TIMING IS EVERYTHING for the people behind the scenes, like
lighting and sound technicians in the Skeena Theatre Arts’
production of Ghostchasers last weekend.

The best
from
the stacks

by Harriet Fjaagesund

Laua

Something

different

from Skeena Theatre

Skeena Theatre Arts students’
latest production is quite a change
from their previous effort, but the
performances last weekend still
bore the stamp of conscientious
dramatic intent with an air of
professionalism.

Ghostchasers, unlike Juice, was
not a serious piece, marked pri-
marily by camp and a lot of slap-
stick with accompanying noise. it
was entertaining and showed off
some genuine comic stage talent to
good effect.

It was a full-length production in
four acts on a single stage set.and
one intermission. The plot, a take-
off .on Ghostbusters, involves a

large group of harmlessly wacky
inmates of a country retreat for the
"extremely tense". There is also a
complicating factor in the form of
a poltergeist, but complicating
‘subplots are fortunately absent.
Staging a comic production is no
easier in technical terms than pro-
ducing a serious piece, and for the

most part Ghostchasers showed

evidence of homework well done.
Stage positioning, line delivery,

and the backup efforts were poli-

shed to the point of being virtually
invisible.

. In acting terms the roles weren't
easy to carry off, being full of the
potential hazards of hyperbole. The

hing and learning

-cast, Susan Munson in particular,

were able to give the characters
charm. rather than repetition. In
some sections it became too obvi-
ous that the actors were playing to
a specific segment of the house,
and a few minutes of Act Ill
dragged when the "normal charact-

-ers" conducted a lengthy scene in -
“the absence of the "loonies" and

appeared’ somewhat lost without
their crazy foils. , .
Overall, however, it was a nice
piece of work, showing again
theater arts teacher Brian Koven’s
uncanny ability to draw out the
professional discipline and quality
in a group of young people. Proof, ©
if any more is really needed, that
the theater arts program is one of
local education’s most valuable
resources and a fountain of.enter-
tainment as well.

It's tense out there, behind —
the scenes -- but energetic

Contributed for the
Terrace and District
Teachers’ Association

It’s dark backstage. The
Skeena Theatre Arts students
are milling about quietly, listen-
ing for their cue in the sounds

and says, ‘‘I have to act con-
stipated.”’
Then the opening music
begins, and their antics are hush-
ed. Ghostchasers is on.

The positive experiences-
gained from Koven’s Theatre
Arts program go beyond self-

confidence and public speaking.
There’s a camraderie, a feeling
of group accomplishment -
developing in these kids. There’s
an outlet for self-expression and
a medium for self-discipline.

And then there’s the energy.
You can feel it backstage.

echoing from out front. One boy
stands deep in concentration,
chewing his fingernail.

This is a class project, a part
of school, but not at all like
math homework. Ask these kids
why they’re taking Theatre Arts,
and they invariably answer,
‘*Tt’s an easy credit.”’ But watch-
ing their faces backstage, it’s ob-
vious there’s more to it. As one

- student put it, ‘‘It’s almost like a
high to get up on the stage.”

Brian Koven, the teacher, is a
perfectionist in his preparation
for opening night. Each
costume, each make-up applica-
tion is inspected for flaws during
dress rehearsal. Then he’s mov-
ing around the set, adjusting
rugs, vases of flowers, pictures
and books. One of his students
affectionately mimicked him
backstage, . ‘“That’s not per-
fect”

Koven expects his students to
be responsible for details, too.
He spoke to them about keeping
track of costumes and props be-
tween rehearsals and perform-
ances. ‘It’s up to you, I will not
solve your problems for you. If
you have to go onstage naked, I
will not bail you out.” They
seemed to get the message.

“Mr. Koven is definitely not
~ like the usual teacher,” says one

student. ‘‘He tells the worst
" puns!’” adds another. But they

‘all listen carefully when he’s PISCES
talking, = Feb. 19-Mar. 20

‘Behind the sets, in the dress-
ing room you can almost touch
‘the tense energy coming from
‘the student actors. They dance
and leap around each other, ad-
justing costumes and make-up.
“TI had this awful dream, I ere a ah aia
might be a good idea to turn.on every light in the house! couldn’t remember my lines.” | a 5 eseater for large and

Ramsey Campbell is Britain’s Stephen King. He has won more The boys pound on the girls’ * gf Sina parties ana ploncs
awards for horror fiction than any other living writer. Look for dressing ‘room door, to cries of oe a Uhh omer cee
hig other titles: The Influence, Obsession, Incarnate, The Hungry .,,.““Don't come ‘in, we're getting 4603 Park Ave. Terrace (across from the library)”

Mon, and Dark Companions. | “changed!” One girl looks up [2

Tough Guys Don’t Dice — A Cookbook
For Men Who Can’t Cook
Adult non-fiction by James A. Thorson
Published by William Morrow and Company, Inc.

