By Jules Xavier - Comox Valley Record - April 09, 2008

Theatregoers looking forward to seeing the Albert (Ginger) Goodwin story told in song and dance on a stage will have to wait until 2009 for that viewing pleasure.

That’s if Showcase Theatre Festival managing director Vincent Dupuis and artistic director Jeff Hyslop can scrape enough cash together to produce Dancing in the Coal Dust. Any corporate donors in the Comox Valley with $300,000 in loose change collecting dust would be welcome as financial backers for this historical musical.

It’s not easy being a professional theatre organization in a community already inundated with thriving community theatre groups. April is a hive of activity when it comes to plays being staged. With the advent of May, there are a few more, plus plenty of dance recitals competing for our entertainment dollars.

Dupuis concedes this, but believes his product has an audience, too. His surveys have told him so, but after cumulative deficits since its inception, the economics of showcasing professional theatre in a rural environment have been a challenging endeavour for individuals involved with Showcase Theatre Festival.

Despite the work already done on the Ginger Goodwin story, Dupuis had to pull the plug on this and two other productions that were slated for this summer. According to Dupuis, recent public readings of the production had enlivened passions towards professional theatre, the history of our community and early settlers, and the bursting potential of the Village of Cumberland.

However, funding and resources have not been sufficient to offset the low box office returns during the past three years — despite strong community support for Showcase and its dream for professional theatre on the North Island.

As Dupuis put it, on behalf of the Showcase board, “To address revenue shortfalls and ensure the long-term viability of professional theatre in our community, Showcase Theatre Festival is regretfully announcing the deferral of its repertory 2008 season to 2009.”

The much-anticipated artists walk in Cumberland, and Young People’s Theatre program, will continue as planned.

There is a bright future in sight for the recently commissioned work Dancing in the Coal Dust, acknowledged Dupuis. However, significant support and resources will be required to mount this work with the professionalism for which it was written.

To meet these requirements, Showcase announced its plans to “sub-contract” the production and other presentations to Jeff Hyslop Productions. Showcase Theatre Festival will continue in a contractor role, and will honour all existing commitments.

Ticket-holders for the 2008 season may either request a refund — ticket sales have been held “in trust” — turn their purchase into a tax-deductible donation, or have their order held in trust until the play is produced in the future.

Showcase will continue as a trimmed-down, non-profit society, and commence fundraising to produce Dancing in the Coal Dust and other works in 2009.

Jeff Hyslop Productions will become a “presenting function” of Showcase in a commercial, limited partnership model. It will invite investors to participate in either Dancing in the Coal Dust, Jeff Hyslop Productions, or both. Hyslop said his mandate is to present “professional theatre at its best. It’s guerrilla theatre with small casts.”

This will be achieved immediately through hosting touring productions; presenting its own existing company in small shows; engaging in co-productions with other professional companies on the Island or in the province; and of course, developing Dancing in the Coal Dust for presentation in a touring production, and opening in Cumberland in 2009.

Continuity is ensured as the “creative team” of Hyslop, Dupuis and music director David Warrack are also the general partners in the production company.

“My dream and my commitment to present world-class theatre on the North Island has not diminished,” offered Hyslop. “Our creativity has been challenged as we look for innovative ways to achieve this dream. I look forward to working with the community in the year ahead to bring Dancing in the Coal Dust and other exciting productions to the stage.”

Jules S. Xavier is the Record’s assistant editor.