Elyse Ritchie took her current acting role as Emma Borden in memory of her sister.
The soon to be 32-year-old 91原创 City actor takes to the stage tonight in the 91原创 Players production of Blood Relations, and for Ritchie the production holds some significant sentimental meaning.
鈥淚 wanted to be in this play because I lost my older sister [Leanne Erickson] last year to cancer and she was always so supportive of my acting,鈥� Ritchie told the 91原创 Advance.
鈥淚 knew she would want me to continue doing what I love most.鈥�
Ritchie started her acting career once she made it to kindergarten, or so she tells it.
鈥淚 have always loved reading out loud, and changing my voice for different characters, so it made perfect sense,鈥� she said of her early start on stage.
In fact, she鈥檚 listed with a local talent agency and has auditioned for a few commercials and extra parts. But it seems her voice is getting more attention.
鈥淚 absolutely love doing voiceover work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am told on a daily basis that I have a very unique voice. I hope to continue that passion once Blood Relations wraps up.鈥�
Ritchie actual began her involvement in community theatre in 2007, her first duties as a stage manager in the White Rock Players鈥� showing of HA!.
Since then, she鈥檚 participated in four shows in the past four years with 91原创 Players, not to mention taken part in various productions with Surrey Little Theatre, Royal Canadian Theatre Company, and Peninsula Productions.
By day, Ritchie works at Coast Capital Savings full-time. But her hours as an administrator, combined with her 鈥渦nderstanding鈥� husband, family, and friends allow her to pursue her passion for acting in her spare time.
They understand 鈥渢hey may see less of me,鈥� for the four months stretch from the beginning of rehearsals through to the final curtain call.
In the case of Blood Relations, the first showing debuts tonight (Thursday, April 19) at the 91原创 Playhouse. This play runs until mid-May. They鈥檝e been rehearsing for the past two months.
鈥淭he most rewarding part has been the new friendships formed and how we have all been able to collaborate on this production,鈥� Ritchie said of the experience.
鈥淚 have had so much fun working with this amazingly talented group of people. Everyone has been so supportive and complimentary鈥� I think the funniest moment for me was during rehearsals we could be totally in the moment of the scene but then just burst into laughter. It just made everyone seem to loosen up and have fun.鈥�
A thriller
While there were many laughs shared in rehearsals leading up to tonight鈥檚 curtain call, it is no comedy. Far from. It delves into the story of two parents who were murdered with an axe.
鈥淭his is a thriller mystery, which will keep you on the edge of your seat,鈥� Ritchie said, encouraging theatre lovers to give it a shot.
On Aug. 4, 1892, Andrew and Abigail Borden were found axe murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Andrew鈥檚 youngest daughter Lizzie was charged but later acquitted of the double murder.
Years after her trial, Lizzie and her friend re-enact the tension within the Borden home in the days leading up to the infamous murder.
As the audience you can decide her guilt or innocence, or whether the murders were the only way out of a constrained existence in the mind of Lizzie Borden. Did she or didn鈥檛 she?
The question still reverberates.
Sharon Pollock is Canadian playwright, actor, and director who was awarded the Governor General鈥檚 Literary Award for this 1981 drama.
鈥淚 just want people to know that they will not be disappointed with the show. They really will be in for a treat,鈥� Ritchie concluded.
She shares the stage with Maple Ridge鈥檚 T.J. MacPherson as Miss Lizzie, 91原创鈥檚 Kristine Brams as the actress, Port Coquitlam鈥檚 Mary Ellen Shimell as Abigail Borden, Coquitlam鈥檚 Roger Meloche as Andrew Borden, Maple Ridge鈥檚 Paul Beckett as Harry Wingate, and Cloverdale鈥檚 Thomas Loan-Johnston as Dr. Patrick.
This play is directed by 91原创鈥檚 Raymond Hatton, 91原创鈥檚 production manager Mary Renvall, and the assistant production manager Tarrah Tanaka is from Cloverdale.
On until May 19
Blood Relations is featured Thursdays through Saturdays until May 19 with evening shows at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the show are $15 for all performances. Reservations can be made , by email at reservations@langleyplayers.com, or by calling 604-534-7469. Tickets can also be purchased .
