally!

Josh Lawrence (Assistant Stage Manager) made his first appearance on stage at Bedford Players as Trevor, in the spring production Bedroom Farce directed by Stacey Fownes. He has also recently completed the role of Rod Bollars in a very comedic Top of the Line Production called Center Circle, which will premiere in the Atlantic Canadian Film Festival in 2011. He is excited to be part of this production, contributing, for the first time, as an ASM and looks forward to collaborating with the great folk of Bedford Players again in the future. Enjoy the show!