I play a number of different characters, at last count I believe it was ……12!!!! Lol
What is your background in theatre?
I have performed in ten other plays at the wonderful Walterdale and for various theatre groups in and around the Edmonton area.
What brought you out for The 39 Steps?
I read the script and thought it was wonderfully funny, fast paced, and I really wanted to be a part of it!
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
Being allowed to take comedic chances and working with a great hard working team.
Why do you think people should come see The 39 Steps at Walterdale?
Because it’s funny and a who-done-it as well!
The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film?
I am lucky enough to be one of 4 Clowns! The clowns play the entirety of the ensemble. Between the 4 of us, we play every supporting character. The Clowns are ridiculous, fluid, fun and quite an interesting challenge as an actor!
What is your background in theatre?
I have been in the Performing Arts since I was a young girl. My first role was Baby John in West Side Story and I have played many characters over my last 25 years in theatre, from Shakespeare to Sondheim! I have an extensive background in plays and musicals as well as a few production roles. The theatre is my greatest love.This is my 4th production with the Walterdale and I am absolutely delighted to be back!
What brought you out for The 39 Steps?
I love old British comedies! I often would watch them with my Grandfather growing up. The timing, the slapstick, the silliness – It is all great fun. Being in the cast of The 39 Steps is the perfect way to release all the creative energy that has been stored up over the last few years!
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
Our amazing CAST and CREW. We are so blessed to be working with an inspired Director and amazingly talented Cast and Crew.
Why do you think people should come see The 39 Steps at Walterdale?
This show is a MUST to experience. Step out of the heaviness of the world and into a world of laughter, mystery and romance!
Liam McKinnon is one of four boisterous, ignominious, and loveable Clowns.
Hi Liam! What do you do in the show in your role as one of the Clowns?
In The 39 Steps, the title of the character “clown” is a stand-in for the different ensemble roles that are in the show. With two titled clowns in the show’s description and with two dozen or more ensemble characters, it is entirely possible for The 39 Steps to have a cast of 4, or a cast of 24. Each of the ensemble characters are not only uniquely fun to explore on and off stage, but they all allow me to be active for and with my fellow cast-mates.
What is your background in theatre?
I started “acting” back when I was in Elementary School; performing in Christmas shows that my Mom put together for our congregation at Glory Lutheran Church, and presenting skits from cartoons and stand-up comedy shows in front of my classmates. It was a time when my proudest moment was performing the entire first third of The SpongeBob Squarepants movie for my Grade 4 class, then performing it again for our substitute teacher so that she wouldn’t be confused if I continued.
After experiencing the highs and lows of honour choir, Junior High and High School theatre, and a performance in the Edmonton Fringe Festival of 2017, I studied Theatre Arts at MacEwan University and got a diploma for all the craziness that we went through. I then was cast in Theatre Calgary’s SBTB production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and was going to be in a community theatre production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? before the COVID-19 pandemic had spread across Canada.
This is the first time since I was in University that I will be performing on an Edmonton stage and I am very excited to return with this cast and crew.
What brought you out for The 39 Steps?
The simple answer is: A need for work 🙄
But The 39 Steps actually holds an interesting place in my heart. I had seen the show years back at the Provincial One-Act Festival in Red Deer and I remember I did not stop laughing for a minute. I was in tears from start to finish. Yet, when I walked out of the theatre, I couldn’t remember a single thing about the show itself.
It’s a busy yet focused piece of work, operating as a farce, a romance, and a mystery piece. What made me want to play one of the clowns though was VERY MUCH the desire to play multiple characters in a single show. I’ve done ensemble shows before but NOTHING like this, and never with this much interest in each individual character; even with the ones I don’t play.
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
I love working on a show where every rehearsal is a joy to behold. Even on days when I am not on the call sheet, I gladly come and sit in to see what these amazing artists will do next. I love to see them explore, improvise, and discover new possibilities for their characters AND see what the production team comes up with for the set, costumes, and lighting. Writing this now, I light up thinking about what the next rehearsal will bring and I hope that I can time my window in traffic perfectly so that I never miss a moment.
Why do you think people should come see The 39 Steps at Walterdale?
I think that every artist has made a significant contribution to this production and I feel that contribution is not solely driven by a desire to self-promote or cement one’s own brand or the brand of the company. Of course we all want to put on a good show that is entertaining for our audience, but I feel that every one of the production members is making the choices that they are making from a place of love and respect for each member of the team.
Even if someone is not a fan of this particular brand of comedy, I do still feel that they should come and see it. In no small way, I feel that this is a clear example of what community theatre SHOULD BE about; connecting with the members of your community to create art that shares who they are as creatives and as people.
The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film?
