Primeau set to take to the waters in latest play

Part of the Primeau cast for The Little Mermaid pose outside the school Apr. 4 for a cast photo. The play takes place Apr. 17 and 18 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. – Stephen Dafoe Photo

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – Georges H Primeau Middle School is getting ready to take audiences beneath the waves next week. The school will conduct two evening performances of this year’s play, The Little Mermaid, Apr. 17 and 18 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.

One of the play’s directors, Debbie Rivet, said the school chose the Little Mermaid because the play had not been done before and because it was felt the production would appeal to a broad age group.

The co-director said more than 80 students tried out for the production, a number that has been whittled down to 50 students taking on stage and back stage roles. Because the school wanted to include as many students as possible, several characters will be played by multiple students. The audience should not be surprised if Neptune, the prince or Annabel appear to change height from scene to scene as even students will fill the three roles during the course of the play.

Rivet, said she and fellow directors Ryan O’Gorman and Jessica Workun, have been working with the students since January and the efforts show. “We practice approximately two to three times a week, an hour or two per day,” Rivet explained. “It’s been a lot of hard work but the kids are quite excited.”

The production, in addition to having a large cast, also has a large and colourful wardrobe. Rivet said costumes were created by Bev Lussier, one of the school’s parents. Together with the assistance of staff and students, Rivet is convinced Primeau has put together a colourful, must-see production for 2012 sure to make a splash with the audience.

Part of that theatrical magic will be the venue. Rivet said the cast is really looking forward to performing on the cultural centre’s stage. “We’ve never had this much space,” she said. “The stage, the lighting, the sound – we’re so excited.”
She, her fellow directors, and the cast are hoping Morinville will be excited about attending the two performances and seeing the fruits of more than three months’ labour.

“The effort that the kids put in and the final product is just wonderful,” Rivet said. “I think everyone would really enjoy it.”

Doors at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre open Apr. 17 and 18 at 6:30 p.m. The performances will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults – $3 for children and students. Tickets can be purchased at Primeau or Sobeys.