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ARVIAT
A modern take on a classic story was the theme of a highly successful holiday play in Arviat this past week.

Shepherds Groan (Andy Evaloakjuk), Grunt (Jonathan Kigusiutnak), Pipsqueak (Peter Aliktiluk), Grumble (Ethan Tassiuk) and Moan (Leo Kookeyuk), from left, learn a valuable moral lesson in the production of Don't Bring Me Down in Arviat this past week. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

The production, Don't Bring Me Down: A Very Different Nativity Play by England's Stewart Auti, featured 26 cast members performing 28 roles, and attracted close to 1,000 people between its two public and three school shows.

Director Gord Billard said despite the title, the show respects the original nativity story.

He said the play has a few interesting twists to add humour and interest for adult theatre lovers and make it more accessible for the younger set.

"I gave the introduction to the audience, letting them know the story combines elements of Cinderella with the traditional nativity story and a strong, positive anti-bullying message," said Billard.

"Pipsqueak is a young shepherd boy who is routinely bullied by his older brothers, aptly named Moan, Groan, Grumble and Grunt.

"Their names certainly give a clue as to their personalities in the play.

"They get a visit from Archangel Gabriel, and a few other angels, as they hear about the birth happening in Bethlehem and leave to witness it."

The group plans to use their GPS to find the stable in Bethlehem, and they leave Pipsqueak to mind the sheep.

Pipsqueak meets the Dreamseller, who is a cross between a 1960s hippy and a fairy godfather.

The Dreamseller later grants Pipsqueak a wish and he makes it to Bethlehem before his brothers to witness all the events that took place.

His four brothers, however, are misguided by their GPS and arrive at the stable too late.

Billard said the brothers get chewed out by the Dreamseller at the end of the play, who tells them they got exactly what they deserved and more love and less bullying is needed for the future.

He said the brothers end up taking Pipsqueak under their wings.

"The play had some really funny scenes, like when Joseph actually manages to get a couple of visitors kicked out of the inn so he and Mary would have a room, but they ended up in the stable anyway.

"Inside, Joseph hauls a little wallet out of his pocket, drops a bunch of credit cards and actually asks if the inn takes MasterCard.

"And, when Mary and Joseph first entered the inn, Mary was pulling a wheeled luggage cart behind her with the British flag on it and that certainly brought laughs from the audience."

The play featured a number of classic pop songs, such as its title by the Electric Light Orchestra, Gary Wright's Dream Weaver, ABBA's I Have A Dream, the Proclaimer's I Would Walk 1,000 Miles, Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow, and Jesus: What A Wonderful Child by Mariah Carey, among others.

The Dreamseller, himself, spoke in song lyrics throughout the play.

The approach, again, offered something for both the younger and older members of the audience to enjoy.

Overall, the cast and crew, which included a record number of Grade 8 students involved, were pleased with the audience reaction to their shows.

Billard said the play was a bit of a risk because of the older songs it used and the twists to the story, but everyone got the jokes and really seemed to enjoy the production.

He said there were plenty of positive comments afterwards and everyone truly seemed to have a good time.

"We charged $2 at the door, and we also accepted a donation of a non-perishable food item for the food bank, which got quite a few people in.

"In fact, we collected more food than I've seen at previous Christmas shows.

"The Leadership Resiliency Program group had a canteen to raise money for the food bank, as well as having their own little food drive on the go.

"So, it was a combined effort in terms of us trying to help out some of the less fortunate in the community during the holidays."

Billard said the success of the play was a total team effort.

He said the costumes Charlene Paterson put together for the production were simply amazing.

"Annette Atkinson handles our makeup, and she had some great help from Kim Dymond and Celeste White to have the characters really looking the part of people from the Middle East.

"Catherine Harper, with help from Kelly Herder, did another great job on the soundscape, and we had a little choir performing Christmas songs between scenes.

"I just wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for all the other teachers who back me up in all these areas.

"I'm really fortunate to have such a great team of people helping with our plays."

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