Genetic monkeying comes to Shuswap Theatre

Oct 22-30, Salmon Arm –

Shuswap Theatre’s first mainstage production of the 2010-2011 season is ‘Chimera’, written by Canadian playwright Wendy Lill, who also wrote Shuswap Theatre’s Ozone Festival entry ‘The Fighting Days‘.

The word chimera (kymeera) is fairly commonly used in our modern vocabulary but its roots go back into the mists of ancient Greek mythology where the chimera was an evil being, an amalgam of creatures, breathing fire and making its first appearance in Homer’s ‘The Illiad’.

Today chimera is no longer an evil monster but the word has come to describe a hybrid that contains cells from two different species.

Directed by Peter Blacklock, the play was inspired by the writer’s experiences as one of 301 members of Parliament who passed a law on human reproductive technologies in 2004. “It was an important piece of legislation around issues that are so complicated that I know there were many of us who felt we didn’t really have a grasp on them as much as we should,” says Ms. Lill.

Narrating the story is struggling journalist, Roy Ruggles, who is targeting his childhood friend, Clare McGuire, a rookie Minister of Justice trying to defend her government’s bill against the attacks from right-wing opposition MP, George Fanning. Fanning has discovered that a scientist is implanting human stem cells in Rebus monkeys for autism research. Ruggles, who has a brother with Downs syndrome, is complicating the thorny issue as he tries to uncover a story.

Ms. Lill is known for her issue-oriented dramas and ‘Chimera‘ is no exception. This is part Parliament Hill and part personal involvement and it draws attention to a difficult issue that doesn’t seem to be about to go away.

The talented cast for ‘Chimera’ consists of Teresa McKerral, Julia Body, Fred Green, Randy Brogden, Joy Mayer and Cory Gates.

The production runs from Friday, October 22 to Saturday, October 30.

Preview night is Thursday, October 21 and tickets will be available at the door for $9.

Opening night, Friday, October 22, will include complimentary refreshments, appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for students and are available at the door or Wearabouts on Alexander Street in Salmon Arm. Doors open at 7pm, with curtain call at 8pm.

There is no show on Monday. Tuesday’s tickets are 2 for 1.

For more information go to http://www.shuswaptheatre.com or call one of the Producers — Julia Body 250-833-1496 or Teresa McKerral 250-832-6447.