Bullitt County Arts Council

Faery’s Kiss comes to life first time on St. Stephen Stage

By MELISSA SMITH

msmith@stcroixcourier.ca

ST. STEPHEN- The Faery’s Kiss has elements of humour, romance, mystery, and could have brought a tear to your eye with the bittersweet ending. The play opened on Thursday, July 30 with its Canadian Premier at the St. Stephen Middle School. The St. Croix Theatre Company brought the play to life upon the return of the script to Charlotte County.

The play was inspired and conceived within Charlotte County as playwright and director Bill Breuer looked out over the Bay of Fundy from the Chamcook area and developed a rural and coastal setting for the play.

Thomas Trent inherits a rural and coastal cottage from his grandfather he never met. Kerry Jackson is cast as Thomas Trent. Jackson portrayed the character to be a professional suit and tie kind of guy when it came to managing his affairs, and a practically thinking man in regards to his lack of belief in folklore.

Trent’s life changes when Fay Sprite, a chipper and mischievous fairy that dwells in the house comes into his life. Jackson creates a gradual change in his character as Trent becomes more enamored with the stories of the “wee folk”, his new estate, and Fay Sprite.

The role of Fay Sprite is double cast between Sarah Spires and Mandi Gagnon. Spires performed opening night and attracted the crowd to the character of Fay Sprite. It is difficult to describe the character of Fay in few words, as the character demands an array of emotions. Spires had to make quick changes in emotion as Fay’s antics and attitudes jumped from very happy and witty, to having her temperature rise with Trent’s disbelief, and her jealousy over Charlene Doll’s flirting.

Her mischievous pranks on houseguests and her antics used to solve problems received a great reaction. Fay’s ensemble was fun and very and what one might expect a fairy to wear.

Gagnon provides her own presentation of the character. Gagnon’s excitement about playing a fairy reflected in her acting as she portrayed Fay’s spirited personality. Gagnon also effectively made quick changes from one emotion to the next with the character of Fay. Gagnon brought much enthusiasm to the role. Gagnon’s costume also differed from Spires to help further her own outlook on the character. Cues for stage magic were timed well and Gagnon was also able to attract the crowd’s attention with her portrayal of Fay Sprite.

Trent’s longtime family lawyer Mr. Chetham, played by Michael Brown and Peter McLeod, welcomes Trent to the estate while also subtlety trying to swindle him out of his estate with tax troubles and the seductress, Charlene Doll. The role of Charlene is also double cast between Angela Curran and Jessica Blackier-Szakacs. Chetham and Charlene become the laughing stock amongst the other characters.

The family’s old housekeeper Mrs. Corrigan, played by Ella Goulding, aids Trent at the estate. Goulding portrays a very loveable motherly character that also represents a kind of comedic relief with her antics. Mrs. Corrigan also has a secret that the audience begins to realize in the second act of the play.

Tech and lighting effects were appropriate and helped to further create the essence of the story. Stage magic was effectively and subtlety used to create Fay’s magic tricks. The music for the play helped to portray the Celtic basis of the production. The set took the audience back to a 19th century rural setting and the sound of rolling waves created the coastal setting like the waves of the Bay of Fundy that helped inspire the story.

Final show times are Aug. 6-8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Stephen Middle School. The script has returned home and director and playwright Bill Breuer encourages audience members to prepare for an evening of magic.

(Reprinted with permission from the St. Croix Courier)