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Lacombe’s Forbeez Theatre Group prepping for debut spring production

Having been launched last fall, the Forbeez Theatre Group is excited to be prepping to present the musical Cinderella Rockerfella in April.
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The Forbeez Theatre Group is excited to be prepping to present the musical Cinderella Rockerfella in April. Photo submitted

Having been launched last fall, the Forbeez Theatre Group is excited to be prepping to present the musical Cinderella Rockerfella in April.

About 20 youths from Grades 4 to 7 are a part of the troupe, which is run under the direction of Alison Forbes, who created the group along with her husband Ross.

“It’s great. Rehearsals are going really well and the kids are just soaking it all up,” she said.

“We’ve done lots of teaching about stagecraft, acting skills, voice projection, and choreography,” she added. “I can also see a huge difference in a lot of them - they are much more confident now. In the beginning, some were quite shy.”

It’s also been terrific to see members of the troupe bond, she added, pointing to new friendships that have surfaced over the past several months.

“They are very supportive of each other as well.”

Rehearsals are held at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre, which is also where Cinderfella Rockerfella will be presented April 14-15.

Production times are 7 p.m. on April 14-15 plus a matinee show at 2 p.m. on April 15.

Tickets will be available soon, and those interested in attending are encouraged to check the group’s Facebook page and website for updates.

Alison added that some of the play’s proceeds will go to supporting a couple of local charities, too.

Meanwhile, the play is described as a ‘modern, panto-style re-working of a classic tale’.

“It’s a traditional pantomime, with the good fairy godmother and the baddy fairy Nastyboots,” explained Alison. “Cinderella is her good and honest self, with her horrid step sisters Augustina and Anastacia.

“And then there is Rockerfella, or Rocky, who is a rock star who decides he’s had enough of the rock star life and wants to give it all up,” she said.

Ultimately, it promises to be an engaging and uplifting show.

Alison said the production features nine songs and fun, comical dialogue.

In the meantime, it’s not just about rehearsing for the show but also very much about learning the ins and outs of the theatrical world, said Alison, who has been involved with theatre for more than 30 years.

She is also a teacher by trade, so the opportunity to mentor and guide youth in this way is really a dream come true, she said, adding that she would run after-school clubs in Scotland prior to her family’s move to Canada seven years ago.

In the meantime, it’s been fantastic to see the level of engagement continue to build.

“I’m very proud of them. And I’m so happy that I get to pass on some skills,” said Alison.

“It’s really exciting. My husband and I always really look forward to Tuesdays,” she added of the weekly production rehearsals. “It’s something different and something new.

“We are entertaining each other every week. We have fun! And they teach me things, too. Being involved with theatre brings me joy - that’s what it does for me.”

For more about the Forbeez Theatre Group, go to www.forbeez.ca, email forbeeztheatregroup@gmail.com or call 780-340-3047.

As mentioned, for all the latest updates, find them on Facebook as well.



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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