Tipling Players getting into ‘Trouble with Trent’

October 9, 2015 · 0 Comments

The Tipling Stage Company is getting into the final days of rehearsal for The Trouble with Trent set to open October 16th at Grace Tipling Hall in Shelburne. Tickets for the ‘whodunnit’ comedy directed by Tipling alumnus Denis Stephenson are on sale now at Holmes Appliances & Music Shop, Caravaggio IDA and Shelburne Town Hall.
According to the stage company, the plot of The Trouble with Trent revolves around “three mystery enthusiasts who write a detective story under the name Sarah Trent, emailing chapters to each other and meeting to polish it off. Then their agent hints that Sarah Trent is a real person and book sales soar. Meeting at a beach cottage to finish their second book, the three are inundated with fans wanting to meet Sarah, and become entangled in a real life whodunnit comedy involving a socialite, a blackmailer and undercover government agents.”
It has been five years since Denis Stephenson has directed for Tipling Stage Company, and two years since he last appeared on the Tipling Stage as an actor. The retired engineer, businessman and college teacher who lives in Mono Township says he developed his love of theatre as a child. His parents were involved in community theatre in Hamilton and after university he continued his involvement with the Burlington Little Theatre, Bramalea and Caledon community players for many years.
He said his involvement in high school theatre productions really peaked his interest, but he recognized it was difficult to make a living full time at it. “I’ve only personally known one person who was highly successful at it,” said Stephenson, “Donald Sutherland,” who he attended classes with in Engineering at the University of Toronto before Sutherland became a well known actor.
The director says the challenge in any community theatre is relying on volunteer labour from people who have to sandwich it between home and work. “It’s a sacrifice that requires intensive training, rehearsal and personal time to learn lines,” he says. As a director, he insists that the actors be heard and that what is on stage is believable. “We all act all of the time – each time an actor says a line it must be like the first time,” says Stephenson, “Our aim is to make the audience believe …that’s when you succeed.”
Denis Stephenson is pleased that The Trouble with Trent boasts a strong cast of women –hard to find in plays and a good thing for the Tipling Company which often has more women than men available for roles. The cast includes: Jo Hubbard, Kelly McDowell, Jean Jardine Miller, Bev Nicholas, Sherry MacDonald, Debbie Tait, GG Stillwell, and Josh Oatman. Set design is by Paul Welch, lighting design by Josh Oatman, and Michelle Graham is the assistant stage manager.
Stephenson describes the show as “a mystery of mistaken identities – you’re not just sure who’s who.” He says the play is “simple,” “not too long” and the audience can expect “a good night’s entertainment.” The Trouble with Trent by Fred Carmichael runs October 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd and 24th at 8 p.m. at Grace Tipling Hall on Victoria Street. Performance prices are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets on line visit www.tiplingstagecompany.com

By Marni Walsh