Marplot, an adaptation of The Busie Body* by Susanna Centlivre (1709)
Adapted in 2003 by Maria Plumb and Rod Thompson, Villanova Players
Join our cast and crew as they travel back to the Restoration Era to bring you one of the most-produced comedies of the period. As two young ladies, Isabinda and Miranda, pursue their heart's desire; they are hampered by the erstwhile plans of their respective Guardian, Sir Francis, on the one hand, and Mother, Lady Jealousie, on the other. Not to be deterred, the ladies enlist the aid of their ladies' maids to manage secret rendezvous with the objects of their affection, Charles and Sir George. For their part, the gentlemen further the cause by engaging the talents of Marplot, a friend who is always willing to serve, making it his business to be in on everything and uniquely talented in putting his foot forward in the wrong manner.
The original Busie Body is widely believed to have been the origin of the term 'monkey business' and Marplot provides plenty of shenanigans to delight and intrigue our audience.
Directed by Karen Waterfield.
Marplot ran from April 28th to May 14th (Thursdays to Saturdays at 8pm) with a matinee on Sunday, May 8th at 2pm.
Make your reservation online or call 832-3300.
*Director's Note: although this production includes a 'busie body' it bears no resemblance nor connection to our fall production of Jack Popplewell's "Busybody"; except that we were so fond of our busybody, Mrs. Piper, that we sought out another - from another era entirely - Marplot.
Susanna Centlivre
1667-1723
One of the premier dramatists of the 18th century, often referred to as the second lady
of the English stage (after Aphra Benn). Centlivre had a long career at the Theatre Royal,
Drury Lane; where she penned plays from 1700-1722. An apparent early feminist, her first
play and great success, The Perjured Husband; included a prologue which boasted that it had
been written by a woman. Her best-loved works (including The Busie Body) remained in
constant production for 150 years on various stages around the world, including Halifax.
The (original) Busie Body continues to show up on stage today.
THANK YOU VILLANOVA PLAYERS, Brisbane, Australia! Bedford Players' production of Marplot is possible because of the adaptation skilfully undertaken of Susanna Centlivre's play The Busy Bodie by Maria Plumb and Rod Thompson of Villanova Players. The pair became 'emboldened' after seeing an adaptation of The Marriage of Figaro, by fellow-Australian and Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush. Since undertaking this adaptation in 2003, the couple went on to translate and adapt The Italian Straw Hat by Eugene Labiche, which was performed at Villanova Players in 2010. Congratulations on the success of your adaptations and thank you, Maria and Rod, for bringing this play to our attention and making it available to our audience!
We had thoughgt that this may not be the first time that Susanna Centlivre's work has been performed in Nova Scotia. And we were right! The Busie Body was indeed performed in Halifax at the Fairbanks' Theatre in 1818, under the patronage of the Countess of Dalhousie.
Actor, theatre manager, playwright and producer, credited with influencing all aspects of the theatre in the 18th century, including the resurrection of the plays of William Shakespeare, which had fallen out of favour. He is most noted for changing the approach to acting from the bombastic (overblown, inflated, pretentious) to the realistic portrayal. Garrick managed the Drury Lane theatre where Susanna Centlivre introduced The Busie Body in 1709 & counted his role as Marplot (in a later production) as one of his favourites. Garrick chose another of Centlivres' plays, The Wonder, for his final stage performance.
We have received a few messages from other theatre groups around the world. Here are two:
From Australia:
G'day Karen
We want to wish all of you - the Bedford Players, Director, cast, crew and all the other wonderful production people - our very best wishes for opening night and the entire season. Your website is wonderful and informative. Once again, our very best wishes.Maria and Rod (Maria Plumb & Rod Thompson, Villanova Players, Brisbane, Australia)
From Scotland:
Hello Everyone
May I, on behalf on everyone in the Leslie Amateur Drama Group in Scotland, send best wishes to all in your group. We hope you have a great time with Marplot-- the Busie Bodie and applaud your determination to present a late Restoration play. Break legs galore and have fun.John Graham Watson
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Marplot | Robin Saywood |
| Charles | Jacob Wilson |
| Isabinda | Michelle Wood |
| Lady Jealousie Traffic | Kathy O'Brien |
| Sir George Airy | Bernie Rau |
| Miranda | Valerie MacKenzie |
| Sir Francis Gripe | Bryn Rowlands |
| Patch | Donna Goyetche |
| Scentwell | Sandy Mitchell |
| Whisper | Angus Duncan |
| Everywhere | Michele Gaudet |
Karen Waterfield (Director) is pleased to be back in the Director’s chair after her time as Mrs. Piper in last fall’s Busybody; she being just a bit more relaxed behind the scenes. Now in her 6th year with Bedford Players, Karen has tried (just about) every job in bringing our productions to the stage, and definitely prefers the Director’s role. It is just so much fun to transfer the written play to the on-stage production; and maybe there is a wee bit of pandering to a desire for control. Marplot has been an excellent experience, and Karen is hopeful that you will find enjoyment in the play; as she has, in the effort to bring it to our stage.
Sandy MacDougall (Producer) became involved in high school theatre where he gained experience in stage management, lights, 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. Many years passed... In 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. 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 encouragement and support.
Kim Shaw (Stage Manager) has been involved in community theatre since 1995. She has been Jill-of-all-trades, working costumes, props, program, ASM, directing, board chair, set design, technical, et al, but this is her first experience as SM. She joined Bedford Players as a ‘front of house’ volunteer this fall and is thoroughly enjoying working with this group of inspired, dedicated, engaging people. Kim hopes you enjoy this bright, funny play with oodles of hilarious innuendo!
