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VSS brings back The Visit

Tragi-comedy play runs nightly Dec. 14-19 at Theatre on the Hill

A timeless story of love, despair and community, injected with humour, is cast for Vernon Secondary Dec. 14-19.

Theatre on the Hill presents The Visit, a tragi-comedy written by Friedrich Durrenmatt, adapted by Maurice Valency.

Director Laurie Anne Lorge has been working with the two separate classes of approximately 30 each to bring back the tale which she took part in when she was in high school.

“It’s a very heavy play for them,” said Lorge, adding that the teens have been able to grasp the story line well. “It’s got some real meat to it.”

The production goes nightly at 7:30 p.m. with two different casts switching between performances. Cast B performs Dec. 14, 16 and 18. Cast C is on stage Dec. 15, 17 and 19.

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“All the characters play it differently,” said Lorge. “So it’s a new show every night.

Wade Stinn plays Anton, the leading man in the play set in a town rich in history but now struggling to survive.

“It’s the aftermath of a love story and all the consequences that come alive from past mistakes,” said the Grade 12 student.

Sequoia Cave plays Claire, a former lover who has returned to haunt the town, particularly Antone.

“My character has a lot of pain. She feels the only way to ease that pain is through revenge.”

Having lost the love of her life and losing a baby, Claire makes an offer to help the town, but at the price of Antone’s head.

“All of the townspeople like me want to make a good impression on Claire because she has lots of money,” said first man Logen Heggs, Grade 10.

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Set in Germany, The Visit was written in 1952 and VSS keeps the old-school set but with a modern spin.

“It’s the same story line but definitely different,” said Cave.

Along with the double cast of actors, stage craft has risen to the challenge of creating some tricky designs - such as the three-sided periactoids.

And for the scores of graduating students involved, it will be an emotional performance - as it is their last year on stage together.

“A lot of us we’ve been in drama together since Grade 8,” said Cave. “We’re passionate about it. We’ve all had an in-class bond because of it.”

So much so in fact that Cave admits there are often tears shed after their performances.

To check out The Visit, tickets are available at VSS for $10.


@VernonNews
jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com

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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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