Press Release: A Bunch Of Amateurs

A fish-out-of-water comedy with a Shakespearean twist

Metro Theatre is excited to present the Vancouver premiere of  A BUNCH OF AMATEURS written by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman and directed by Catherine Morrison, on stage November 8 -23.

Jefferson Steel is an insufferable, out-of-work, ageing Hollywood action hero, desperate to revive his flagging career as well as improve his relationship with his aspiring actress daughter Amanda. When Jefferson threatens to fire his incompetent LA agent Charlie unless he finds him a lead role, Jefferson is sent to England to play King Lear at Stratford. Little does Jefferson know that he is not playing the role of a lifetime in a Royal Shakespeare Company production at Shakespeare’s birthplace, but in a barn with an amateur dramatic society in the Suffolk’s Stratford St John.

The enthusiastic am-dram thespians are over the moon to have such a “star” playing with them. But soon discover Steel is a selfish American with no time for manners, who displays an appalling lack of class, considering himself too big for such a lowly setting. Will the arrogant Steel knuckle down to his latest role, or will he forever play the Hollywood star? We invite you to come and find out.

Director Catherine Morrison:  “Life Imitates Art“. The challenges and concerns that face the imaginary theatre company, are felt by theatre companies everywhere. I personally like the message about why we (amateur theatre people) do what we do. For love – not money nor fame or glory – we do it for the sheer pleasure in creating theatre.

Tickets are $28 Adult or $25 Senior/Student with a special 2 Tix for $40 every Thursday.  GST is additional on all tickets

Tickets can be reserved by leaving a message at the Box Office 604 266

Metro Theatre is a non-profit theatre company, dedicated to promoting and developing theatre arts.  This is our 57th continuous season of bringing laughter, intrigue and surprise to live audiences. A BUNCH OF AMATEURS is our 519th show.

Cast and Production Team

CAST

Jefferson Steel………………………………Samuel Barnes
Lauren Bell……………………….……………Laura Burke
Dorothy Nettle………………………………Lisa Gach
Denis Dobbins…………………..…………..Roger Monk
Nigel Dewbury…………………..…………..Peter Robbins
Mary Plunkett…………………………………Alison Schamberger
Jessica Steel……………………….……………Jamé Wonacott

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director…………………………………………..Catherine Morrison
Production Manager……………..………..Alison Schamberger
Stage Manager………………………………..Shay Cameron
Asst Stage Mgr………………………..………Dominic Duff
Asst Stage Mgr ………………………..……..Melissa Chalkley
ASM/Props……………………………………..Frances Herzer
Set Designer……………………………………Les Erskine
Costume Designer…………….…………….Rene Schindel
Lighting Designer……………………………Les Erskine
Sound Designer………………………………Catherine Morrison
General Manager……………………………..Les Erskine
Head Carpenter……………………….………Robin Richardson
Scenic Painting…………………….………….Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
Set Decoration…………………….………….Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
Publicity………………………………….….……Debra Danny
Graphic Design………………………..….…..Barbara LaBounta
Photography.. …………………………………Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
Wardrobe Manager…………………………..Sean Ullmann

The Story

A local theatre company in the small village of Stratford St. John is having money problems. Their “theatre “ ( which is a barn, by the way ) is in imminent danger of being torn down to make way for “executive townhomes”. What are the “Stratford Players” to do?

One of the company comes up with the bright idea of putting out a call to everyone famous. They are planning to present” King Lear” by the immortal Bard. Any actor would jump at the chance to play such an iconic role.  A movie star doesn’t jump exactly, but is more pushed (by his agent)

Hollywood action hero, Jefferson Steel’s movie career is on a bit of a hiatus (film word for slump) He needs something to keep himself in the public eye that will be a “classy” project and boost his career. What he doesn’t know is that the theatre company he is joining is NOT the Royal Shakespeare Company but “a bunch of amateurs”.

The collision of two cultures- American and British and two opposing attitudes towards theatre – film and stage, sets up some of the many, comic situations in the play.

In the lead role of Jefferson, Sam Barnes returns to Metro stage ( last seen in “Communicating Doors” ) Jefferson has many challenges; he has to learn  a huge amount of text and adjust to this come-down in  his expectations; no limo to take him to rehearsal,  no 5-Star hotel in which to chill and relax, no haute cuisine etc. etc.

“Dorothy” (the director, and also playing “The Fool” in “Lear”) has challenges of her own. There is “Nigel “(played by Peter Robbins, last seen in “Up and coming”) who desperately wanted the role of King Lear and is very antagonistic to the upstart Yank from across the pond.

Lisa Gach ,( last seen at Metro in “Blithe Spirit” ) is playing “Dorothy; a woman who epitomizes the expression one-armed paper-hanger. She must mollify the movie star, all the while keeping her theatrical ship afloat!

Adding to the mix are “Mary” (Alison Schamberger, last seen as “The Busybody” ) a star-struck fan of Jefferson’s although somewhat confused as to which movies he’s been in! She is disappointed that Jefferson is not comfortable in his room at her Bed and Breakfast, nor is he enamoured of her menu offerings.

“Denis” (played by Roger Monk, seen last season in both “Persuasion” and “Communicating Doors”) has volunteered himself as Jefferson’s entourage (of one!) He is a general handy-man and plays many of the supporting roles in” Lear”.

The money for this enterprise has been arranged by “Lauren” (played by new-comer   Laura Burke), the sponsor’s “trophy wife”. A lover of the Arts, she has talked her husband into putting up the money for this production, although as the owner of a brewery, he is more interested in selling beer in the Intermission!.

Rounding out the cast is the unexpected arrival of Jefferson’s daughter, Jessica. (played by Jamé Wonacott last seen in “Persuasion”) She has a fractious relationship with her father, who generally had no time for her during her childhood. Now he is stuck with her, as his x-wife is on her honeymoon.

How Jefferson will cope with one of the more difficult Shakespeare, will relate to his estranged daughter, and will learn to admire and respect a woman unlike the “bimbos” he has met on movie shoots, is part of the story.

Jefferson finally realizes that the “Bunch of Amateurs” are just non-professionals who, unlike himself, are not paid!

Directors Talk

Director Catherine Morrison and the cast of A BUNCH OF AMATEURS held the directors talk immediately following the show on Friday, NOV 15, 2019. The informal chat covered:

• The Talk-Back focused on the intrique of the script’s abliity to parallel the actual story of King Lear.
• Figuring out timing and needs for jumping from sections of King Lear to Hollywood personality with many scene changes.
• The collision of two cultures- American and British and two opposing attitudes towards theatre