World Premiere of "Fishing for Frank" Reunites Ship’s Company Theatre Favourites
by Rena Kossatz, Ship's Company Theatre
Daniel Lillford, Playwright
PARRSBORO NS: The rehearsal hall rang with laughter today as the cast of Ship’s Company Theatre’s World Premiere production of Daniel Lillford’s Fishing for Frank read through the script together for the first time. Gathered with playwright Lillford and director Linda Moore were stellar cast members Deborah Allen, Lee J. Campbell l, Michael Chiasson, and Mary Vingoe, each of them a beloved favourite of theatre audiences, and each delighted to be reunited in Parrsboro to bring to life this outrageous new comedy.
Daniel Lillford’s plays have been received with enthusiasm by Ship’s Company audiences; 1999’s Apple Tree Road, 2006’s The Mystery of Maddy Heisler, which went on to Montreal’s Centaur Theatre (both productions of which featured Michael Chiasson), and 2008’s Snow Dance, in which both Campbell and Chiasson played leading roles.
Michael Chiasson will play Dick Gillis - Fishing for Frank at Ship's Company Theatre
Mary Vingoe, co-founder of Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro, returns to the Ship’s
stage after a triumphant, Merritt-award-nominated performance during the theatre’s 25th Anniversary season last year. Deborah Allen comes back to the Ship this season following lead roles in Ship’s Company’s 2009 Mainstage productions and her recent riveting performance in an acclaimed production at the new Plutonium Playhouse in Halifax.
Lee J.Campbell has enjoyed an eventful year, performing on the Valley Summer Theatre, LunaSea, and Neptune Theatre stages, and Michael Chiasson happily returns to Ship’s Company and Parrsboro after performing in theatres across the country.
Present for this initial session were set and properties designer, Victoria Marston, costume designer Krista Levy, lighting designer Paul A. Del Motte, stage manager Patti Neice, apprentice stage manager and production assistant Hannah Burrows, Ship’s Company’s Artistic Producer, Matthew Tiffin, Ship’s Company staff and crew members, and interested members of the community.
Fishing for Frank will preview in Parrsboro on June 30th and July 1st, and will play Tuesdays through Sundays until July 25th. Evening performances are at 8 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm.
Visit www.shipscompany.com. Call 1-800-565-SHOW for tickets and information.
