Musical comedy, dinner theatre mayhem at NKEC

By Brent Fox

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

A Highlander finds a bloody dirk at his castle and doesn’t know where it cam from. As so begins an evening of musical comedy and diner theatre mayhem.

Students of Northeast Kings Education Centre (NKEC) will be performing this year’s Dinner Theatre production The Case of the Highlander’s Dirk -- a Doorlocked Homes mystery.

Again as in the past 15 or so dinner theatre productions, Gordon Porter is the writer and director.

The performers are from the full age spectrum of the student body. “There are students from Grade 6 right through to Grade 12, which is the way I like it,” Porter said. As well, some of the parts have more than one actor.

It gives more people an opportunity to participate, and it helps the program continue into the future.

This year, there is a large number of students involved – a cast of 27 and stage crew of six. “It’s cyclical,” Porter said of interest in the productions. Two years ago, 13 cast members graduated all at once, but the newer members kept things going the next year with renewed interest.

This year, as well, show alumni – some going five years or so – performed a summer version at the Sheffield Mills Community Centre. “That was a good time,” Porter said.

Meanwhile, the project has acquired a good bank of costumes and props over the years, Porter acknowledged, “but we have to go out and find new ones every year.”

The cast list includes: Victoria Pilon as Rose Bailey; Ryan MacNab as Chief Insp. MacGregor; Sarah Woodworth and Alexis Brawn, Det. Allbright; George Hadjisterkoti and Jack Bateman, Cst. Browne; Jonathan Hiseler and Jack Bateman, Cst. Greene; Dale Gray, Sgt. Turner; Morgan Strickland and Emily Gale, Mrs. Hobson; Lucas Brehaut, Doorlocked Homes; Reid Morrison, Dr. James Wetson; Tomas Hiseler, Angus; Elizabeth Fox and Emily Gale, Mrs. McTavish; Rachael Strickland and Ruthie Payzant, Bonnie; Kylynne Sheffield and Ruthie Payzant, Betty; Michuela Miller and Sarah Cannon, Barbara; Julia Cann and Sarah Cannon, Mary; Faith Harrison and Alexis Brawn, Beth; Alex Trimper, Lord MacRonald; Nick Viner, Adrian MacRonald; and Sarah Hiseler, Katie Bray and Sarah Effenberger, Brenda.

Show times are Friday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m., and Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children. A choice of menu is also available.