Meet the Director – KEIR MALONE
Keir Malone appeared in ‘The Foreigner’ in 1995, the second show ACT ever mounted. It was his last play until returning in ACT's ‘Sweeney Todd’ in 2011, as he retired from the stage to raise a family. In spite of 16 year gap, he has done his best to make up for lost time having acted and/or directed in 16 of the 64 shows in ACT's history. Past directing credits include: "An Evening of Fairy Tales", "Plays in a Day", "All New People" and "Skin Flick" for ACT. Keir has served on the ACT board since 2013 in various roles, and is the current past-president, as well as having done work with the King's Playhouse and the North Shore Players.
What’s challenging about bringing this show to life? Why did you choose to propose it?
…As the director, the biggest challenge in bringing this show to the stage has been trying to get the timing down. I have 9 amazing actors, and each of them has their own sense of timing; I have to be true to them, the script/characters, and the audience. It's possible to make it all fit properly, but it certainly is a lot of work.
I was introduced to the script of ‘Noises Off’ a few years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. I have tried to challenge myself with each play I direct, adding elements of difficulty; more people, filmed elements incorporated into a show, an intimate space and topic. The challenge of ‘Noises Off’ is the complexity of script and set. It was not only the funniest script I've read, but the most difficult, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could pull it off. As well, when we were considering what show to do for our 25th anniversary, I noted that ‘Noises Off’ was the 4th show that the organization had done, back in 1996. To go from ladders and tables in ‘Our Town’ (1995) to a two-story revolving set three shows later showed me how quickly ACT grew and changed, and that was a part of our history that I wanted to celebrate.
What draws you to community theatre?
…Community theatre allows someone like myself, who has always loved theatre, to participate in my art at a high level without taking the financial and critical risk of trying to make a go of it full time. ACT (and organizations like it) serve so many purposes: it's a place where young or new actors can learn, where retired professionals can keep a foot in the craft or teach, where people with a true affection of the stage can have opportunity to do what they love, at their own level. ACT can train and support actors/directors: people can learn how to mount a show that is financially and artistically viable, without having to take out a second mortgage or recreating the wheel.
What do you want the audience to know about the show?
…This show was written in 1982, and it is a ‘play within the play’. We have that ‘inner’ show set in the 1960's, and the action set in the 1980's. In our more culturally sensitive times, there are parts of this show that are at risk of being dated, or culturally insensitive: we have updated some elements to make them more appropriate, and others are being left as written, as they are part of the intentionally bad farce of the play within the play. Our team doesn't aim to offend in any way.
What sort of person should see this show?
..Anyone who appreciates comedy in any way, because the script and our incredibly talented cast are absolutely hilarious. This show is accessible and easy to fall in love with, and will give people a (highly exaggerated) idea of what it's really like to put on a play. Take away the farcical, overdone elements and you still have a look at rehearsals, a set and the life of a touring company.
…Crying babies, carriers of the bubonic plague, and anyone who doesn't love to laugh.
Any person in particular you want to invite?
…Anyone who loves theatre, comedy, farce. Anyone who knows this show, or anyone involved. Anyone who has been a part of ACT in the last 25 years, from audience member to active participant. Come to the theatre; come home.
What will the audience be talking about after the show?
…My hope is that the audience is left briefly overwhelmed by laughter and the sheer size of what we are pulling off: so much happens in three acts that I honestly believe (and hope) that people should come to see this show more than once. There is so much to see!
Photo: Brian Collins, Landwash Studios
'Noises Off', at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall, Holland College, plays April 9, 10, 11 and 15, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30pm. Tickets are 25$ and are available at www.TicketPro.ca, or see www.actpei.ca for more information. Direct Link to TICKETS: https://secure.ticketpro.ca/?lang=en&server=ww3#def_1361783654
TIckets can also be purchased in person at the Florence Simmons Box Office, 140 Weymouth Street, weekendays 12-4 pm or by calling 902-894-6885. Message us or send email to [email protected] if you have any problems. Florence Simmons Performance Hall is an accessible space.
This show has some light innuendo and rare expletives, parental guidance suggested. Sponsored by North Rustico Home Hardware and the PEI Council of People with Disabilities.
