Arviat (Apr 13/05) - The Qitiqliq Music and Drama Club's production of An Easter Story had its last hurrah in Arviat this past month.

The play, co-written by Qitiqliq High drama teacher Gord Billard and principal Fred Durant, has been performed three times by the club during the past four years.

Billard said fewer students came out for the 2005 production, a fact he attributes to their familiarity with the story.

"I've been able to do similar projects on an annual basis in Newfoundland, but, of course, we had a large group of new students coming in every year who had never seen the play before," said Billard.

"It was all brand new to them, but, in our case, we're drawing from the same talent pool every year."

Billard said audiences for the four showings of this year's Easter play were considerably smaller than during the past few years.

He said the smaller crowds could be attributed to the fact many people had already seen the play, and a number of actors had also been in the 2004 production.

"We believe it's time for a change next year.

"We discussed it with the students and they agreed we either have to write a new one, or look for a different existing play for next year."

Billard said he decided to stay with An Easter Story this year because the students were used to performing it in both languages and familiar with the storyline, but it's obvious the time has come to move on.

The play has outlived its appeal for the time being.

"Maybe it would be more appreciated if we do it again in a few years, when people have a hankering to see the story told again."

Billard is now looking at the possibility of doing an excerpt from either The Diary of Anne Frank or The Outsiders before the end of the school year.

Both stories have been studied by the school's Grade 9 students this year.

Billard said there's lots of interest in The Outsiders, but he'd like to include a scene or two from each story.

"Our Grade 9 social studies teacher, Charlene Sutton, suggested doing the final scene of Anne Frank, where they're caught by the German soldiers.

"That would have the most drama and excitement.

"If enough Grade 9 students show up to the meeting later this week, we'll forge ahead with it and put on a small show, even if it's just for the Grade 9 classes."