This year’s season was one of renewal, big laughs, and small triumphs for Markham Little Theatre.
This April 26-29 the company brings its final show of 22/23, Twist by Miles Tredinnick to the Markham Theatre stage.
“In the wake of the pandemic, theatres appear to be opting for lighter fare to entertain their audiences and Twist fits the bill, but with – you guessed it – a twist,” says the show’s co-director Neil Marr.
“While there are many comedic moments, the play also includes a well-crafted mystery that will keep the audience guessing to the very end,” adds the show’s other co-director Angela Stewart
The play is set in London in the early 1990s, a time before cell phones became ubiquitous.
David Woods is a bored accountant; he craves fortune, if not fame, as he plots to murder his annoying soap opera star wife. These plans are complicated by a somehow more annoying building custodian and petty theft.
“The adventure is rounded out by a mysterious South African, his clueless brother and an inspector who proves to be as tenacious as Columbo,” Marr explains. “These irredeemable characters provide plenty of laughs in this parody of the thriller genre.”
The cast features Carl Gambacort in the leading role. While Julia Guthrie, Anne-Maria Hurle, Steve Birtles, Nicky C. Marsh, and John Sellens fill out the rest of the cast. The MLT audience might recognize some of these faces from previous shows.
“The play is very demanding on the actors from a physical standpoint, and we are blessed with a talented and experienced cast as they undertake these challenges, ” explains Stewart. “While comic timing is required, our gifted set builders have devised ways to facilitate the physical demands of the play.”
Directed by the team of Marr and Stewart, Twist’s production team is rounded out by stage manager Sarah McDonald, producer Annie Clark, and set designer Ross Liversage.
The writer of the piece, Miles Tredinnick, was once the frontman for the punk era band “London.” As a nod to this fact, the directors have chosen to include one of his songs during the performance. The show’s producer has made it clear that regular patrons of MLT will not be asked to join a “mosh pit”.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of Markham Little Theatre to Markham’s history and heritage,” explains Markham Theatre general manager Eric Lariviere. “It’s been great to have them back in the building.”
Twist will be presented at Markham Theatre from April 26-29. All shows begin at 8 p.m., with ticket prices starting at $25.
Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more information.
