“Taking a risk is what theatre is all about,” says Irene. “We can do esoteric work but if nobody comes to see it, why are we doing it?” That is why the couple carefully scrutinizes over their demographic, producing pieces that draw audiences to the Gayety Theatre for a cultural cornucopia of theatrical events, season after season.
“It’s definitely a labour of love and we’re wearing many hats,” confesses Irene.
Being a not-for-profit organization presents many challenges for the couple, which they have a genuine knack for overcoming with creativity, dedication to their craft, and a hard-nosed approach towards the financials.
“We’re big into fundraising because we have to, not only to raise capital so that we can bring in top-notch talent but to keep the art of theatre alive.”
On her husband’s attributes, marketing mastermind Irene has coined Steve as a Renaissance Man because, “He loves the research, and the composing of the entire production.”
Steve’s experience in teaching, acting, and now as artistic director has enabled him to become more in tune with the evolution of sociology. “The theatre is full of lateral thinkers who possess a wide variety of knowledge in the arts,” he said. “We have to know these things and meet their expectations.”
This year’s theme – Fire, Passion and Phantoms – presents a consensus among colleagues to keep it comedic and equally intriguing in an effort to tailor-fit patrons who are as keen for the big screen as they are for the stage.
Steve points out, “When we compare theatre production to the world of filmmaking, both require an exorbitant amount of research. Yet unlike film, where the actual magic takes place in the editing room, the enchantment of theatre occurs simultaneously, between actor and audience.”
Reflecting on their personal life, the couple agrees there are times when they disagree. But as Irene admits, “We respect each other’s areas of expertise, although at times, we do give each other a hard time but we eventually work things out.”
“We have to,” adds Steve, hugging his wife. “We live and work together.”
Curtain Call
The curtain will rise in June at the Gayety Theatre with “Wingfield’s Inferno.”
A one-man show loosely based on Dante’s journey through hell, purgatory and finally heaven, the story is contemporized but the underlying message remains the same.
Next, it’s “Sexy Laundry.”
A hilarious comedy about midlife crisis that takes a microscopic look at what happens when couples lose connection with each other, and themselves.
Finally, “The Woman in Black.”
This particular brand of psychological thriller creates rapture for fear in the theatre of the mind. The brilliant adaptation from Susan Hill’s novel to the stage production is comparable to the creep-factor found in Faust’s bewitching tales of Mephistopheles. The Woman in Black haunts us with renaissance magic. Set amidst the backdrop of 19th century England, it’s a spine-chilling tale that will leave an unforgettable impression for lovers of a bonafide ghost story. With over eighty sound cues from the production’s Artistic Director, Steve, the multi-layered plot will have audiences walk away with myriad of goosebumps.
Behind The Scenes At Theatre Collingwood
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