Samuel Albert (as Jim Hawkins) battles Mia Jones in a rehearsal for SYTCO's Treasure Island last week at Morgan Elementary school in South Surrey.
Photograph by: KEVIN HILL , Surrey NOW
February is a very short month, comparatively, but wow! This year it just sailed by on the wings of a dragon and is slithering as swiftly as a snake to its end. There. Got the Chinese Year of the Dragon and the new Year of the Snake all recognized. So many things to do - just takes time and money. Brilliant philosophy.
So we just have to make the time and find the money to participate in community arts events. There are youth theatre events, semi-professional and professional productions on this week's list. All of them are solid productions.
This weekend, Treasure Island is coming to Surrey. The Young People's Theatre Company of Surrey (SYTCO) presents its 16th season at the Surrey Arts Centre with a telling of Robert Louis Stevenson's beloved novel. Directed by Susan Pendleton, this timeless family classic takes us on an adventurous journey with young Jim Hawkins and his
relationship with Long John Silver as he enters the treacherous life of pirates and treasure hunting.
Who doesn't love a rollicking tale of pirates? Kids in the cast I have talked to are having the time of their lives rehearsing - swords and all.
News this week is that the Friday show time (Feb. 22) has been cancelled, but there are still two chances to catch Treasure Island - on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7: 30 p.m. (tickets $19.75) and Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2: 30 p.m. (tickets $26.95, with a special "Pirates' Pickins Reception" with Long John Silver and cast included in the price). For show info and tickets, call 604-501-5566 or visit tickets.surrey.ca.
Peninsula Productions is a semi-professional theatre company. Its first presentation last year, The Mouse Trap, by Agatha Christie, was perfect. For the company's second full production, artistic director Wendy Bollard has selected the compelling drama Agnes of God. It runs from Feb. 28 to March 9 at White Rock's Coast Capital Playhouse.
Bollard believes that theatre-goers will be as happy with this production as The Mousetrap. "This is a beautifully written piece of theatre and the three actors - Laine Henderson, Becky Hachey and Nancy Ebert - are inspiring performers. I really think audiences are going to enjoy this show." Tickets are $18/$23 at 604536-7535 or online at www. peninsulaproductions.com.
