October 10 to October 27, 2024
Meet the Cast and Crew of “CHESHIRE CATS”
Written by: Gail Young Director: Michael King
Grown women, aching feet and heaving bosoms! Follow the Cheshire Cats team as they speed-walk their way to fundraising success in the London Moonwalk. Hilary, Siobhan, Yvonne, Vicky and Maggie are attempting to walk 13 miles across the English capital in record time in their decorated bras and posh new trainers, but the 6th member of the team doesn’t seem to meet the physical criteria! Cheshire Cats is a cross between a girl’s night out and a real mission to support a cause close to many hearts, with plenty of laughs and a few tears along the way.
Director Michael King shares some background on Cheshire Cats
DAWNA SILVER
Hilary
Dawna Silver finds the experience of embodying her Cheshire Cats character Hilary—and her lack of social filter—liberating. A lifetime of drama helped Dawna prepare for this role. Dawna is a relatively new theatre convert and has appeared in ensemble performances in several Echo Players productions. She is over the moon to play Hilary in her first lead role in a full length play!
AMANDA SAPIEHA
Maggie
Amanda Sapieha graduated in 2006 with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge. She has performed in various productions. Theatre has always been her passion. Recently she graduated from VIU with her Bachelor of Education. She has a loving and supportive husband and together they have raised four brilliant children. Amanda has worked for Theatre Calgary and the Banff Centre. This is Amanda’s first performance with Echo Players and she is thrilled to be working with such a talented director and company.
PAMELA BROWN
Siobhan
Trained as a vocalist, Pamela performed frequently on various stages throughout her hometown city of Ottawa. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Oceanside, where her first Echo Players’ performance was in Calendar Girls, which depicts, with humour and sensitivity, the realities of cancer. Pam thanks Michael for the opportunity to perform in The Cheshire Cats. which continues to support awareness and fundraising for those battling cancer. Her performances are dedicated to her son, Tom, who lost his battle in 2017.
DIANE KOROL
Vicky
Diane Korol found her “stage legs” in her 40s. From a musical, through fifteen + dramas, comedies, shorts and fundraiser productions, she is now hooked for life. The role of Vicky has been wonderful for stretching, growing and for character embodyment like never before. What a delight and privilege it has been to work with Michael as director, and with all the rest of the talented, fun and supportive cast and crew..
DENA LANE
Yvonne
Dena has been working with Echo Players since 2018. This is her fifth performance having been in Peter Pan, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Visit From Saint Nicholas, and Death by Fatal Murder. She’s honoured to be part of this wonderful play and the message it brings. She’s thankful to have been welcomed in by the wonderful cast and crew. She is greatly supported by her children and loving husband.
CALVIN TYNDALL
Andrew/Handsome drunk
Calvin began performing as a teenager as a roving street and event entertainer. A modern day minstrel! But that was many miles ago. More recently he has jumped into theatre with both feet. You may have seen him in last season’s Queen Milli Of Galt as the Journalist. Or in a special production of Death By Fatal Murder where he had the distinct pleasure of playing all three brothers of the notorious “Dooley Gang”.
Now he’s all limbered up and pumped to moonwalk his way to the stage as the cheeky but lovable Andrew in Cheshire Cats. You might even spot him in an additional cameo role for your entertainment. Enjoy the show!
DUANE MOTTLE
Aerobics Instructor/Marshal
Fairly new to onstage work, Duane has been involved with two prior productions: The Play That Goes Wrong and The Dating Game. With an alter ego that is slowly emerging, he is very happy to have the opportunity to experience this challenge. Duane thanks the support of family, friends, and the cast and crew who have all been fantastic to work with.
ANNE JINKS
Madge
I am thrilled to be on stage after an 8 year hiatus. Thank you to Michael for the opportunity and to friends & family, especially Roger, for their encouragement and support.
“Madge wants to fank ’er mate Effel for’er suppor’. We ‘ope yew ‘av as much fun watchin’ the show as we ‘av ‘ad playin’ fer ya… Ta!”
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NICK SQUIRE
Policeman
Nick is enjoying being in Cheshire Cats, a play both funny and moving. He is delighted to be involved with Echo Players for the first time.
Nick has been active in community theatre on and off, for many years both in the lower mainland, and Gabriola Island.
Thank you Echo Players for this opportunity.
MICHAEL KING
DIrector
Michael King has been involved and in love with the theatre in one way or another since he was 12, when he first walked on stage as Pooh Bah in an elementary school production of The Mikado. From then on, Michael was hooked on everything to do with the creation of live theatre. He has swept theatre floors, acted, directed, designed sets, lighting and sound, costumes, and anything else that kept him close to the action of creating the magic. Michael was a founding member of Deep Cove Stage and amongst the theatre groups, with which he has worked are: North Van Players, Vancouver Musical Theatre, Maple Ridge Players, Langham Court Theatre and St. Luke’s Players. He has had roles in many productions such as The Lady in the Van, Elizabeth Rex, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, That Face and Bedtime Stories. He has directed Calendar Girls, Welfarewell, Bull in a China Shop, Play On, Steel Magnolias, The Twelve Pound Look, Separate Tables and Queen Milli of Galt. He has twice been involved with the Victoria Fringe as an actor in The Smell of the Kill and as co-director of Henry IV Part 1. Cheshire Cats is Michael’s second involvement as a director for ECHO Players and it has been a joy to work with so many talented people. He would like to thank all the amazing cast and crew for their dedication to this production and especially Jan Taggart, our producer and Linda Attley our Stage Manager. He would also like to thank his husband Paul, Mum (Minah), and dear friend Judy for their unending support.
JUDY HIPKIN
Ethel/Effel
“Me name's Effel. Me alter ego, Judy, 'as been hangin' round theatres all 'er life, playin' at bein' all sortsa people. This time, she's playin' at bein' me (Effel). Can't think why. Me an' me mate Madge 'ope that, after the show, yer leave this 'ere theatre wiv a spring in yer step, a song in yer 'eart an' all that. 'At's the spirit!”
GAIL TISDALE & JAN TAGGART
Production Assistant and Producer
Gail and Jan bring their combined talents and enthusiasm to the Premier performance of Cheshire Cats. Jan, as producer, is enjoying working with this talented cast, crew and hard working director, Michael King..
LINDA ATTLEY & KAREN EASTON
Stage Managers
Linda and Karen have been a proud members of ECHO for many years. They are happy to share their experience and leadership with Michael and cast on this Canadian Premier performance of Cheshire Cats.