Iroquois-Matilda Lions set to stage new play

  It’s a play year.

When people in South Dundas hear that, they realize it can only mean one thing: the Iroquois-Matilda Lions are staging a new play at Upper Canada Playhouse the spring of 2016.

The ‘daring thespians’ of the club will be presenting the hilarious, and comically spine-tingling show, The Count Will Rise Again (or Dracula in Dixie), for four shows only, April 21-23, 2016. Tickets will be available, later in the new year.

There is a cast of 10 in the Dennis Snee comedy. 

However, this play, like all Lions’ projects, is very much a full club effort. 

As well as providing the cast,  the 32 club members, under president Brian Speer, will take on the jobs of building, painting and dressing sets. They will be working on costumes and make-up, handling tickets, front of house, publicity and any of the many tasks involved in bringing the South Dundas community a great production. 

Once again, Donnie Bowes and the staff of Upper Canada Playhouse, have generously (and bravely) offered the incredible facilities and resources of the theatre to the Lions. The Playhouse’s technical director will be on board to light the show.

Producer of The Count Will Rise Again, Lion Barry Fawcett (who is noted for the sometimes ‘unusual’ character roles he takes on) points out that this will be the club’s 18th production.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions first took to the stage with an initial production at Seaway District High School, of The Haunted House. Since then, for well over two decades, the club has produced a new show every other year. In 2014, Bottoms Up! drew rave reviews.

The use of the 275 seat  modern Playhouse has added immeasurably to the appeal of the Lions shows. The advice and support of Bowes and his staff is always deeply appreciated.

The funds raised by The Count Will Rise Again, will be put directly back into the community by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions.

The Lions “donate to many charities,” said Fawcett. “They also help individuals in need of assistance.” 

Along with other Lions initiatives, the semi annual play has become a major fund raiser for the club. 

“In the past, the money from the plays has gone to many causes including the Hospice, the Dundas Food Bank, Mental Health, Winchester District Memorial Hospital and CHEO. The club has recently made a commitment to the Iroquois Waterfront Development Project to help with the construction of two picnic shelters at the beach area,” said Lion Barry.

Fawcett also said that at this point, no specific charities have yet been chosen for funds from The Count. Club members will determine which particular causes to support later in the year.

As in other years, this 2016 production will be directed by Wendy Gibb.

Auditions for the colourful, and outrageous comic characters in this hilarious production, will soon take place. 

The final cast for The Count Will Rise Again (or Dracula in Dixie) will be announced in the new year.

Mark your 2016 calendars for April 21-23, when the Iroquois-Matilda Lions take to the stage with a brand new show.