FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2003

SAINT JOHN THEATRE COMPANY'S SECOND STAGE DEBUTS ORIGINAL SCRIPTS FROM LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS

The Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage is poised to present an exciting evening of original plays from local writers. Next Friday at the Oland Theatre in the New Brunswick Museum, four one-act plays will be staged for the very first time. The event marks the culmination of an initiative that first began almost six months ago.

"In October, we announced an open call for one-act play submissions," says Jay Rawding, chair of Second Stage. "At first, we didn't know what to expect. Next thing you know, we were looking at ten original scripts."

Part of the incentive for local writers to submit their original works was the opportunity to have their plays performed at a later date by the company. The shows, ranging from 5 to 30 minutes in length, were selected after an afternoon of public, dramatic readings that was held last November.

Doug Fillmore, who wrote one of the plays entitled "Journey with Dad", is excited to see his own creation on stage. "(It's) a funny, surrealistic look at life in the Maritimes," he remarks.

Fillmore is also directing the show, which he admits has required a certain balance in objectivity. Overall though, he is pleased with the show's progress.

"From the beginning, I have liked the experience," he says.

The four plays are uniquely different in content. "Journey with Dad", for example, concerns a father who seems less mature than his frustrated son. The result is a character-driven comedy that turns many adages about family relationships on their ear.

"Table for Two", written by Here magazine's humour columnist John Mazerolle, is a piece that takes place in a coffee shop between a man and a woman. As their conversation unfolds, they begin to re-examine what could be considered as the "right way" to love.

The third play, "The Creative Process", involves a writer who inadvertently finds his fictional characters coming to life and taking over the very script he's been writing. It was written by Rawding.

The evening of one-acts corresponds with a mandate established by the Saint John Theatre Company to provide opportunities for new or inexperienced actors and directors to test the waters, so to speak.

"I have learned quite a bit," says first-time director Lisa Flower. "I've always had a lot of respect for the directors of shows I've been in, but I've gained a whole new perspective. We're learning together."

Flower is helming the fourth play, "The Three Burglars". In this clever mystery written by Scott Marshall, you can expect double crosses, suspicious motives, and, of course, murder.

The plays will be staged Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 and are available in advance at the New Brunswick Museum lobby or at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Saint John Theatre Company Legacy Fund.

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