"RE the only group of this type that has been here every single year since the theatre opened in 1967,” says Marion Merrick proudly. curtain call sitting in ! Theatre thirty minutes before North Shore Light Opera S . (NSLOS) preview perfor- mance of The Goudoliers. NSLOS is celebrating its 50th season this year and has once again plumped for the patter and comedy of Gilbert and Sullivan. Le Cantore d’Opera was formed in 1948 with the help and enthusiasm of letter carri- er Jack Harris and Duncan McLean. The club continues to honor their memory by presenting an annual scholar- ship in their name. But according to NSLOS president Roger Nelson, the focus of the group chang 195] to light opera and name was also changed to reflect that. he group does not have a permanent home. It stores its costumes at the Capilano United Church, its scenery behind the ice rink and rehearses at the North Lonsdale United Church. But family ties in the club seem to have been strong enough to see the club through all manner of difficul- ties. Stage Manager Mike Millard says three generations of his extended family were involved in the 1995 produc- tion of Brigadoon. “My father-in-law did props and my wife, sister, rother-in-law-to-be and daughter were all on stage.” Merrick also looks forward to the time when she can take her grandson on stage with her. This year is the first in 15 that her daughter and son-in-law are not playing in the orchestra. “They had my grandson nine months ago and their only baby sit- ter is me — and I’m not available,” she laughs. Knowing how pre-show nerves often need space and solitude I keep encouraging her to head backstage and get ready for her 26th NSLOS show. But whether it’s all that expe- rience or not, Merrick is quite happy to sit and reminisce about her love of opera. She may be the oldest member of the company bur she has no interest in finding out and refuses to give her age for fear of astonishing some peo- le. P “The love of music draws me but also you meet wonderful people. Every year you make new friends. | NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge ADAM Kozak and his three fellow leads provide a strong dramatic and musical core to North Shore Light Opera's production of The Gondoliers at Centennial Theatre. could give up a lot of other things but I wouldn’t want to give up being part of the opera. “Some years we choose operettas like this one by Gilbert and Sullivan. They're very light, very liveiy and not too long. Other = years we choose really old) Evropean Operettas Die Fledermaus or The Merry Widow.” Merrick knows full well that roy- alty payments are an issue for a non- profit society that has to break even every year. qaileries<::. Wednesday, March 12, 1997 — North Shore News ~ 19 Photo subminted FIFTY years ago North Shore Light Opera Society was Le Cantore d’Opera and presented its first con- cert in a theatre at 14th Street and Lonsdale Avenue. “Most of the work comes from the pi ple in the cast itself. We do our own pub- licity, we make most of our own costumes so when we don’t have to pay royalties it makes a big differ- ence in terms of the money that can be plowed back into the society,” savs Merrick. Singing in 26 productions means Merrick has sewn a lot of costumes in her time. But she parlayed that experience into 17-year involvement with the Vancouver Opera as a vol- unteer in the wardrobe department and several seasons with what was then Theatre in the Park. She has a couple of “theatre sto- ries” to tell —- like the time she was making an entrance just as a nceklace she was wearing gave way and all the resented by the North neouver Community Arts iness hours. r District beads rolled one by one into the orchestra pit — but is hard pressed to come up with a “best” memory. “Just to be part of the scene. We've done shows that have drawn people with fabulous voices to play the leads and sometimes when you hear certain songs sung well that you know from a long way back — beau- dful, romantic songs — then I've stood there and got shivers.” NSLOS is always looking for men who can sing. Nelson responded to just such an ad in the News six years ago. But fellow executive member Nancy Vondette can go one better. She joined as a tenor because the 1985 production of The Desert Song was, yet again, short of men. Vondette was cast as a cunuch! Ifyou like to sing and enjoy good fellowship, NSLOS is planning to be around for another 50 years. hours: Tues. to Sun., 12-4 p.m. Info: 924-1378. Silk Purse Arts Centre: Capilano College students in second year illustration and graphic design, March U1 to 23. Presented by the West Vancouver Community Arts Council. Tues. to Fri, 1 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat, and Sun. noon to 5 p.m. West Vancouver Memorial Library Gallery: fmages and Intimations. Fine art photography by Earl and Hizabeth Wink Info: Hall: A Prayer for the Species. Valerie Metz's — colorful monoprints. Sponsored by the North Vancouver Community Arts Council to March 27. Business hours. North Vancouver Museum and Archives: Manes. Historic photographs look at the roll Rumes played in the transportation of shingle bolts to the mulls of Burrard Yo April b. into: 987- Centennial Theatre: Art by Douglas Rae and Jerenry Walters can be viewed noon to 4 p.m., Mon, = Fri. Dundarave Cafe: The Spirit of Florals. Watercolor and acrylic paintings by W.V. artist. Caroline Sutherland. To March 19. Ferry Building Gallery: Under the lafluence of Light, photographie exhibition by News photographer Cindy Goodman. To rch 23. Artist's dialogue March 18 at 7 pan. Hours: PE acm. to 5 p.m, closed Mondays. West and $i yer Museum : West Collects! includes Coast ts, West st 15 Street, #33: Exhibition of Persian arts, Uaacenver muse and: antiques. March Exhibition Into: 925-7290. 15. 4 pant. to S p.m. spon- alish ta Leo Marshall Curriculum) sored) by the Society of Vancouver Girl Guides’ . Centre, Artists for Kids Persian Literature and) mementos, and a scetion on Reemmeems =| Gallery: Bugs, Birds and Artistry in Vancouver. Smadern” office technology NEWS photo Mike Woketieid «= Beasts, Jack Shadbolt's first Seymour = Art G: (turn oof the century to young people's exhibition. — Discarery ‘The World War 21). Museum Weekends, noon to 4 p.m. Side. Annual juried info: 925-7295, ARTIST Kurt Connell, seers here with one his acrylic paintings, is one of a num- ‘Fo April 26. 987-6667. tion featuring the works of | West Vancouver City ber of North Shore artists showing works in the Seymour Art Gallery's annual juried exhibition. This year’s show theme is The Darker Side, and includes works from 40 Lower Mainland artists. Runs till Sunday, April 6. info: 924-1378. Rec North Vancouver 40 artists from the greater Halk: Kenneth Patrick Ruther Vancouver area. Gallery See more page 20