ees REWS photo Mi WEST VANCOUVER actress Betty Phillips has been a regular of Van- couver’s theatre scene for more than 30 years. Today, Phillips returns to the stage as Berta the maid in Hedda Gabler. WV actress is no second fiddle as Hedda’s maid ITH WORKS such as A Dolli’s House and Hedda Waite Henrik Ibsen furthered the cause of equal rights for women long before the modern feminist movement took root. For Betty Phillips, her debt to the Norwegian playwright is more tangible. In 1959, Ibsen's play Little Eyolf brought actor-writer and co-star Peter Haworth into her life. “We met at Freddy Wood Theatre,” said Phillips, who mar- tied Haworth three years later. “He played Allmers, and I, Rita. | call our first meeting a fatal en- counter,” she jokes. Today, thirty years tater, the EVELYN JACOB spotlight feature striking white-haired West Van- couver actress finds herself in another Ibsen production — this time as Berta in the Vancouver Playhouse’s Hedda Gabler. Playing the part of a sullen maid is a far cry from her first tbsen role as Rita, the passionate, domineer- ing leading lady, but Phillips re- mains the versatile actor — putting ‘all the creativity she can muster into each and every role. In the 40 years that she has trod the boards, Phillips has racked up numerous leading roles — as Mrs. Anna in The King and 1; Lilli Vanessa in Kiss Me Kate; Fiona in Brigadoon; and Mrs. Eynsford-Hill in Pygmalion. For twa years Phillips was prin- ciple singer on CBC T.V.’s Folksong series Lolly-toa-dum and more recently she has appeared in episodes of MacGyver, 21 Jump- street and Beans Baxter. It becomes evident after talking to Phillips that she was cut out for a career in acting right from the beginning —- ever since she saw a local production of Sinbad the Sailor at age four. “After seeing the pantomime | remember saying to myself, ‘that is what | want to do.’" In high school she joined the musical society and later enrolled in all the proper theatre prere- quisites: private piano, singing, dancing, and French lessons. During the ‘40s and ’50s she worked extensively with Theatre Under the Stars, then Vancouver's only established professional theatre company, acting in 24 lead roles in 16 years. During those years and even to- day, finding work has never been a problem — ‘‘acting has always been my livelihood,” she says confidently — an impressive claim in a profession suffering a stagger- ing rate of unemployment. One reason for Phillips’ busy schedule is that she never discloses her age to avoid being See Phillips Page 30 23 - Wednesday, November {, 1989 - North Shore News Rent works of art Wednesday DON’T MISS ou! on the new selection of art work by well-known Lower Mainland artists at North Van- couver Community Arts Council's Nov. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. The popular rental program runs on the second Wednesday of each month in Presentation House Picture Rental on Gallery. An earlier News story gave an incorrect date for the twice-monthly event. Special Event! SATURDAY NOV. 4 “Face of the Year’ MODEL SEARCH Ever dreamed of becoming a professional model? This may be your chance! As part of a province-wide face of the year search, Charles Stuart Model- ing Agency will be cond ucting a local rnodel search at Capilano Mall this Saturday for young ladies 14-24. BRING A PHOTO (school photo, family snapshot, polaroid, etc.) to Capilano Mall and register between 10:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. At 2 p.m. finalists will be selected and will have a personal evaluation by Charles Stuart. From these finalists a local winner will be announced. Local winner is entered in the Provincial Competition in which the pro- vincial winner will receive: e Trip to italy © Model training course in Vancouver © Free travel & accommodation 935 Marine Dr., North Van. 980-8561 Join us at the Keg North Sh before 6 pm on any day of CHOOSE FROM Teriyaki Steak - 7 oz. Mesquite Broiled Sirloin - Chicken Sizzle (incl. Sourdough Bread, Baked Potato Steaming Garden Fresh Vegetables.) 134 W. ESPLANADE, N. VA Se ‘A FREE TRIP THROUGH STHE KEG‘S Is yours when you present this coupon and purchase an Early Reward Dinner (Only at Keg "North Shore / Offer good till Dec. 15/89). | serve you up any of the following Keg favorites ‘THE KEG NORTH SHORE . e Free photo session with three top fashion photographers © World-wide exposure by Charles Stuart e Free portfolio case OPEN: MON.-WED, 9:30-5:30 P.M. THURS.-FRI. 9:30-9:00 F.M. SAT, 9:30-5:30 P.M. SUN. NOON-S P.M. ore the week and we'll 95 for just (Your choice Beef Bones Before 6 pm) 70z. Blackened Snapper Teriyaki Chicken or Rice Pilaf, N. teenanon 988-7158 SALAD BAR i>”