This book is specifically geared for all you men who don’t
know beans about cooking (and may not want to). Some of you |
may even be in doubt as to the exact whereabouts of the kitchen,

The author takes the mystery out of cooking. In a colorful
language that is redolent of dirty socks and locker room banter,
he takes you, step by step, through all the basics.

The recipes range from boiling an egg to baking a pie. He lists
shortcuts that make the job of cooking a breeze. You'll even find
some useful tips on how to get rid of unwanted houseguests! _

Self-sufficiency in the kitchen is the by-word. This book will
‘teach you how to fend for yourself when your wife is visiting her
sister. You can surprise her by gaining four pounds.

This book is wonderful. I was shocked, surprised, embar-
rassed, even mortified. I also laughed so hard my ribs hurt. I
even learned a few things J didn’t know. =

Now if I can just get my husband to read this book. He’s great.
at helping in the kitchen, but some of his meals are a little
strange. And others are downright odd.

Confidential career matters are emphasized.
Keep domestic affairs separate from business
matterslest you find aconflict of interest.

Responsibility for the successful operation of an.
organization seems to fall your way. Friends and
. associates offer helpand guidance.

Taking control of a project in which you have
considerable power brings an awareness of your
true capabilities. .

Present aspects indicate the need to think deeply
about where you should direct your energies—
what direction to take.

Indiscriminate-experimentation in matters per-
taining to health and well being can be risky. A
negative attitude usually brings trouble.

VIRGO _. Things may look greener on the other side of the
Aug. 23-Sept.22 fence, but you would do better with the old famillar
__ wellestablished.

Disruption where you live and/or where you work
_ causes you to wonder at what could possibly hap-
pennext.

Aspects indicate a period of serious study ina
formal educational program designed to increase
career potential.

Financial limitations emphasize the fact that we
have to. work for our rewards. The ‘‘free ride’’-
" is very elusive.

. Let go of the past and start building your future
ona firm foundation. Friends, partners, career,
may undergo change.

Behind-the-scenes contacts are apt to propel you
into the limelight. Service to others is where you
shine.

Domestic responsibilities ease up somewhat and
you are able to turn your attention to your own
future security. ;

Mar. 21-Apr. 19

’ TAURUS
Apr. 20-May 20

GEMINI
May 21-June20

CANCER |
June 21-July 22

LEO
July 23-Aug. 22

- Ancient Images by Ramsey Campbell
Adult horror fiction published by Charles Scribner's Sons

Graham Nolan, researcher for London’s Metropolitan Televi-
sion, unearths what may be the sole surviving print of the long-
forgotten Boris Karloff/Bela Lugosi film, Tower of Fear.

Graham invites colleague Sandy Allan, a film editor at
Metropolitan, to view Tower of Fear. But before Sandy has a .
chance to view the film, Graham inexplicably commits suicide.
And the film vanishes. | a

Sandy has the uncanny feeling that Graham’s suicide is
somehow tied up with the disappearance of the film. With the
help of Roger Stone, a writer and researcher, Sandy sets out to
secover the film.

She contacts people still living who worked on Tower of Fear.
None of them seems willing to openly discuss the film. They
make vague references to a plague of bad luck during the film-.
ing. . _

- Shadows and strange sounds dog Sandy’s heels, half-seen
things that don’t quite materialize. As she delves deeper,-a terri- .
‘ble suspicion forms at the back of her mind.

“Ramsey Campbell’s use of words is chilling. If you’re a horror
fan-and haven’t had a chance to read this book, grab it. But if
you're going to read this at night, especially if you’re alone, it

LIBRA
Sept. 23-Oct. 22

SCORPIO
Oct. 23-Nov. 21

SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22-Dec, 21

CAPRICORN
Dec, 22-Jan. 19

AQUARIUS
Jan, 20-Feb, 18

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