Northern Lights takes best play at Provincial Drama Festival

The Northern Lights Theatre Company has proved it is one of the best drama troupes in the province.

Peter McCormack, founder of the troupe, said six groups from various communities in Newfoundland and Labrador - including the Carol Players - participated in the 60th annual Provincial Drama Festival from April 5-10 in Corner Brook.

"It was a really strong week of theatre," he stated. "It worked out that there were three dramas and three comedies. It was a nice mix."

The Northern Lights Theatre Company was the last to take the stage with its play "Wit" - a drama starring Wendy Chambers in the role of Vivian Bearing, a university professor diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer; McCormack said the two-hour play followed her from her diagnosis to her death.

He explained 15 cast and crew helped make the show a success and as director of the play, he was proud of the group's showing.

"We won best presentation of a full-length play. Everything just came together on the final night," he said. "We have a really tight-knit group and everybody in this play did their job. It made it so much easier."

McCormack said the theatre group was confident in its play - Wit got rave reviews in the two productions held at local Arts and Culture Centre in March - and he's happy the group's work was recognized on a provincial level as well.

"This is only our third season and our second year in the (NL Drama) Society," he explained. "We competed last year and we competed this year and won again, so we're two for two. When the adjudicator judges that your play is the best play overall, it's certainly a huge feeling of pride."

McCormack said the cast and crew was elated to be declared the overall winner at the end of the six-day event, especially the six members of the group that had never been to the festival before.

The director said he loved working with the group on Wit and he is already looking forward to next year's festival.