For immediate release

Apri1 10, 2003

SAINT JOHN THEATRE COMPANY'S SECOND STAGE PROUDLY PRESENTS ITS FIRST FULL-LENGTH PLAY

The Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage will boldly be making the transition from mounting one-act plays to staging its first full-length production on Thursday, May 1st. The Attic, The Pearls & Three Fine Girls, represents another step forward and another first for one of the city's fastest growing theatre collectives. The play will have been directed, written and performed entirely by women.

"It's like 'girls night out' every night of rehearsal," remarks Sandra Donnelly, who directs for the first time. "I'm hoping it will be a bit of a wild ride for the audience -- much like the relationships of the Fine sisters."

The show will help to meet a growing need for more female roles. The last time the Saint John Theatre Company staged a play with an all-female cast was Waiting for the Parade almost five years ago.

"There aren't always a lot of interesting and challenging roles for women in many scripts - especially in comedies," says Donnelly. "I really wanted to pick a play that had some great acting opportunities for women."

The Attic, The Pearls & Three Fine Girls was written by five Canadian women: Jennifer Brewin, Leah Cherniak, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Alisa Palmer and Martha Ross. Palmer, in fact, is a New Brunswicker, born and raised in Fredericton.

"The Canadian references add a bit more familiarity to the storyline and characters," says Lysbeth Larooi, the show's stage manager. "Many references are Ontario-based, but some are so well known to all Canadians, like 'loonies' and 'Macleans', that they are immediately understood."

Sharon Searle, one of the performers, agrees that the references enhance the quality of the play. "When I found out it was written by Canadian women, I felt quite proud. They have certainly done an amazing job of creating sisters I can believe in."

The "sisters" Searle refers to are the three Fine siblings of the show's title. Re-united in their childhood home after their father passes away, the sisters (Jelly, Jayne and JoJo) plan their father's wake. Up in the attic, they unexpectedly stumble across secrets, heartache, and childhood memories.

"People will more than likely see bits and pieces of their own families and childhood memories," says Kizzy Kaye, who plays one of the Fine sisters. "I know I see parts of my past and present relationships with my real-life sisters."

The production marks Second Stage's fifth play in the past two months and, including next month's Main Stage production of "Art" by Yasmina Reza at the Imperial Theatre, the Saint John Theatre Company's seventh play in 2003 alone. The cast and crew are confident that their hard work will speak for itself.

"I think people can expect an evening that is both humorous and thought provoking," says Willow Edwards, a first-time performer with the company. "Although the play is funny in many ways, it is also dealing with a serious subject. I suspect many in the audience will leave reflecting on their own family relationships, particularly in relation to illness and death of elderly family members."

The Attic, The Pearls & Three Fine Girls will be staged Thursday, May 1st, Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd at 8:00 pm at the New Brunswick Museum at Market Square. Tickets are $10.00 and are available in advance at the New Brunswick Museum lobby, at Ricky's Convenience in Millidgeville, or at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Saint John Theatre Company Legacy Fund.

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