Ann Merritt (Assistant Stage Manager) joined Bedford Players just in time to help with make-up for BEDROOM FARCE and thinking this was fun, stayed on as Hair and Make-up Lead for BUSYBODY. Always up for something new, she’s back this time as Assistant Stage Manager. She says "I know absolutely nothing about the job, I consider that a good starting place for most endeavours". She hopes you enjoy the play in spite of any boo-boos she might make.
Michele Gaudet (Everywhere) is so pleased to be back with Bedford Players, having previously played Natalie in Sorry, Wrong Chimney in 2009. Michele’s most recent role was as Renee in TAG’s staging of The Odd Couple, Female Version in October. She has also been on stage in dozens of productions with The Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Michele’s real life consists of performing medical laboratory tests at the IWK Health Centre by day, but she finds that dealing with drama on stage is much more satisfying. Playing Everywhere has allowed Michele to do something she had never expected, to take on a role that is both an adverb and a compound word.
Jacob Wilson (Charles) is a sixteen-year-old actor from Bedford. He is currently attending Charles P. Allen High School and has aspirations to become an actor someday: be it on the silver screen or stage. To date Jacob has appeared in a school production of Shrek! The Musical, YPCo’s production of Guys and Dolls, and several workshops with the Neptune Theatre School. Jacob is very excited to be working with the fine cast and crew of Bedford Players, and is very grateful for the experience. Jacob, is hiding behind the shield of third-person narrative to kiss the Marplot team’s ass. Oops, did he really write that!
Bernie Matthew Rau (Sir George Airy) a New York City native, is delighted to join the Bedford Players’ stage for the production of Marplot. Bernie has performed in several theatrical productions, among them Eugene in Grease; a Cowboy in Oklahoma!; and Luc in The Orphan Muses. He has had roles in films: Donald, in The Right Piece of Pie; a Neurotic Patient, in Nostalgia; and the Lead Role of Ted Styles, in the upcoming feature Ne’er Do Wells. Bernie is thankful to have the opportunity to work with such great and talented cast and crew!
Robin Saywood (Marplot) 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 Karen, our director, and all the wonderful cast of Marplot, we have had an interesting and challenging journey. Robin says the biggest thank you goes to you, for your support, without you here we would be nothing!
Angus Duncan (Whisper) is making his first appearance on stage at Bedford Players. He played the Minister in TAG’s production of Best of Friends. He’s a member of Dartmouth Players, and has been seen on stage in Bottoms Up, Saving Grace, Walking Happy and Anything Goes. He has been a crew member of many of their plays, producing, stage managing, and helping with set construction and painting. He is retired, after serving almost 35 years with the RCAF and RCN. Angus lives in Dartmouth with his best friend, Angus.
Valerie MacKenzie (Miranda) is back again after having loads of fun on the Bedford Players’ stage in Busybody in the fall 2010. Val thoroughly enjoys period plays and elaborate costumes but, admittedly, is not a huge fan of the corset. Recent Shows include: Marie in Marie Antoinette; The Colour of Flesh at Theatre Arts Guild and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at Dartmouth Players. Valerie thanks Karen so much for the joy of playing Miranda and hopes you have fun with Miranda’s escapades too. Wonderful cast to work with and learn from - great friends old and new. And, as always, a marvellous crew taking excellent care of us. Thank you Mom, for being my muse and inspiration for Miranda - zest for life, quick wit, humour and determination.
Sandy Mitchell (Scentwell) appeared in the 2010 Atlantic Fringe Festival in Morning Coffee. Previously she appeared in Bedroom Farce, The Real Inspector Hound and The Murder Room, at Bedford Players, and has been seen at Dartmouth Players. She’s also worked as Stage Manager and ASM on various productions. 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. Sandy wishes that every cast member ‘breaks a leg’, but not literally!
Donna Goyetche (Patch) discovered Bedford Players in 2008. Since then she has had several backstage roles including, ASM, tech assistant, and FOH duties. She has served, as a Member-at-large, on the Executive Council for two years chairing the nominating and play reading committees. This performance marks Donna’s first time on stage and she is delighted to be part of the cast of Marplot. She extends heartfelt thanks to Karen for all her direction and to the cast and crew for their support and assistance. Now she wishes you an evening of fun. Enjoy!
Bryn Rowlands (Sir Francis Gripe) is happy to be back within the welcoming family of Bedford Players. Bryn last appeared on the Bedford stage as a lustful copp’ah in "No Sex Please..." He has more frequently been involved with Dartmouth Players, having directed their January play, "Boston Marriage " and appeared on stage last in November as Mortimer in "The Fantastiks". Thanks to Karen for her faith in him and to Sylvia for letting him continue to go out to play.
Kathy O’Brien (Lady Jealousie Traffic) is delighted to be back on the Bedford Players stage, especially in such a wonderful role as Lady Jealousie She loves nothing more than taking on a juicy character role and Lady Jealousie is one of her favourites. Past roles in Bedford include the nosy police chief’s wife in Sinners, the man-obsessed Giddy in I Take This Man, and Florence Unger in The Odd Couple, Female Version. She hopes you enjoy this wonderful period play as much as she is enjoying performing in it!
Michelle Wood (Isabinda) is a student at NSCC. She enjoys drama and has a passion for acting. She has taken part in three productions in high school. She thanks Kelly for introducing her to Bedford Players. This is her community theatre debut, playing the part of Isabinda. She hopes that everyone fully enjoys Marplot!
Here are some of the internet sites we've found intriguing, associated with The Busie Body:
...examine female friendship throughout The Beau's Duel, The Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret, and The Artifice to show that Centlivre's radical feminist writing creates agency, for women, through friendship.