聽Keeping with what works the Cornerstone Theatre hosted their annual dinner theatre and matinee on March 27-29. With a delicious meal coordinated and prepared by David and Shelley Slykhuis, the theatre group put on a comedy, 鈥淢ove over Mrs. Markham,鈥� by Ray Cooney and arrangement with Samuel French Inc.
Directed by Doug Waldner the play centres on the Markham flat where Phillip Markham (Lane Easton) has told his business partner, Henry Lodge (Shannon Klatt) that the apartment would be open to use for an affair as he and his wife, Joanna Markham (Colleen Easton), would be out.
Joanna, however, gave permission to Henry鈥檚 wife, Linda Lodge (Bertha Isleifson), for the same nefarious purpose. Linda is aware of Henry鈥檚 cheating ways and has decided to have an affair of her own.
Meanwhile the decorator, Allister Spenlow (Jesse Twietmeyer), has arranged to stay in with the au pair Sylvie (Naomi Twietmeyer), but as the evening unfolds. Phillip finds a letter from Walter Pangbourne (David Slykhuis) to Linda, but assumes it is to his wife Joanna. Suspecting her of being unfaithful he deduces that she must be having an affair with Allister.
As complete and utter pandemonium unfold another character is added to the mix with Miss Olive Harriet-Smythe looking for a new publisher for her books, so she stops by to see Phillip and create a contract with the publishing company he and Henry have.
Mistaken identities and mayhem amount as they attempt to sign Miss Smythe who believes that Allister is actually Mr. Markham, this leaves Phillip to pretend to be Henry when he meets a woman who has entered the flat. It turns out Miss Wilkinson (Melissa Savill) is the girl Henry has been courting and the misunderstanding leaves her locked in a room while the real Henry draws up a contract for Miss Smythe and Phillip is left pretending to be the butler.
In the end Miss Smythe signs with Phillip and Henry鈥檚 publishing firm, while the Markhams sort out the many misunderstandings and the Lodges have also sorted out their feelings.
Craig Savill helped with the production as the prompter, while the set was constructed by Doug Waldner, Phil Benson, Dave Martel, Jesse Twietmeyer, Ashton Lisitza, and Diego Garcia. It was decorated by Marion Biram and Marylin Carter.
Cornerstone Theatre encourages others to join the group, which is made up of people interested in theatre.
鈥淪ome people play hockey, others curl: we rehearse plays and enjoy each other鈥檚 company,鈥� Cornerstone Theatre explained.
Additionally they put efforts into the hall, including helping with the recent kitchen renovations.
Their annual meeting is in September and those involved encourage others to come out and develop a love for acting or stage management.