Oh Boy… A LOT! The 1930s and 40s were such fascinating decades for the motion picture industry, not just in North America, but around the world. Some of the most influential films, characters and iconic celebrities came out of this era and many, myself included, hold up the films of this time as some of the greatest films ever produced.
For my own sake, and for my director’s piece of mind, I want to share a few titles for films that are less well-known today and encourage you to check even just one of them out for yourself. I love them and I hope you do too. The Red Shoes, Double Indemnity, The Great Dictator, Gentleman’s Agreement, La Belle et la Bête, Brief Encounter, Bicycle Thieves, The Classic Universal Monster movies, and the all-time classic REEFER MADNESS!
Introducing Lauren Tamke, who plays Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela in The 39 Steps
Hi Lauren! Tell us about your characters in the show!
I am extremely delighted to play three distinct characters throughout the show including Annabella, a mysterious German spy; Margaret, a sheltered Scottish lass; and Pamela, an upper class English woman.
What is your background in theatre?
The majority of my theatre work has taken place within my university experience at Concordia Edmonton in mainstage and one act festival shows and within community theatres in and around Edmonton, both as an actor and director. Most recently, I acted in The Comedy of Errors (Adriana) and Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio/Francis) as part of Prime Stock Theatre’s outdoor Shakespeare festival. At Walterdale, this is my third show. Previously I acted in Queen Milli of Galt (Mona) and directed the farce, Boeing Boeing. I love the Walterdale community and I am happy to be back on stage here!
What brought you out for The 39 Steps?
So many reasons! The “spy comedy” genre is one of my favourites and the synopsis spoke to me instantly. The timing was also super serendipitous because I saw the audition posting while packing to move back to Edmonton the following week. And I was super excited at the chance to work with director Kristen Finlay! I’m SO happy to be a part of the show.
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
I am loving the playful and productive energy of rehearsals and being back in the same physical space as my awesome production team and cast. Every night at rehearsal is a blast!
Why do you think people should come see The 39 Steps at Walterdale?
The show is light-hearted, slapsticky, and 100% bound to let the audience escape into the silliness and fun therein.
The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film?
My favourite film from the 1930s-40s would have to be Gaslight!
Hi Lucas! Tell us a bit about the character you play, Richard Hannay!
Richard is a man who has seen the world pass him by. His friends have moved on in one way or another. He looks at the world and the people around him. He’s tired of division and the craziness of the world. His hope is for a good world, a better world, one where we look after each other… though he’s up for a Grand Adventure.
What is your background in theatre?
I graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Ed. with a Major in Drama. I was a theatre kid in high school and part of a core group that formed the Fort Saskatchewan Company “Rare Form Theatre” where I performed in The Importance of being Earnest, Beware of the Quickly Who and Fools. I left for Prince Rupert and became a radio morning show host and got involved in the improv scene as a co-founder of the improv troupe “Hook, Line and Snicker.” A few years back, I also accomplished my life-long goal of performing in the Edmonton international Fringe Festival with the production Stones in His Pockets. I returned to Edmonton pre-pandemic and taught Drama, directing high school productions with my brother, friend and collaborator Christian Zyp. Christian is a friend who I’m grateful for, and who inspires me to tackle many creative projects. This is my first production with Walterdale and I’m thrilled to take the stage under the direction of the talented Kristen Finlay.
What brought you out for the show?
In a twist of fate, I opened the Theatre Alberta newsletter which happened to be in my junk mail folder. There I found the audition posting for The 39 Steps. It’s been a long stretch of isolation with the pandemic continually hanging over us, so I wanted to jump into a creative project and have some fun with other creative minds. I read the opening monologue and instantly felt a connection to the lead character. Not only was I the same age as the character, but we both have a moustache! Kristen’s message of creating a show to make us all laugh resonated with me. This gave me the motivation to be a part of a piece of theatre that will bring a smile to audiences. After what has been a very difficult stretch of human history it will be nice to share some laughter with theatre goers.
What are you enjoying the most about working on this show so far?
When you’ve got such a funny script, talented cast and crew, it makes for a fun time exploring the world of The 39 Steps. How incredibly lucky I feel to work with such a great team. It was an interesting start to our rehearsal process over zoom and eventually meeting in person. It’s been a blast creating, collaborating, getting into hijinks, chases and mischief. The Walterdale Theatre is now our playground and we can’t wait to share what we’ve discovered with you. We look forward to sharing the mystery, laughter and fun with audiences at the Walterdale Theatre.
Why do you think people should come see this show?
Do you like fun? It’s been heavy with global conflict and the pandemic still looming. We hope to give you a break from what has been a hard stretch. Take a chance, sit back, relax, go on a wild ride by seeing The 39 Steps come to life. Come check out the incredibly talented cast and crew under the direction of our fearless leader Kristen Finlay. We all need to laugh… So here’s your chance!
