spotlight Fis North Van residents take care of business and open shows at the Fringe THE SCENERIO is real-life — a single mother working to make a comfortable life for herself and put her daughter through school. The play is Taking Care of Business. — From the talents of four North Vancouverites — producer Heather Rimmer, writer Peter Raabe, director Rita Weakes and actor Barry Duffus — comes this play about human needs, a play exploring love, sex and family relationships. An earlier interview with an American housewife-prostitute gave former broadcaster and playwright Raabe, 38, the building blocks for the script, which was later shaped into Taking Care of Business for the Vancouver Fringe Festival Sept. 9 to 18. Described as a story about social, physical, emotional and sexual needs, the play involves a once-aspiring singer who wants to follow her mother in the world’s oldest profession. Each has a different concept of prostitution, and through true-to- life scripting, deep-rooted feelings — as well as a family secret — are revealed. Originally written as a comedy NEWS photo Neil Lucente NORTH VANCOUVER'S Tryst Theatre Company members (left to right) Rita Weakes, Barry Duffus and Peter Raabe...a gritty drama about needs. — ‘‘that really stunk,’’ says Raabe — the play was reworked into a gritty drama packed with emotion and power. STEPHEN BARRINGTON feature writer “*There’s humanity in it,’’ says Raabe, whose earlier credits in- clude a best-actor award in the 1986 Theatre B.C, Festival. ‘We feel these are real people...with feelings we can all relate to.”’ Directing the action is award- winning Weakes, 56, for whom Taking Care of Business marks a first venture into the Fringe Festi- val. No stranger to theatre festivals, Weakes has to her credit numerous acting and directing awards, in- cluding one at the 1988 festival for the local production Sunday Mor- ning. “It’s been interesting dealing with sex and prostitution in a pro- duction,” says Weakes, ‘‘It’s fascinating. It’s just one more fac- et of life that goes on out there ~ you doi’t have to like it, but it’s here to stay.”’ Completing the cast are Hodiah Wagner and award-winning Kareen Zebroff, best known for her network television program Kareen’s Yoga. Joining Taking Care of Business at the Fringe Festival are local productions Deep Cove Stage’s Plantation de Sade or How to Poison Ivy and Nicola Cavendish’s Nicodemus and King David Play Main. “It’s basically the land of real,”’ Cavendish, 35, says of the Fringe production in which she is joined by David King. ‘‘It’s not me play- ing a character, it’s me playing me.”’ Prompted by the recent death of longtime pet dog Dogface, Caven- dish’s portion of the show (ells (he story of her first weekend without her animal companion. “One day I just sat down at my picnic table and wrote for about five hours. It was really helpful to me to be able to tell my story.” For mature audiences, Taking Care of Business plays at Van- couver Little Theatre at 3102 Main St. in Vancouver Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., Sept. 15 at 9 p.m., Sept. 17 at noon and Sept. 18 also at noon. Closer to home, the play joins two Alan Ayckbourn comedies for an evening of dinner theatre at Scandals Restaurant in North Vancouver Sept. 9 and 10, with other shows expected to be added the following weekend. For information on the other Fr- inge Festival productions call 873-3646. For dinner theatre details call Scandals at 987-7222 or 988-2040. WE CUT, SLICE, SHRED, STIR, GRIND, SEASON, MIX, KNEAD, SPREAD, LAYER, TOP AND WRAP. 1256 Lynn Valley Ra. (next to the Dairy Queen) 21 - Friday, August 19, 1988 - North Shore News NEWS pholo Mike Wakofieid NORTH VANCOUVER’S Nicola Cavendish and Dogface...the recent death of her dog forms the basis of ber Vancouver Fringe Festival offer- ing. <& THE COACH HOUSE INN presents the 1988 NORTH AMERICAN BELLYFLOP CHAMPIONSHIPS Featuring the return of 1987 Champion Dale “the incredible bulk’ Henderson at 700 I{bs.! DOORS OPEN AT 12 NOON! for Information Two welght call | classes under Steve Webster & ever 250 Ibs. 985-3111 What’s New on Robson? Our Chef always gets Fresh Only the very freshest seafood, poultry and meat go into our chef-created specialties with a french accent. Enjoy relaxed dining in the casual elegance of Everyday for lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. For reservations call 688-8850 Look for the opening of our new Lounge 1348 ROBSON STREET