Evil at Earl’s to By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer THE 12th annual Fringe or, as they are calling it these days Vancouver’s Theatre Festival, is almost upon us. So, standby to be deluged with witty titles, nude public- ity shots and the constant _ promise of “must-see” the- atre, The good news is that there is always gold to be found amongst the dross and the fun is in the search. There are probably a dozen or so plays with North Shore connections but here’s a quick preview of two we know nothing about other than what their publicists told us. For the real low-down hang out on the Drive (Commercial, that .is) com- mencing Sep. 5 and talk to. the people in the line-ups. Deep Cove's multi-award winning director and designer Pam Johnson directs ‘The Turkey Basting Method by Theresa O'Leary. Johnson deseribes her fourth Fringe show (World's Greatest Guy and Denis Anyone? were standouts) as 4 madcap comedy about a woman on the other side of 35 who hears her biological clock ticking like Big Ben THIS is an ex-parroti ft has ceased to be! The Earl’s ‘restaurant em- blom harsh treat- ment from North Shore playwright Brooke Burgess. - Ferocious Fish _ Spawn success ra From page 13 : to write at least five minutes of -; music a day. , ‘*You. have to. thrive on “deadlines,” she said. “Or at’ - feast tolerate it.” First, the team (Guttridge ~ -and Bennett).meets with the ‘producer and director and ‘look ‘at. the: rough cut of the film... They discuss ' musical ., “style and approach, and decide what resources the budget will . © allow for — from a synthesizer” “toa full-scale orchestra. "22 Then - they ‘set. to’ work. - “According .to Guttridge, he. . , and Bennett have their share of “healthy discussions,” but he thinks they give each other -'@ In 1993" _" (Berocious Fish) were nominated for -a Grammy for work. they did on a music video for the band Gwar. ” balance. Bennett’s — back- ground is as a drummer and percussionist while Guttridge plays keyboard, and had previ- ous, experience « arranging music. : “It’s a great combination that way.” : He said the hardest thing about composing for films is doing what’s best for the film., _*You have to love films ‘more than music.” / _ The company: has survived its formative years by being flexible: they’ve done music for commercials and half-hour television programs, as well as designed sound for museums and amusement rides. In 1993 they were nomi- . nated for a Grammy for work they did on’a music video for the band Gwar. The category was filled out with videos by Michael: Jackson, °© Annie Lennox, and MC Hammer. The video by Lennox won. - But last year Ferocious Fish did ‘win in the category for Best Musical. Score at the Vancouver Film Festival for the children’s film Gace In a ~ Blue Moon, Guttridge said the music was “very different” from the work they did for Mortal Challenge, but that’s * fine with him.. It’s what he likes about his chosen career: “There are so many differ- ent kinds of music. It’s great when yor can say ‘Here’s a new challenge, here’s a new sound,”.” It’s’) a good time for Ferocious Fish to be hitting its stride. Guttridge said they can _ sce the top of Vancouver now, and there’s a lot of competi- ~ tion cur there. Because of Vancouver’s reputation as “Hollywood North” other Canadian teams moved west. But although film production has increased, _ the increase in music produc- tion didn’t follow. Most pro- ducers go back to Los Angeles for editing, sound and music and other final stages of pro- duction. “The only way we can sur- vive in Vancouver is if we can persuade the industry to do more than come, shoot, and then go away.” Guttridge also predicts fur- ther success for them if they can set up an office in L.A., an addition they hope to start plamiing for in September, In the meantime, Guttridge and Bennett talk about turn- ing their history into a movie. As well as a typically uncer- tain start in the film industry, they've got more tales of . action and adventure on the high seas aboard the Love Boat. But that’s another story. Since the publicity kit they sent us actually included a (small) turkey baster I'm guessing that this Mary (Can an immaculate conception be far away?) is as single as the author, “Um single, no spring chicken myself and would love to have a baby,” says O'Leary, who is a CBC Radio national reporter. unfold at Fri Meanwhile, over where they cook the turkeys with peppy little salsas there's evil afoot, Evil at Earl’s marks local actor Brooke Burgess’ move to playwriting. Burgess describes his play, which was some six months in the making, as “a darkly comic look at the way people behave with each other ina fewar ep on winning... situation of crisis.” Apparently the good talks at Earl's are not) enthused about being connected with crises; karmic, psychic or oth- erwise. They refused Burgess permission to use the Earl's menu in the play's advertis- ing. Nevertheless, — Burgess can’t wait for his first Fringe to start. . inge Festival “Tve gor the best venue, great times, good people and a killer script,” he says mod- estly. Both plays open Sep. 5: ‘The Turkey Basting Method at the Green Thumb Studio and Evil at Earl’s ac The Firehall Arts Centre. Check the Fringe guide, available at Starbucks, for further information, (| iN ATH ANNUAL LIONS GATE HOSPITAL When you collect $50 or more in pledges you will receive a limited edition Relay Reward that keeps on winning! Relay great prizes from portable sound systems to mountain bikes make gathering suppost Hospital more fun than ever. for Lions Gate . SEPTEMBER 22ND - AMBLESIDE PARK Call For More Information: AIR CANADA @ & CANACCORD aa] Bank of Montreal.