Freeport Players Guild hold Spooky Halloween treat

The Freeport News
Freeport, Grand Bahama- From spider webs, to witches; and from ghosts and ghouls, the backstage of Grand Bahamas's premiere theatrical venue was spookily transformed from the "Regency Theatre" to the "Theatre of Terror."

One of the major highlights of the evening was set backstage.
When guests arrived, they got a scary thrill in a dark hall filled with dimmed violet light.

Entering the room, evil screams and laugher was heard, followed by a surprise greeting from the "Wizig a ghost of quizzes" and mystery.

Continuing, out came the claws of a Werewolf, followed by more evil laughter.

Finally, when one would think it was all over, the voice behind the laughter was revealed as out running came a very angry bride from the dead.
 

 President of the Freeport Player's Guild, Angela Hackman explained the event.

She said that every year, the Guild tries to put on at least three socials and considering it was Halloween, she said that was the perfect event to put on for both members of the guild and the community.

Reaching out to the community, she encouraged persons to join and become a part of the Freeport Player's Guild.

"While the guild is for theatrical productions, I want to remind the public that joining the guild doesn't mean you have to perform, but there are many other areas in which you can get involved; including behind the scenes, bartending and the technical department. She also noted that there were many trained professionals that are a part of the guild who would be willing to train and work with persons in that area.

After a tasty appetizer of chips and dip, the tables were set on the stage (literally), and guests were treated to a delicious Halloween roast-beef dinner including a tender roast-beef, tossed salad, rolls, potato salad and coleslaw. After dinner, guests were then allowed to indulge to sweets including a mousse with rum cake, cupcakes and down-home Bahamian guava duff. The evening then continued with dancing to the latest 2010 jams as well and old tunes from the 80's.

The Freeport Player's Guild was founded in 1961 to give those in the community with a love for theater a platform to produce and present. Meetings are held every first Monday in the lobby of the Regency Theatre at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

Bahamian play set to take place in Grand Bahama in November

One Big Circle promises to be a roller coaster ride of emotions.

The new stage production by writer/director Conrad Knowles makes a number of promises, including a well-written, well-directed and well-acted stage play. Perhaps the biggest promises the new production can make is that everyone who attends will be able to relate to the story and the characters in one way or the other.

Knowles say that the script came out of his frustration of seeing the divide that exsist between people in church and people in clubs and on the streets.

"It felt like there is a great divide between these two sets of people and I felt like there has to be a way to bring these two together," said Knowles.

"So, when I wrote this play, I had that at the forefront. It appeared that the people in church did not want to go anywhere where those people were drinking and cussing and the people out in the world, seemingly did not want to go to church where they felt fake people were.

"But the truth is they need each other. So, I came up with One Big Circle."

Conrad Knowles is no stranger to productions, having been around acting and productions for more than 15 years. His résumé of acting and writing include "You musse gat dat ting", "traffic court", "the fatal fabric", "Poison in the mother's milk" and "fame-the musical".

He's also been involved in a few films in Nassau.

But getting to write One Big Circle did not come without its challenges. For the most part, the biggest challenge for Knowles and actually completing the script was more emotional and mental than anything else.

It took him five years to write and rewrite One Big Circle, until he was satisfied with the final production.

For Conrad, this production serves as a statement of him taking control of his career as an actor, writer and director.

"When I first read the script, I not only enjoyed it, but I somehow related to it and I believe that the story is so true that there are many people in our society who will be able to relate to the story and to the characters," said Alexis Pelecanos, who plays Katie Cummings , the down to earth, shy house wife who happens to be going through some rough times in her marriage.

However, because her mother is one who does not believe in divorce, Katie does her best to bear with her situation and put on a good face.

"All of the characters have their own unique set of problems and because of that it comes together wonderfully, especially in the end. I believe that people will enjoy this."

Pelecanos is not new to the stage, having been a part of a number of productions, but mostly musicals. Theatre fans would remember Pelecanos from her most recent role in Dream girls, where she played Effie. This will be the first production where she will come from behind her singing and focus more on her acting.

"For me, this is different, but I like it because now I get to concentrate on the character, the emotions and the way the character feels, rather than depending on my singing," admits Pelecanos.

"In a way it has been a bit easier for me."

As one of the lead characters in One Big Circle, Pelecanos will get to test just how much her acting has improved over the years, without having to depend on her singing. Her character of Katie is not only one of the lead characters in the production, but because many women will be able to relate to her, Pelecanos knows she has her hands full.

