Maya Meron is thrilled with her summer job in Barkerville.
She’s performing six days a week, looks after front of house, is box office manager, sings in the Gold Rush Revue, plays the reporter in Bernadette’s Gold Rush Escape and is loving every minute of it.
As a recent graduate of Capilano University’s musical theatre program, finding work that actually pays a salary was a lucky break as she said most aspiring theatre actors must pay their dues in volunteer roles, if at all.
Meron plays the young, intrepid Quesnel Cariboo Observer reporter, Edith MacDonald, in Bernadette.
Set in 1912, MacDonald interviews the now aging Bernadette about her full, colourful life in Barkerville beginning in the 1860s.
Amy Newman, co-artistic director of Theatre Royal and who also plays the role of Bernadette, said this was a reworked version of a one-woman play she performed about four years ago.
“The original play was a narrative, but also used flashbacks regarding the life of Bernadette,” she said.
“I rewrote it this year with a cast of six where the flashbacks were acted out rather than told in a story.”
However, her script ran much too long. With the help of her partner and co-artistic director Richard Wright, the show was condensed and the role of a reporter, asking the questions, was added.
With Wright’s extensive journalism background, the role was quickly developed, albeit six days before the show was to open.
The opening show was dedicated to the memory of Wright’s long-time friend, strong supporter of Barkerville and former editor of the Quesnel Cariboo Observer, Jerry MacDonald.
Meron’s character’s last name is a tip of the hat to Jerry.
The role of Edith MacDonald, a fresh-faced, eager young journalist on her first assignment, is basically a vehicle to provide Newman’s character, Bernadette, the chance to flashback to her life in the 1860s.
The character of Bernadette, although not an authentic Barkerville personality, is based on the kinds of characters who would have been in the gold rush town at that time. Two of the other characters are factual, historically correct depictions.
“We call it a historic musical drama,” Newman said.
Audiences have been loving the performances, often staying after the show to ask questions.
“Some audiences clearly do not want to leave the theatre when the show is over,” Newman said.
“We’ve had whole groups of people stay for 15 minutes to talk to us. They seem to be both fascinated and moved by the story and production.”
The show runs to Sept. 4, 4
p.m., every day except
Thursday.
Theatre Royal performs 14 shows a week. In addition to Bernadette’s Gold Rush Escape, the public is invited to a show at 11 a.m. – the one-woman show, Bride of Barkerville, Saturday – Wednesday; Gold Rush Revue, 1 p.m., Friday – Wednesday; and the British Music Hall, 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
After her run in Barkerville is over, Meron returns to Vancouver where she will begin the hunt for theatre work.
“I’ll probably pursue massage therapy to pay the rent,” she said ruefully.
Both Meron and Newman agreed it’s very difficult these days, especially in light of the massive cuts to the arts.
“The arts really struggle to survive,” Newman said.
And, much to her surprise and chagrin, Newman said its often difficult to recruit performers for the Barkerville shows.
“Barkerville is off the beaten track and we have no cell phone service,” she said.
“Some aren’t willing to take a risk on our remoteness.”
Meron is thrilled with her choice and knows it was certainly the right move for her.
For information visit www.theatreroyal.ca.