The group started working on the play in the middle of January. They last hit the stage with “Clue”, a play of the famous board game, in the spring of 2023, a performance delayed for a couple of years due to COVID. Bessant said “Smarty Pants” is a much smaller cast effort, with four actors instead of the double figures for its predecessor.
“We picked it based on the number of people available for the play and we liked the storyline. A lot of people had life changes since “Clue”, so they couldn’t come out and this one fit the bill.”
“Smarty Pants” is a Canadian play. As well as being somewhat relevant now for political reasons, it is somewhat of a return for ADLIB, who had previously performed several by our nation’s playwrights.
Without going into too much detail, the play includes a disgruntled ex-wife and her two friends, a break-in and a confrontation with the ex-husband. Much is learned, and as Bessant said, “hilarity ensues.”
“The overarching theme is reconciliation,” he explained. “It is a comedy, but there are themes people will identify with. There is some nostalgia, some reconciliation. The characters are quirky but relatable. Some of our plays, it is harder to relate to the characters, but this one people should.”
Cast members Merle Neufeld, Kimberly Steinke and Sydney Logan all appeared in “Clue”. ADLIB always enjoys adding new members to the troupe, and this play sees Andrea Mustard make her debut on the Boissevain stage. Bessant said she fit in like she had been with them for years. Apart from a few small one-act plays, this is the smallest cast the group has ever done for a full-length play. Bessant said it comes with advantages and disadvantages.
“It creates good things and challenges. It is a tight knit crew, and you don’t struggle with scheduling practices. There is also a lot of commitment, learning lines and a lot of work for them.”
The director said they started work in the middle of January. They practiced in the theatre when it fit the movie schedule and other places like the library and Fit Stop on other nights. He added his job has been to work on the staging, projection of the actors, and getting them to make their marks and cues every night.
At one point, ADLIB moved from four night performances to three. Several plays ago, they returned to the four nights. Bessant said it has always been up to the cast members, but they have been saying for the amount of effort they are putting in, they would like to present it the extra night. Also, the strong response they have received from the audience since the new theatre was built – selling out most nights – shows there is a need for it.
“When we moved to three nights, I heard people commenting they would have come, but couldn’t make it. The extra night gives them that opportunity.”
Bessant feels they group are ready to hit the stage, but they will continue to polish up the act until opening night. His hope is they can bring a lot of their audience out from Boissevain and elsewhere, giving them the entertainment break they need.
“I hope people will understand and enjoy a good story line,” he stated. “The crew put a great deal of time and effort into it, so I hope the people enjoy it and it is received well. Bob Wright used to say ‘it’s nice to come and forget your problems for a while.’”
The director added the cast and crew are excited to hit the stage. Every time they finish a project, the audience asks when the next one is. This keeps the club wanting to keep going.
“As long as we find a good script and people who want to do it, I think we’ll continue.”
Tickets are $20 and available at the Boissevain-Morton Library, Turtle Mountain Physio, Pringles’ Sports Excellence or at the door.
by PAUL RAYNER
Recorder staff