NEWS photo Stuart Davis

By STEPHEN BARRING

News Reporter

“I always wanted to go into
theatre, but I didn’t think it was
possible,” the 40-year-old West
Vanceuver actress says. ‘‘I didn’t
think I could get a job.”

But get a job she did, and 15
years later Astley has collected a
healthy list of acting and directing
credits in an'impressive number of
local productions.

Until June 27, Astley will be ac-
ting in the Arts- Club production
The Melville Boys, where she plays
one of four characters who all
spend a weekend ‘ogether.

“They all come out: for the bet-
ter; they go through a lot ‘on the
weekend.”

As a director, she lead the popu-

“director, in: Astley::ad-
mits she’ Would ‘do it again“as ‘I’m
not that burned:!!"""

But despite the enthusiasm, ‘‘We
were all glad we did theatre in
Canada.”’

In 1971, the former West Van
High student joined a group of
UBC students- that was in the
throes of forming the soon-to-be-
successful Tamahnous Theatre.

With Tamahnous for 11 years,
Astley directed the group’s Last
Call, a cabaret musical production
that toured to Toronto and became
‘quite successful.’’ ‘

“Working mainly on new plays,

her credits include the'1984 Top
Girls and work on the Arts Club
production of Shakespeare’s com-

Nee

for a living

orking in theatre for 15

“years. (But) I think that it’s getting

harder now. :

“We're losing an awful lot of
actors to Toronto because there’s
no work.” ‘

With the recent closure of the
City Stage, local actors and ac-
tresses now have even fewer places
to work, many opting to look for
green pastures in the East.

“I won’t go to Toronto unless

it’s absolutely necessary,’’ explains
Astley. . .
* But until June 27 at least, Astley
will be here performing in The
Melville Boys. .

Showtimes are daily except Sun-

day with a two-for-one matinee
“Wednesdays. For further show or

ticket information call the Arts

NORTH SHORE actress Susan Astley hus been working at her craft for
the past 15 years. In that time she has seen a lot of changes in the Van-
couver theatre scetie. Here, Astley in her role of Mary plays with actor
Kevin McNulty in Zhe Melville Boys. The show runs at the Arts Club
Granville Island through June. |

lar Sex Tips for Modern Girls on — edy classic Twelfth Night. Club box office at 687-1644.

‘An Exotic Sefari into the
Heart of Fine East African Indian Cuisine

_ Learn
about
nature

DEER IN the backyard and rac- | Canada’s Finest
coons in the garbage cans: living : : : ‘ ’

-close to nature is a familiar feeling : Prime Rib” i

: for many North Shore residents. Po
_. A wide variety of birds and DPR
“small mamma's are commonly . Fantastic view of . y ‘
“seen, an ears, cougars an ‘Vancouver Harbour: 7 y J
coyotes are sometimes spotted. COE Nears ‘ f

if + WZ

“ However, the inroads of civiliza- ’" “North Shore'Mins, - RS) )

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
1344 Lonsdale Ave., NV.

“Home of

tion are driving back the frontiers
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Already many species have been peep eg TT es
lost from the Lower Mainland * Chicken : * Seafood
because of the destruction or © Steaks - Ribs
pollution of their natural habitat. orp enee Bs
_ Kevin Bell, naturalist and man- —_ ;
ager of the Lynn Canyon Ecology a ant
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-effects of urbanization on tES) .
sala, and will present some of 689-8888
“his findings in a slide show and ears
talk at the Lynn Valley branch of :
‘the North Vancouver District
Library on Tuesday, June 2. ;
Bell will discuss which species
have been lost and which have
survived, and will show how many
birds and animals were native to
“the area before the spread of the
oT he program, which is suitable
efor all members of the family,
begins at 7 p.m. There is no charge
= but the library suggests coming
=~ early as seating is limited. |
For further information or
directions call 984-0286.

cat Granville ‘Square

} : i
b 200 Granville St:
¥ Vancouver, B.C.