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When the Battlefords Community Players bought and renovated their new clubhouse in Battleford, they had visions of using it not only as a rehearsal space but as a performance space as well.

They have held several in-house productions, smaller versions of their season productions, and now plan to host visiting performers.

Coming up, SUM Theatre from Saskatoon will present the comedic drama Thicker Than Water by Heather Morrison. 

"BCP is excited for this opportunity and plan to bring more touring shows to the Battlefords in the next year," says BCP executive producer Donna Challis."

Thicker Than Water, an original play, features Pam Haig-Bartley, Kris Bratton and Judy Wensel and is directed by Yvette Nolan, all professionals who have performed in many shows across Canada, says Challis.

"Don’t miss the opportunity to see this exciting new play about relationships between mothers and daughters," she says.

The premise: As Laura waits for a phone call that could change her life, she explores the troubling landscapes of her family’s history. Humourous and heart breaking, Thicker Than Water is a comedic drama about how the past helps us … or haunts us. 

The show runs May 19, 20 and 21 at the Battlefords Community Players Clubhouse at 102 - 26th St. in Battleford, starting at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7. Tickets are available at Creative Interiors in Battleford or by calling 306-446-3133. 

Thicker Than Water is also due to be performed in Moose Jaw and at the Globe Theatre in Regina. The playwright  holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from the University of Saskatchewan and is a graduate of the Globe Theatre’s Actor Conservatory Program. Morrison is an award-winning actress, and has taught drama for several institutions including Sum Theatre’s own Theatre in the Classroom, a drama program created for youth in need. She volunteers for numerous local charities and organizations and is an active board member of the Broadway Theatre. In 2014, she received a University of Saskatchewan Alumni Achievement Award for her volunteerism and artistic achievements. She was also recently voted Best Champion of the Arts by the readers of Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon. In 2015 she was named one of CBC's Future 40.

Sun Theatre is known for Theatre in the Park, Theatre in the Classroom, Theatre in the Community and Youth on the Rise.

BCP to host 2017 TheatreFest

Donna Challis, executive producer for Battlefords Community Players, says in addition to bringing more touring shows to the Battlefords and planning their three-show season for 2016-17, BCP is also looking forward to hosting TheatreFest, Saskatchewan's annual community theatre play festival, in the spring of 2017. 

"Exciting times for theatre lovers in the Battlefords," says Challis.

This will be the 10th time the Battlefords Community Players will have hosted TheatreFest.

The 82nd Provincial TheatreFest was held in Moose Jaw recently and Battlefords Community Players were presented the McIntosh Cup for the best entry in the festival. The Shrew, directed by Roy Challis and Bernie Cardin, also won the best director(s) trophy. The players also received the award for best visual presentation and Clint Barrett won best actor. Kerry Volk and Holly Briant received honourable mention for their roles.  

BCP has existed in its current form since 1952, and in 2012 bought the former Battleford Grace Community Church at 102 - 26th St. to become its new rehearsal and meeting hall.