Local theatre fans were treated to a thought-provoking evening that explored the insidious effects of gossip, as the senior drama group from Carlyle's Gordon F. Kells High School performed award-winning playwright Brian Hampton's “Gossip”, Monday, March 23 at the Carlyle Memorial Hall.
The production is the group's entry in the Region One Drama Festival in Moosomin. GFK teacher Darcy Howe, who directed the play with fellow teacher Kevin Dyck, says, “We liked the message and we wanted a play that said something.”
Festival judges also liked the production, as the group received awards and acknowlegements. Megan McAuley, Breanne Forcier, Marissa Owens, and Dayha Smith all received awards for acting, while Megan Shirley was Best Visual for Plays runner-up.
The one-act play is a powerful exploration of the damaging effects of gossip in a high school. Gossip is literally brought to life as a new student, played by Megan McAuley. McAuley's portrayal of Gossip is both comedic and chilling, as she sneakily decides to steal the boyfriend-and eventually, the life-of the kind and popular Dallas, played by Bryanne Forcier. Dallas is one of the first people to welcome Gossip to the school, and Forcier effectively potrays her character's bewilderment and later, outrage, when she realizes the extent of Gossip's betrayal.
The main male characters, friends Tim and Andy, are convincingly portrayed by Daysha Smith and Marissa Owens, respectively. Gossip's lies and scheming quickly cause the two pals to split. As a result, Tim becomes Gossip's new boyfriend and intially refuses to see the truth about her nastiness; while Andy acts as the play's conscience, as narrator, and later, as the last person to see the full truth about Gossip.
Eventually, the entire school becomes mired in Gossip's manipulations. Twin sisters Candy (Lee-Amber Laderoute) and Kaine (Shelby McNair) are not immune to the havoc Gossip wreaks, and both girls help to illustrate the far-reaching effects of gossip as it affects a close group of friends.
The Teenage Ensemble-Kaelie Bouchard, Briana Robinson, Jeanette Opena, Hailey Hoffman, Logan Lemieux, and Jordan Patriquin-are present throughout the play, and illustrate how gossip can mutate and infect an entire school population, with devastating consequences.
The minimally-staged production effectively uses colour, lighting, and sound to telegraph the play's theme, thanks to stage manager, Megan Shirley, prompter Brittany Rowe, as well as Payton Littlechief and Dakota Mathison, who handle lighting and sound.
GFK's “Gossip” is a thought-provoking play that packs a powerful punch.
