The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Pirates, cowboys, students, a historical society, a king and Sir John A. Macdonald brought history to life at Hapnot Collegiate last week. The high school's Dinner Theatre production, A Night at the Wax Museum, portrayed historical figures from Europe, the United States and, of course, Canada. Last Wednesday and Thursday, 31 teen performers put their talents together and presented the story of what happens when a spell is cast on a wax museum. After failing a history class, a number of students are forced to attend summer school at an old wax museum with their first-year teacher, Heather Fairchild, played by Jesse Nygren. Being at the museum in the middle of summer has the students anything but pleased. Wax statues of historical figures like John A. Macdonald, the Sundance Kid, Calamity Jane, Blackbeard, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Cleopatra are revealed. With the students and their teacher, along with the historical society, none the wiser, the landlord of the building has plans to turn the museum into a modern-day mall. Upon the discovery of Cleopatra's beautiful jewelry and the reading of its inscription, a spell is set on the museum Ð bringing the figures to life. While in search of treasure, the former wax statues go on a rampage to get to a treasure. The treasure in question Ð the rights to the museum Ð is found as Canada's first Prime Minister, Macdonald, comes to the rescue. Once the treasure is revealed and justice brought to the landlord, her son and his ditzy girlfriend, the museum is set back to normal as the spell was reversed. Hapnot teacher Kim Jones worked on the set of the Dinner Theatre for the first time this year along with returning teacher Kristen Imrie. Both teachers were pleased with the production and the students. "It was very well done," said Jones. "The (students) really stepped up and put a lot of hard work and effort into the show." With rehearsals beginning last fall, both teachers agreed that the students were sufficiently prepared that they were able to use a bit of improvisation when needed. Mistakes were made but quickly remedied with comedy Ð such as Thursday night when the cowboys were wondering if the cowboys had already been to the museum, rather than the pirates. Laughs from the audience and a few chuckles on stage made for a positive, energy-filled show. "They (are) a very capable and good group to work with," said Imrie. This year's production featured a number of new faces as well as veteran Dinner Theatre actors and actresses. With a number of regular performers graduating last year, Jones said there was more room for new students this year. "It was really put together and colourful," said Imrie. The play's original script, which came from an American theatre company, was revamped in parts to suit the local students. "We changed (parts of it) to make it more relevant," said Jones, adding that the inclusion of Macdonald was one of those changes. Making it more relevant suited the audience as they found it funny, according to Jones and Imrie. More positive comments came to the cast as they heard the show was full of action, lots of energy, well prepared and full of good costumes. Comments were also made on the performance of pianist Sam Dufour-Jarvis. "It was a really positive experience," said Jones, noting that the students worked "their hearts and souls" out. A Night at the Wax Museum featured Jesse Nygren; Nik Akkerman; Athea Fernandes; Erin Hall; Laura Garinger; Riahnna Swain; Tristan Simon; Tristan Barteski; Rhianne Rodnisky; Jesse Simon; Caitlin Bailey; Celine Leclair; Kelsey Loder; Marissa Abbott; Erin Harper; Brayden Kosar; Callum Spencer; Stefano Strapazzon; Krystal Kozar; Keenan Sattelberger; Kari Storey; Kylee Foster; Carley Belfry; Amy Bradt; Danielle Lam; Robbie Unruh; Cailie Church; Brennlee Anderson; Nadja Renard; Amanda Anderson; Bryton Hovland; and Sam Dufour-Jarvis.
