The laughs were coming all night long during the Buchanan Black Box Players (BBBP) dinner theatre stage production of Father Ted, held at the Buchanan Community Centre on April 11 to 13.
Based on the British comedy series of the same name, Father Ted was written by Buchanan’s and BBBP’s own Betty Tomilin, with permission from Hat Trick Productions in London, England. Tomilin and Lorna Ratushniak were the directors.
The synopsis explains some of the appeal of Father Ted.
“The play follows the antics and escapades of Father Ted Crilly (Cal Tomilin), Father Dougal McGuire (Steven Wyonzek) and Father Jack Hackett (Bob Edwards), along with their long suffering but cheerful housekeeper, Mrs. Doyle (Pat Leung.)
Early on, the audience learned that the three priests had been exiled to Craggy Island, a remote location off Ireland's west coast, for various past incidents and misdeeds.
Mrs. Doyle cheerfully went about her duties as housekeeper, including always offering everyone tea, no matter how vigorously they declined.
The Craggy Island parish was visited by four monks (Jacob Danyluk, Steve Merriam, Malcolm Broughton and Nick Woloschuk) who “should be quiet,” according to Father Ted. But the monks were only too willing to comment that “this is such a cheerless, depressing place. How do you cope with the desperate sense of hopelessness?”
While listening to a local radio show, the priests heard about an air band competition coming up to raise money for a worthy cause. The announcement came from radio personality Donny Desmond (Darryl Goosen), a “no-talent hack” according to Father Ted.
The audience then met Father Dick Byrne (Andrew Hoffman), Father Patrick (Brody Harrison), Father Jasper (Jacob Danyluk) and Mrs. Finnegan (Val Edwards), their housekeeper. This trio of priests had been exiled to nearby Rugged Island, and were essentially a mirror image of the members of the Craggy Island parish.
Father Patrick and Father Jasper had some time on their hands and expressed a desire to be exotic dancers, dancing in “steamy, exotic places,” until Father Dick explained what is really involved in exotic dancing.
Of course, Father Ted and Father Dick were bitter rivals, and constantly tried to best each other in any situation.
They agreed on a wager for the upcoming air band competition. The one who raised the least amount of money would have to give the much despised Bishop Leonard Brennan (Steve Merriam) a “good kick up the arse.”
Shortly thereafter, a group of nuns, led by Mother Superior (Betty Tomilin) visited the priests on Craggy Island because “we heard there’s been a serious lapse in spiritual judgement.”
Mother Superior sat down with Father Ted for what she hoped would be a serious spiritual discussion. But Father Ted had seduction on his mind, to the absolute horror of Mother Superior. He claimed that the “little blue pills” he received from Father Dick were to blame, and that “there’s no way I’d ever be attracted to you.” This of course, was not something Mother Superior enjoyed hearing.
Father Ted was finally able to shift his attention to fundraising efforts for the big air band competition. But he discovered that Father McGuire had actually made a donation to his bitter rival, Father Dick, and this contributed to losing the bet.
Father Ted knew what he must do, and arranged a face to face meeting with Bishop Brennan. When he told the Bishop that a vision of his face has been seen in the baseboard heater behind the couch, the Bishop eagerly bent over to take a look. Father Ted quickly took aim and enthusiastically kicked the Bishop “up the arse” to satisfy the conditions of the bet.
No doubt due to some of his questionable previous financial dealings, Father Ted received an uncomfortable visit from a gang of bikers: Black Mambo (Malcolm Broughton), Pansy (Tammy Senholt), Petunia (Joanne Sadler), Sweet Pea (Erica Leung) and Large Marge (Sharon Murray.)
Father Jack had a fondness for the bottle, and prepared for the big air band completion by rockin’ out to Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf with a bottle as his mic. Unfortunately for him, Bishop Brennan walked in just in time for the line, “Stop right there” and looked very displeased.
The air band competition arrived, and the competition continued between Father Ted and Father Dick. The crew from Rugged Island performed an energetic version of YMCA dressed as the Village People.
But Father Ted, Father McGuire, Father Hackett and Mrs. Leung outdid them. Dressed as the members of KISS, makeup included, they did a blistering version of Rock and Roll All Nite. To no one’s surprise, Donny Desmond, master of ceremonies, declared them the winners.
Rehearsals for Father Ted began in mid January, said Ratushniak.
Including lighting, sound, sets, bartenders and greeters, approximately 50 volunteers were involved in the production.
In the message from the directors, Ratushniak and Tomilin stated “It has been our pleasure working with the BBBP; both the cast members and those who worked behind the scenes.”
