Yearly Archives: 2014

Review: Holmes on his own case to find the spirit of the season

The lead role of Holmes is masterfully handled by Mark Uhre in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol.

The lead role of Holmes is masterfully handled by Mark Uhre in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol.

by Don Bodger, Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

Plug any person in need of retribution into the timeless tale of A Christmas Carol and the yuletide will always be bright. And humanity will surely benefit in the long run.

That’s essentially the premise behind Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, currently playing at the Chemainus Theatre Festival until Dec. 31 with a short break over Christmas.

Sherlock’s life is depicted in the manner of Scrooge in the original tale. There are twists and turns in the story because of their different personal backgrounds but the end result is basically the same.

Sherlock, brilliantly portrayed by experienced actor Mark Uhre, is quite a genius. While admired for his contributions to society, he is also despised for a bad attitude.

There’s nothing like a visit from three ghosts — representing the past, present and future — to put things into perspective for Holmes.

The whole experience proves a bit bewildering at first for the old chap.

By |December 16th, 2014|Categories: 2014 Season, Reviews|0 Comments

Thank you Cowichan Sound & Cellular

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Tonight we presented a signed cast plaque to Cowichan Sound & Cellular in thanks for their sponsorship of Sherlock & the Case of the Christmas Carol. Cowichan Sound & Cellular have been sponsors of the theatre since the early 2000’s and we thank them profoundly for their support of the arts and other non-profit organizations in the Cowichan Valley. Thank you Corinne de Lange!

The plaque was presented by Marlie Kelsey of the Chemainus Theatre. If you are interested in learning more about how to become a sponsor please call Marlie at 250-246-9800 ext 710.

By |December 11th, 2014|Categories: Sponsors|0 Comments

Review: Clever script brings welcome update to ‘Christmas Carol’

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Mark Uhre plays a marvellous Sherlock Holmes in the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s production of ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol’.

by Andrea Rondeau, The Citizen

A clever idea and a really clever script, along with great performances make Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol just the heartwarming, fun event to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is a classic tale so wellknown that it can start to cause fatigue when one contemplates seeing it – again.

But by marrying that tale with the characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s world of Sherlock Holmes, the whole thing is new again in all the best ways.

The great detective himself takes on the role of Scrooge, and playwright John Longenbaugh makes Holmes’s Christmas miserliness both sad and laugh-out-loud amusing at the same time.

Holmes’s disdain for politeness and courtesy come out in acerbic dialogue witty enough to be funny, while the audience still understands and empathizes with their devastating effects on his friends.

By |December 10th, 2014|Categories: 2014 Season, Reviews|0 Comments

Christmas Message from the Managing Director

photo_randal2Welcome Friends! We’ve just announced our 23rd season of live professional theatre on Vancouver Island. 2015 will feature six amazing, diverse theatre experiences – comedies, dramas, mysteries and musicals. Seasons tickets are available and will guarantee you catch all that we have to offer.

Become a Super Patron! It’s easy. Add a $100, or more, donation to your season ticket order and join our Membership family. Membership is the key that opens the Chemainus Theatre world. Attend play readings, dress rehearsals and exclusive mixers with cast. These are just a few of the great perks that enable you to meet the artists that bring these stories to life.

Still Christmas shopping? No need for Sherlock’s clever sleuthing on this one… it’s elementary! Season tickets offer a year-long adventure that will enthrall and entertain, while providing the best value and the best seats. Enjoy your next performance!

Randal Huber




By |December 9th, 2014|Categories: 2014 Season, 2015 Season|0 Comments

Education and Community Engagement

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The Chemainus Theatre Festival is committed to building a healthy and strong community by instilling confidence, creativity and self-expression through exposure to and participation in the arts. Through our many educational programs, we inspire the imaginations of thousands of children on Vancouver Island each year.

Programs share three high level goals:

  • Enriching the Region
  • Build Community
  • Advance the Arts

Feature programs include:

  • Island Savings Discover Theatre Workshops
  • Student Matinees
  • Talkbacks
  • Summer Theatre Camp
  • Workshops

Other upcoming opportunities include:

High School Work Experience, Young Company Intensives and Apprenticeships. For more information on any of the above programs please visit our website or contact our Education Coordinator at education@chemainustheatre.ca or 250.246.9800 x728

Article: Sherlock Holmes on the case of a Christmas mystery

Jess Amy Shead, left, portrays Topper and Mark Uhre appears as Sherlock Holmes in the Chemainus Theatre Festival production of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol. — image credit: Andrew Leong

Jess Amy Shead, left, portrays Topper and Mark Uhre appears as Sherlock Holmes in the Chemainus Theatre Festival production of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol. — image credit: Andrew Leong

Read this article about Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol by Don Bodger at the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial:

Familiar characters and storylines are being blended into a unique treat for the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Christmas production.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol is already proving popular with theatre-goers before it opens Friday. It was originally scheduled to run until Dec. 22 but has been extended to Dec. 31.

“Ticket sales have been very robust and we’re opening eight additional performances in an effort to keep up with the demand for tickets for this show,” noted Chemainus Theatre Festival marketing manager Michelle Vogelgesang.

The reworked story by Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh is being unwrapped for the first time on a Canadian stage, with two newcomers to Chemainus in lead roles — Mark Uhre as Sherlock and Wade Bogert-O’Brien as Dr. Watson.