The 39 Steps is based on the Hitchcock film (which is based on the John Buchan novel)… do you have a favourite Hitchcock film? OR a favourite 1930s-40s film?
The 39 Steps radiates spies, espionage and fun. A film that I love which incorporates all these elements is Double Indemnity. It’s everything a classic mystery/thriller (Film Noire) should be.
Who are you and what is your role in this production? My name is Rebecca Bissonnette and I get the honour of playing two real life heroes – Yetta Lubitz an immigrant factory worker and Rose Schneiderman a union organizer. The characters are quite different – Yetta is a young, immature and vulnerable girl looking to better herself, while Rose is a strong, opinionated speaker who does whatever is necessary to create change.
What is your background in theatre? With Walterdale? My background in theatre isn’t a big one……not yet anyway. My very first show ever was only a few years ago, here at the Walterdale when I was cast as Mrs. French in Ravenscroft. My background is mainly in dance, having been a studio dancer for 15 years and recently returned to the dance floor over the past couple of years to launch my own dance troupe. While I might have come rather late to the theatre party, I consider myself quickly making up for lost time, having been blessed enough to work with some of the best community theatres around – Foote in the Door, Trinity Players, Element Theatre and Paper Doll Productions.
Why do you think people should come see The Triangle Fire Factory Project? I believe that when real life tells a story, people need to listen. This is so much more then words on a paper – these are words spoken by real live people, people who have experienced such tragedy, such devastation, such heartbreak. Their stories need to be told, so that we never forget and hopefully aren’t doomed to repeat.
On top of that, this show is full of such passionate people on both the cast and crew. With a show that has so many moving parts, it could very easily turn into a disaster. BUT, the commitment, hard work, dedication and joy (yes joy) with which everyone has approached this show, has easily made it one of my favourites to work on. I would work with anyone of them again in a heartbeat. People need to come see this show based on its collective heart.
Since this show deals with workplace ‘issues’ – What was your first job? How old were you and what did it entail? Let’s be real – my first job was as a lazy teenager, not wanting to work, but was told by my grandma that I wasn’t sitting around her beach house all summer. So, I was a dishwasher at the town restaurant. It was physically hard, I stunk of grease and was constantly sweaty, but I got free meals. And at 13, that’s all you can ask for.
What is your role in The Triangle Factory Fire Project? I am an immigrant. I am a Jew. I helped to make this country strong and diverse. They call me Eddie Markowitz – the head shipping clerk at the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory – played by Kingsley Leung.
What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? This is my 3rd Walterdale production. When they need Asians or funny looking guys, I get the call. My willingness to shave my body and wear high heels on stage make my talents very unique.
Why do you think audiences should see this show? This will be the best Rom-Com you will see this century! Fiery relationships that go up in smoke, burning desires and trailblazing women.
This is a show about terrible working conditions… to lighten the mood, do you have any funny work stories? As a hospital porter, I was bringing body parts and limbs down to the morgue. I was in the elevator trying to keep everything from falling off my cart, when the doors open with a bunch of doctors standing there and I ask them, “Do you mind if I get a hand?”. That was exquisite fooling!
Who are you and what is your role in this production? My name is Kent Sutherland, and I play Max Blanck one of the co-owners of the Triangle Waist Factory. Blanck is not a very nice person and along with his fellow co-owner, Isaac Harris, the duo was named as one of the Top 10 Worst Bosses in America by TIME Magazine. I also helped build the set and some of the props.
What is your background in theatre? I was involved with theatre throughout elementary and junior high, and then got back into as an adult with my first production being at Walterdale – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I have since done musicals with Festival Players, Two ONE-WAY Tickets to Broadway, Foote in the Door, and, of course, Walterdale. This is my first non-musical role in a very long time.
Why do you think people should come see The Triangle Fire Factory Project? The story is a significant part of history. It was this fire that was the catalyst for changes in building codes, the implementation of fire drills, and better working conditions for women and immigrants. The play explores the historical, political and social ramifications that resulted from this seminal event, and examines the continuing modern day concerns of corporate greed and responsibility, and the moral and ethical issues surrounding the question, “what is the value of a human life?” Also, the way our director has decided to stage the show is sure to have an effect on the audience and have their feelings run the gamut.
Worst job you ever had, and why? Probably the worst job I ever had was working the graveyard shift at the 7-11 that used to be on 99 St. and 90 Ave. one summer. There was supposed to be two people working the shift, but my co-worker often/always called in sick leaving me to work alone. There were several “interesting” incidents at that location during the graveyard shift while I was employed, and there were several times I did not feel all that safe. During one shift, a customer came in asking where the bathroom was, and I looked up to see his face covered in blood — all I could do was point in the direction of the bathroom.
The Triangle Factory Fire Projectruns October 10-20, 2018. Click here for tickets.
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