Local talent brings play to life

By Judi Straughan

Once upon a time in Espanola and Killarney, there lived two girls who dreamed about being actors. They both grew up in their separate communities and never met — until now.

Deborah Drakeford, who grew up in Espanola from age nine to 17, is back in the north, playing Branwen, witch sister to Katherine East’s Modron at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Both are featured as witch sisters in Charles Way’s Sleeping Beauty, opening Dec. 5.

East, who grew up in Killarney, was inspired by her creative elementary school teacher Anne Reid, while Drakeford cannot say enough about her mentor, Espanola’s Walter Maskell.

“Espanola was a launching pad for me. We did the Pirates of Penzance in 1983 and I was hooked for life,” she said.
East went on from Mr. McGuire’s elementary school play to five years as a drama major at Sudbury Secondary school; five enriching years with other talented, like-minded students.

“I grew up in a creative family that actually loved playing and was so supportive of any decision I made about my career. When I was in high school, I would dream about being on the STC stage; a stage that was, for me, even more important than Stratford. Performing here is so special to me,” she said.

Both little girls’ dreams have come true. Both have carved out highly successful careers in theatre and film. Both have returned home to perform on the stage that might have seemed so elusive when they were children.

“STC’s version of Sleeping Beauty has all the elements of the traditional, well-known fairy tale,” said East, “and much, much more.”

Added Drakeford: “It’s all about three youngsters finding their own true selves. Briar Rose is a real kid. She can’t stand the pressure of her parents thinking she is perfect and longs to break out — like any real kid.”

At the centre of the story are two boys, Prince Owain, played by Curtis Tweedie, and Gryff, a half dragon, played by James Wallis. In the story, the boys embark upon a great adventure to save Briar Rose, who is doomed by a witch’s curse to sleep for 100 years.

Drakeford and East both agree that this play has massive appeal for boys.

“There’s lots of magic, witches, smoke and mirrors, sword play- piles of things boys will love. Even though parts of the story might be a bit scary, it’s ultimately a rich and colourful spectacle peopled by real characters we can all identify with. Adults will love this show as much as the kids,” they said.

What becomes clear in conversation with these talented actors is their passion: passion for their art, for acting and for this show. Occasionally, these “little girls” from northern Ontario stumble as they try to find the words to express how proud they are to be in Sudbury doing such a spectacular and meaningful piece of theatre.

Sleeping Beauty, directed by Stratford director Darcy Evans, plays weekends only from Dec. 5 to 20.

Judi Straughan is the education co-ordinator with the Sudbury Theatre Centre.