Click Here to Continue Reading

By |November 30th, 2014|Categories: 2014 Season|0 Comments

Thank You to Our 2014 Gala Supporters

 
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We would like to thank the supporters of our gala fund raising event “Sherlock’s Masquerade”

Gala Sponsors


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Coastal Community Credit Union

Orchard & Co

Island Savings

Willow Street Cafe

Chemainus Valley Courier

Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn

Take 5 Publications

Clopay

Gala Supporters

49th Parallel Grocery
Accent Inns
Alderlea Vineyards
Alders Plantation
Amy Ankersmit
Arbutus Ridge Golf Club
Art & Daphne Carlyle Photography
Arts Club Theatre
B & H Excel Tire
Belfry Theatre
BC Forest Discovery Centre
Betty Short
Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn & Suites
Best Western Barclay- Port Alberni
Best Western Carlton Plaza
Best Western Plus Chateau Granville
Best Western Plus Kamloops
Beverly Corners Liquor Store
Beyond the Usual
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre
Bly Kaye
Bonnie Martin Restaurant
Book Nook
Boston Pizza
BowMel Chrysler Ltd
Bound to be Different
British Allsorts
Bridgemans Marina Bistro
Butchart Gardens
Caldera Glass Studio
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble
Carousel Theatre
Caravan Theatre
Cheers Cowichan Tours
Cherry Point Vineyards
Chemainus Auto Parts
Chemainus Festival of Murals
Chemainus Foods
Chemainus Health Food Store
Chemainus Valley Courier
Chemainus Village Computer Centre
Christine A. Allan
Christmas in Chemainus
CIBC
Cim MacDonald
Coast Realty Group Ladysmith
Coastal Community Credit Union
Comfort Inn and Suites
Cowichan Bay Pub
Cowichan Capitals
Cowichan Golf and Country Club
Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club
Cowichan Sound and Cellular
Cowichan Theatre
CRVTEK I.T. Consulting
CVRD-Economic Development
Damali Winery
Darcy Johnson
David & Diana Pink
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa
Dennis A. J. Brown
Dinter Nursery
Doan’s Overhead Doors/Clopay
Doc the Barber
Eaglecrest Golf Club
Echo Design Custom Sewing
ETC!
Everything Under the Sun
Excellent Frameworks & EJ Hughes Gallery
Fairwinds Schooner Cove Resort
Flowering Tree Spa
Flying Fish
Foot Loose Reflexology
Foxglove Inn & Cooking School
Gateway Theatre
Get West Adventure Cruises
Great Canadian Dollar Store
Hansel & Gretel
Harlan’s Chocolate
High Street Hair
Hillside Printers
Honeypot Liquor Store
Horseshoe Bay Pub
Hotel Grand Pacific
House of Indigo Boutique
IMAX Victoria
Impulse Electonics
Island Farms
Island Savings Credit Union
Jamie’s Whalting Station
Jan Donaldson Designs
Jim Pattison Toyota Duncan
Joann Harding
Johnny Lee
Kathi Diewert
Khaya Gift Store
Kinney Clothing
Kirsty and Nita Grant
Ladysmith Health Food Store
La-z-Boy
Let’s Knit
Little Caesars
Lush Eco Lawns
Lynn James
Madill
Martin Kaspers Photography Art
Matrix Marble and Stone
Mary Fox Pottery
Merridale Ciderworks
Michaela Davidson Art & Gift Gallery
Mid Island Coop
Midas Auto Service
Morgan Warren
Morningstar Golf Club
Mountain View Stables
Mount Brenton Golf Course
Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Bar
Nanaimo Theatre Group
Nancy’s
Neil Newton
North Cowichan Municipality
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Odika Cafe
Old Farm Garden
Orchard and Co Barristers and Solicitors
Owl’s Nest
Pacific Opera Victoria
Panago Pizza-Rob Smith
Parkside Dog Grooming
Peller Estates Winery
Pharmasave Chemainus
Philip Mix
Phillips Brewing Company
Pho Triple 7 Restaurant
Pink Stix
Post Office Antique Mall
Pottery by Peggy
Rexall Drugs
Robson O’Connor
Rock Cod Cafe
Rocky Creek Winery
Rose Cowles
Roses and More
Royal Scot Hotel
Russell Food Equipment
Salamander Books
Saltspring Soapworks
Sandpiper Garden & Glass
Screaming Reels Fishing Charters
Scuttlebutts
Sealegs Kayak
Sheer Essentials
Silvermine
Soul Comfort
Station St Gallery
Steve Williamson
Subway Chemainus
Susan Lumholst-Smith
Sushi to Go
Sysco
Take 5
Teafarm
The Art of Secondhand
The Cedars Escape and Spa
Theatre Under the Stars
Tom Lee Music
Tony Easton
Top Hat Antiques and Collectables
Travelodge Hotel Duncan
True Grain Bakery
Twisted Sisters
Unsworth Vineyards
Urban Legends
Utopia Bakery
Van Gorkom Custom Boots
Vancouver Island Soap
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
Victoria Chamber Orchestra
Victoria Symphony
Village Chippery
Warren Goulding
Western Canada Theatre
Willow St Cafe
Worldly Gourmet
Yellow Point Cranberries
Zin Frames
By |November 28th, 2014|Categories: Theatre Fundraising, Theatre News|0 Comments

Held Over by Popular Demand!

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Mark Uhre, Michelle Lieffertz, Marcus

The Chemainus Theatre is proud to announce that Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol has been held over until December 31!

The Canadian premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol is an Christmas classic filled with mystery, intrigue and adventure. After being presumed dead for three years, a hardened Sherlock Holmes resurfaces, turning his back on the people who need him most. Three unexpected callers arrive on Christmas Eve, uncovering clues from the detective’s past, present and future.

Book your tickets soon for this holiday mystery full of Christmas spirit. The Playbill Dining Room is also open for these performance.

By |November 22nd, 2014|Categories: 2014 Season|0 Comments