Present Laughter is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Walterdale Theatre acknowledges that our theatre is located on Treaty 6, a traditional territory of the Cree and has been an important trading place of the Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Dene, and Métis peoples of western Canada for many thousands of years. We also recognize and honour that we are Treaty people and therefore seek to uphold the spirit and intent of this Treaty.
We are an Edmonton-based community theatre committed to the production of engaging and vibrant works and providing our member volunteers opportunities to participate in all aspects of theatre production.
Want to get involved with Walterdale?
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at stage management, acting, directing, or even media relations in theatre?
Walterdale Theatre has been successfully run by its volunteers for more than 60 years now, and we invite you to join our team. Whether you can donate a few hours or a few seasons, we are always looking for new volunteers to help grow our theatre.
The best way to get involved at Walterdale is to become a member today! You will receive news about shows, special events, opportunities to volunteer or audition, and discounts on tickets.
For more information about joining Walterdale, go to our website at www.walterdaletheatre.com, e-mail us at walterph@telus.net, or call us at 780-439-3058. We will get back to you!
Dramatis Personae
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Daphne Stillington | Stephanie Swensrude |
| Miss Erikson | Mélissa Masse |
| Fred | Drake Seipert |
| Monica Reed | Donna Call |
| Garry Essendine | Randy Brososky |
| Liz Essendine | Angela James-Findlay |
| Roland Maule | Andréus Wallace |
| Morris Dixon | Aaron Smith |
| Hugo Lyppiatt | Colin Stewart |
| Joanna Lyppiatt | Kate Power |
| Lady Saltburn | Jacqueline Lotery |
Production Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | John Anderson |
| Assistant Director | Michael Anderson |
| Intimacy Director | Sarah Spicer |
| Costume Designer | Megan Reti |
| Lighting Designer | Richard Hatfield |
| Set Designer | Laurel Bailey Ferchoff-Sander |
| Sound Designer | Anne Marie Szucs |
| Production Manager | Rebecca Cave |
| Mentor Production Manager | Louise Mallory |
| Stage Manager | Pat Sirant |
| Master Builder | Andrew Selwood |
| Master Painter/Poster Design | Afrah Collier-Potts |
| Properties Master | Kendra Nordstrom |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Moemen Gaafar |
| Lighting Operator | Sharon Adebisi |
| Sound Operator | Alice Oscar |
| Fight Captain | Aaron Smith |
| Build Crew | Andrew Selwood, Dennis Bedard, Harmen de Vries, Ken New, Kendra Nordstrom, Mohammed Wael, Pierre Valois, Richard Hatfield |
| Paint Crew | Joan Heys Hawkins, Megan Vetsch, Kendra Nordstrom, Angela James-Findlay, Colleen Allen |
| Technical Advisor | Richard Hatfield |
| Captioner | Shannon Wiebe |
Director’s Notes
“I’m always acting! Watching myself go by. That’s what’s so horrible…”
I believe Present Laughter is Coward’s best play. He wrote it just as he was coming into fame, and so Garry faces a dilemma in this story: he wants everyone’s attention, while also loathing how much they want from him. The conflict is in how those competing wants cannot reconcile. I look at this play as a Boy Who Cried Wolf story. By the start of Present Laughter, Garry has acted overdramatically both on and offstage for so long, everyone just thinks he is being dramatic, even though he is sincerely going through some sort of breakdown. Pay attention to how often he alludes to suicide or death or never returning home, and how often the other characters just shrug it off.
A classic Farce includes a lot of slamming doors, as characters enter and exit in rapid succession. But you can always hide behind a door. For Coward’s play, which explores the psychological toll a Farce (or fame) might have on a real human, it felt right to not give Garry the comfort of closed doors. Therefore, you will find no doors on our Set. Characters can simply appear at their will to torment Garry and demand his attention. Coward’s and Garry’s anxieties are heightened in our exposed setting.
This production is dedicated to my great uncle, Allan Eastman.
~ John Anderson
| Synopsis |
|---|
| At the center of his own universe sits matinee idol, Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic, and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His “harmless” affairs with infatuated debutantes are largely tolerated, but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered, and all hell breaks loose! |
| Setting |
|---|
| Garry Essendine’s apartment, December 1957, Christmas time. |
| Run Time |
|---|
| First Act: 90 minutes 15-minute intermission Second Act: 60 minutes |
| Acknowledgements |
|---|
| Scott Henderson; Henderson Images; Donna and Rick Garvin |
Cast Biographies
Garry Essendine – Randy Brososky
Randy Brososky has been writing, directing, producing and performing for stage and screen for over 30 years. He has played Salieri in Amadeus as well as Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. He’s thrilled to return to Walterdale, where he was the artistic director from 2007-2009, directed Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and starred in such shows as Cyrano de Bergerac and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. Randy likes cheese.