In the meantime, her husband Virgil, played by Earl 'Daddy Steelie' Neilly, is a businessman, who is a go-getter, but who also has to face the issues that is taking place in his marriage.

Neilly is convinced that his character in One Big Circle could be any guy, any husband who has to struggle through everyday life. Like his stage wife, Katie, he feels that all of the guys who will be in the audience watching the production will be able to relate to his character.

"There will be some humour in it, but at the same time, they will be able to see the positive side of it," said Neilly.

This will be Neilly's second stage production, but his first big production, where he holds a major role. Having grown up watching other family members take part in stage productions, Neilly is hoping to make a big impression.

Conrad Knowles said that although he has written a number of short scripts before, he wanted to embark on a big production because he was tired of having to wait on some foreign company to bring a big production to The Bahamas.

"Although I have been a part of the theatre for years, I want fans to know that there is nothing like this play," said Knowles.

"This is totally Bahamian. It's written, directed by Bahamians with an all Bahamian cast. Other actors expected to be a part of this production include Wesley Butler and Diane Morgan, both of whom are well-known stage actors.

And what can theatre fans expect when they attend One Big Circle?

"They can expect a roller coaster of emotions, inclusive of drama, humour and the possibility of even shedding a tear," explained Pelecanos.

"The best thing would be for the fans to come to the theatre with their minds open and with high expectations."

One Big Circle is presently in rehearsal and is expected to hit the stage November 13-14. The final venue has not yet been decided.

The 39th Annual Twirp Awards, June 12th

Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas - This year the Freeport Players' Guild TWIRP Ball will be held on June 12th from 7:00-11:00pm at the Treasure Bay Casino, Our Lucaya.

Entertainment includes live music by Steve Davies and excerpts from past productions.

Dinner will include a Grande Buffet with carving station, seafood pasta station, crepe station, soup, salads, yummy desserts, and a glass of wine. Cash bar available. Each table will be decorated in a different musical theme and everyone is encouraged to get a group together and book their tables.

Tickets for this exciting evening are only $40 per person and include everything mentioned above and gratuity! Don't delay, get your tickets today by calling 373-2492 after 12 noon or e-mail us at freeportplayersguild@gmail.com.

And the nominees are ...

Musicals: Ain't Misbehavin', Broadway in Concert 2 and Broadway in Concert 3.

Comedy and Drama: Girls of the Garden Club and Leading Ladies.

Lead Actor/Performer in a Musical: Jevan Hunt, Alessandro Major and Eddie Llambias.

Lead Actress/Performer in a Musical: Dora Brown, Heather MacDonald, Dalia Feldman and Tiffany Dennison.

Lead Actor in a Comedy or Drama: Eddie Llambias, Remardo Russell, Bill Nelson and Paul Highdale.

Lead Actress in a Comedy or Drama: Vicki Stafford and Dalia Feldman.

Supporting Actor/Performer in a Musical: Tony Lowe, Kenton Pinder, Rouen Robinson, Rico Thompson and Paul Highdale.

Supporting Actress/Performer in a Musical: Georgia Taylor, Julia Geiger, Dora Brown, Aulenna Robinson.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama: Rico Thompson, Adrian Burbage and Antoine Lefevre.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama: Delores Kellman, Erica Weir, Ivy Elden and Laura Smith-Donohue.

Cameo appearance (Male): Trevor Russell and Kenton Pinder Female: Ina Simmons, Joanna Llambias, Ivy Elden, Angela Hackman, Tina Lightbourne and Lois Desauiniers.

New-comers (musical): Faye Thompson, Devan Chee-A-Tow, Kadicia Babb, (comedy/drama): Veronica Dorsett, Beth Hatfield and Laura Smith-Donohue.

Set Design: Martina Geiger, Marjoke Twiest, Angela Hackman, and the casts of Ain't Misbehavin' and Girls of the Garden Club.

Set Construction: Clint Moultrie, Antoine Lefevre, Martina Geiger, Arthur Baillou, and the cast of Ain't Misbehavin'.

Costumes: Angela Hackman, Beverley Chin, Martina Geiger and the cast of Girls of the Garden Club.

Choreography: Julion Collie, Lois Seiler and Stephan Cartwright.

Director: Gloria McGlone, Marjoke Twiest and Angela Hackman.

Producer: Ivy Elden, Vanessa Siestma, Sarah Kirkby & Vicki Stafford and Paula Fingland & Olivia Dorsett.