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Follies get knickers in knot again

For a brief period this Sunday evening the cast of Gold Fever Follies will undress the proper garments of A Job Well Done.
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It's a bloomin' good time.

For a brief period this Sunday evening the cast of Gold Fever Follies will undress the proper garments of A Job Well Done and get their knickers in a naughty knot.

It's a Follies tradition, a lighter take on the musical that has run since beginning of July at the Miner's Union Hall, and a chance for a talented cast to kick up its heels in what is considered a highlight on the Rossland social scene.

Whether it's the cash bar that attracts people, said music director and stage manager John Han, or the chance to see the Follies show turned upside down in a naughty way, the production is a perennial sell out.

“It is a certainty that Naughty Knickers is not one to be missed,” he said about the two hour, two act cabaret put on solely by the actors.

The first act includes some saucy and sassy and kind of naughty numbers, Han explained, while others are just talent based. He hinted the first act could contain burlesque numbers, tap-dancing, dark comedy, racy songs and cross dressing.

There is also a rumour the Spice Girls could make an appearance.

The second half of the evening is a spoof of the main show. This is a public version of prank night, the day that never happens in theatre. It's the day the cast and crew decide to agree to discreetly mess with each other and see who can keep a straight face and keep the show going without anyone in the audience being the wiser.

For the third year in a row, the Follies cast will draw each other's names out of a hat, and play the character of the person they draw.

That means men could play women and vice versa, said Han. The love interests may find they have to play siblings, he added, while actors who were previously at odds may find they are love interests.

The improv part comes in when the people who played the original characters won't be playing the original characters and will have to “make up” their lines.

“The combinations are endless,” Han said. “We don't know how that one will work out.”

This show is not for children.

The show opens on Sunday for one night only. Tickets are $10 in advance, and are available at the Miners' Union Hall or at Café Books West. Tickets must be purchased in advance, or call 250-231-6155 to purchase tickets.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 7 p.m. Cash bar and snack items.

editor@rosslandnews.com

 

The Follies themselves continue ...

Shows at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

until Aug. 24

Tickets are available at the door.

General admission: $13

Child under five: free

Child 12 and under: $8

Senior (65+): $10

 

Naughty history

The idea to start advertising the pranks instead of hiding them began in 2009 with Follies cast members Paige Culley and Riley Sims.

The concept would be to take the idea of altering the show to the next level and prank the audience as well as the actors.

That year, the Follies launched the Very Saucy Sunday Show. For one night only out of the entire Follies season audiences saw the show the way they'd never saw it before, and not in any way shape or form suitable for the whole family.

Five Follies seasons later, and now under the name Naughty Knickers, cast members are still keeping the tradition alive and well this Sunday.

Source: Ben McFee