Monica Reed – Donna Call
Donna is honoured to be part of Present Laughter – epic Noel Coward, and the Walterdale family once again. You may have seen her in last year’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Next she is gearing up for a production of her new one-act, HAGS, coming to Fringe 2026!
Liz Essendine – Angela James-Findlay
Angela is delighted to be back on the Walterdale stage as Liz Essendine! Angela is a theatre artist and educator based in Edmonton. Having been mostly behind the scenes with projects last year, Angela has enjoyed being back on stage with this amazing cast and crew! Enjoy the show!
Lady Saltburn – Jacqueline Lotery
Jackie’s been involved with theatre, both on and off the stage, for more years that she’d like to mention! She’s performed in Walterdale’s Follies, Sinbad the Sailor, Black Hearts in the Green Room, and A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Jackie was also a British accent coach for Mary Poppins in Barbados. She’s delighted to be returning to Walterdale.
Miss Erikson – Mélissa Masse
Mélissa is thrilled to be back on the Walterdale stage. She considers herself beyond fortunate to share her love of theatre with such a talented cast, dedicated crew and passionate community. What a dream! Pinch her. Or don’t. Maybe just pinch a cigarette.
Joanna Lyppiatt – Kate Power
Kate is very excited to be your Joanna, and to share the Walterdale stage with this incredible cast and crew! Kate is a local actor who is also working on her Masters of Counselling. In between rehearsals and studying, Kate likes to read and cuddle with her two cats. You can connect with Kate on instagram: @thekatepower. Thank you so much for coming, and enjoy the chaos that is Present Laughter!
Fred – Drake Seipert
Drake, a 19 year old Sherwood Park actor, performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Clue: On Stage, Grease (Bev Facey Community HS), Newsies, Big Fish, Mary Poppins (Stage Eaters Theatre), and Amadeus, Sherlock Holmes and The Inane Investigations, and The Outsiders (Psychopomp Theatre). He’s honored to join this talented cast / crew and hopes you enjoy the show!
Morris Dixon & Fight Captain – Aaron Smith
Aaron is beyond pleased to perform again on the Walterdale stage, and hopes that all of you enjoy the show as much as he enjoyed rehearsing it! Classically trained in NYC, Aaron has returned to the theatre community after a long hiatus, normally you can see him as the villain, or the comedic relief. Being able to portray Morris has been such a joy, and allowed Aaron to explore new facets of the artistic work. Thank you all for attending!
Hugo Lyppiatt – Colin Stewart
Colin Stewart is ecstatic to be back on the Walterdale stage as Hugo in Present Laughter! A great piece of wisdom he once read is: “Success cannot be pursued; It must ensue”. Do with that what you will. Thanks for coming out and supporting local theatre. Enjoy the show!
Daphne Stillington – Stephanie Swensrude
Stephanie is a theatre artist and journalist. You may have seen her as the unpleasant Mandy in Walterdale’s production of Stag and Doe last season. Her play, Emergency Contact, was workshopped in Walterdale’s From Cradle to Stage and the Alberta Playwright’s Network EdmonTEN festival. Enjoy the show!
Roland Maule – Andréus Wallace
Andréus is a BFA acting Alumni from the University of Alberta. High school was where Andréus was first introduced to theatre and fell in love. Ever since he’s been excited to see where his acting journey takes him next. Select Credits include: Blank and The Laramie Project (University of Alberta).
Production Team Biographies
Sharon Adebisi – Lighting Operator
Sharon is a student at the University of Waterloo majoring in geoscience and collecting rocks like Pokémon. She has the soul of a grandma – she crochets, knits, bakes, and enjoys strong tea with a good book.
John Anderson – Director
John is happy to be back in the theatre, working with his fellow theatre lovers and volunteers. This is his seventh time directing a show. Previous Walterdale directing credits include: The Realistic Joneses and All My Sons. Other directing credits: Pulling Teeth, Dick Piston, The Valiant, and The Boston Dip.
Michael Anderson – Assistant Director
Mike has a BFA in acting from the University of Alberta. He recently starred in The Valiant, which he won an Outstanding Performance award for at the Stage Struck Festival.
Rebecca Cave – Production Manager
Rebecca Cave has been working with Walterdale for nearly eight years. Most recently, she’s staged managed for Stag and Doe and designed the lighting for King of the Yees, and provided support for It’s A Wonderful Life. They hope you enjoy this show.
Afrah Collier-Potts – Master Painter/Poster Design
Afrah has a diverse background in theatre, film and television. From hair, makeup, and wardrobe, to master painter, stage manager, and production manager she loves to do it all. Her most recent credits include, director for From Cradle to Stage at Walterdale Theatre, stage manager for The Boston Dip at Fringe 2025, and head painter for Present Laughter at Walterdale Theatre.
Laurel Bailey Ferchoff-Sander – Set Designer
Laurel Bailey Ferchoff-Sander graduated from the BFA Theatre Design program at the U of A and recently completed her Architectural Technology diploma at NAIT. As Set Designer for Walterdale Theatre’s production of Present Laughter, she is thrilled to be back in theatre and hopes you enjoy the show!
Moemen Gaafar – Assistant Stage Manager
Moemen Gaafar is a writer from Alexandria, Egypt, now based in Edmonton. His debut play Genesis premiered at the 2025 Edmonton Fringe. He’s thrilled to join Walterdale Theatre as Assistant Stage Manager on this production.
Richard Hatfield – Lighting Designer/Technical Advisor
Richard has been performing many roles at Walterdale since 1991. Some of these roles include President, Set Builder, Technical Director, Lighting Designer, and many more. Some of the recent shows Richard has designed are Stag & Doe, The Realistic Joneses and All My Sons.
Kendra Nordstrom – Properties Master
Kendra is excited to have the opportunity to work on Present Laughter. Kendra has a background in photography and makeup but just recently dove into the world of theatre and was part of the set build and paint crew for According to the Chorus and Shakespeare in Love. She is delighted to be getting more involved in theatre as this productions Props Master. Enjoy the show!
Alice Oscar – Sound Operator
Alice is very happy to be a part of the Walterdale community once again. Her past shows include: Altar Boys, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Hamlet, among others. She has worn many theatre hats, such as property master, sound operator, and stage manager. She likes to knit and crochet in her spare time.
Megan Reti – Costume Designer
Megan Reti is excited to be the Costume Designer for this show. She has designed costumes for a number of Walterdale shows, most recently for The Swearing Jar last season.
Andrew Selwood – Master Builder
Andrew has enjoyed being part of many excellent productions at Walterdale, and is very excited to be the lead builder for Present Laughter. We all hope you enjoy the show!
Pat Sirant – Stage Manager
Pat is a University of Alberta alumnus who has been involved in theatre in roles both onstage and backstage for the last 7 years. Some shows they’ve worked on include Feast at the New Works Festival and Edmonton Fringe Festival, The 39 Steps at the Walterdale Theatre, and She Kills Monsters with University of Alberta Studio Theatre.
Anne Marie Szucs – Sound Designer
Anne Marie is a Walterdale director, actor, box office manager, and Board Vice President, and was Artistic Director from 2015-17. Previous Walterdale sound design credits include All My Sons, The Penelopiad, and The 39 Steps. Up next, she will be designing sound for Once. Enjoy the show!
Advertisements / Acknowledgements
Donors and Sponsors (August 2023 – November 2025)
Walterdale Theatre extends thanks to the generous support of local business, government grants, partners, and our patrons and members for their donations of time and funding. Without your support we could not continue.
Public Funders and Partners
Community Facility Enhancement Program—Government of Alberta
Artistic Sponsor
Gorilla Property Services Edmonton
Community Partners
Valtone Cleaners
Champions ($500+)
AbleIT Inc.
Alexander Family in Memory of Shelley Superstein Alexander
Anne Marie Szucs
Dale and Syrell Wilson
Karin Lauderdale
Kristen M. Finlay
Stephen Harper
Harmony Fund at ECF
Supporters ($100-$499)
Joan & Alex Hawkins, Michael Buhr, Mike Harding & Don Zeman, Moira Walker,
Philip & M.J. Kreisel, Richard Hatfield, Sol Sigurdson, Margaret Booker, Julie Sinclair, David Wolkowski, Genevieve Carolan, Vivien Bosley, Mary Purvis, Brenda Bisziel, Anonymous
Friends ($50-$99)
Brent Christopherson, Jean Guertin, Gerry and Barbara Sinn, Sally Hunt, Ruby Swekla
Donors ($49 and under)
Vivian Binnema, Isabel Cave, Andrew Marriott, Roberta Rolf, Trish Mallet, Louise Mallory, Teresa Cartmell
Player’s Endowment Fund ($200 plus)
A Party to Murder – The Cast and Production Team
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play – The Cast and Production Team
King of the Yees – The Cast and Production Team
Stag and Doe – The Cast and Production Team
Shakespeare in Love – The Cast and Production Team
According to the Chorus – The Cast and Production Team
If you would like to be a part of the Walterdale Theatre family of sponsors, contact our Administrator by e-mail or phone the theatre at 780-439-3058.
| WALTERDALE THEATRE ASSOCIATES Is a Canadian Registered Charity, and will provide you with an income tax receipt for any donation over $20.00 you wish to make.Thank you to everyone who supports our theatre! |
A Brief History of Walterdale Theatre and Building
Walterdale is one of the longest running community theatres in Canada.
Walterdale Theatre Associates traces its beginnings to Theatre Associates, who produced their first plays (Lady Audley’s Secret and Out of the Frying Pan) in August 1958, playing in the Jubilee Auditorium social room. Before finding its home in the current Fire Hall, there have been two other Walterdale Theatres. The first was an old school on the Walterdale flats (Kinsmen Fieldhouse area), hence our name. The second was a former service men’s club house, which was later demolished for Kingsway Garden Mall.
Our current building was built in 1910 and was Strathcona Fire Hall #1. In 1912 it was re-numbered Edmonton #6 when the City of Strathcona amalgamated with the City of Edmonton. The bell tower houses the Strathcona “Town Bell”. It is topped by an octagonal belfry, covered by an octagonal roof. The tower was used to dry hoses (by hanging them up) after use. The stable (now set-building workshop) was designed to house nine horses.
The building ceased to be a working Fire Hall in 1954 and was used to store furniture. In 1974 Walterdale Theatre Associates took over the building and lovingly restored it, and converted the inside to a 145-seat theatre. The first play produced in this theatre was What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton, which opened November 12, 1974.
Major renovations were again carried out in 1993 (raising the roof and tying the building together with new beams) and in 2011 (new main floor washrooms, renewing the bricks and other major outside work).
Walterdale continues to keep our building updated and efficient, and has replaced the lighting instruments with LED lights, and the the aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems throughout the building with modern efficient HVAC systems.
Walterdale Theatre Board of Directors 2025 – 2026
Executive
Artistic Director – Barbara Mah
President – Richard Hatfield
Vice-President – Anne Marie Szucs
Treasurer – Martin Stout
Secretary – Kristen M. Finlay
Past-President – Sally Hunt
Directors
Building Co-Directors – Doug Verdin and dale Wilson
Front-of-House Director – Rachel Whipple & Vacant
Membership Co-Directors – Laura Eschak & Christine Gold
Production Co-Directors – John Anderson & Afrah Collier-Potts
Public Relations Co-Directors – Stephanie Swensrude & Dalton Bryce Terhorst
Technical Co-Directors – Rebecca Cave & Matthew Baker
Directors at Large – Tracy Wyman & Jennifer Robinson
Front of House Volunteers
Front of House Committee Members
Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel Whipple
Box Office Manager
Anne Marie Szucs
Bar & Concession Manager
Cassandra Duval
A special and heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful volunteers for Front of House positions during the run of Shakespeare in Love.
ALICE OSCAR, AMY JEAN, ANDREA NEWMAN, ANDREW KWAN, ANNELIESE COUTU,
BOB KLAKOWICH, BRIAN AULT, CASEY POWLIK, CHRISTINE GOLD, CINNAMON STACEY, DALTON BRYCE TERHORST, DAVE WOLKOWSKI, DAVID SELWOOD, DORAN WERNER, DOUG VERDIN, GLORIA CARR, HARMEN DE VRIES, HEIDI RYLL, JACKIE LOTERY,
JIHANE ZEIDAN, JOHN DOLPHIN, KARLY BROADSTOCK, KEVIN SCHULTZ, KRISTEN FINLAY,
LAURA DEDORIW, LAUREN GAGNON, LLOYD BRUCE BROWN, LOUISE MALLORY,
NICOLLE LEMAY, NISHA SHARMA, PHIL ZYP, SARAH CHAMP, SHABAB KHAN,
SHAUNA REBUS
