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We remember Slaughterhouse-Five was, is, and will always be performed November 11th

By November 11, 2018News, Slaughterhouse Five

Slaughterhouse-Five was, is, and will always be performed November 11th. As such, we reflect on that particular moment in time and the people who made it possible:

There are many things that have happened on November 11th. Western culture has declared a holiday to remember those who fought, continue to fight, and will fight in historic wars that have led humanity to where we are today. One of those fighters was a little baby born who grew up to tell stories, named Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. On this day, where people are reminded about how the events of the past forms the present and shapes the future, we also remember something different yet connected.

We at LML remember Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. An effort that took one-year of pre-production, for a five-show run. We remember collaborating with a team of talented people whose art brought something truly special into people’s hearts. It was a show of firsts – working with people who we’ve had the luck of working with again since; it was our first production to be staged at Studio 1398, which now seems like a second home for us; and it was our first sold-out performance.

I remember I helped someone who was excited about our show, but didn’t know how to purchase tickets as she didn’t have internet at home. It was too far to drive from Surrey to pick them up in person, as she was older and admitted she didn’t like driving to the city alone. It was novel to think that someone based so far away had noticed our little blip in the Vancouver arts scene.

Director/Producer Matt Clarke and his partner welcomed their daughter into the world only a few nights before we opened; it was amazing to see this tiny little human being doted on by soldiers in their fatigues, women in 1950s-era sundresses, a bikini-clad alien abductee, and our ever-present crew. That little human arrived just in time to bring the production a little bit of added luck.

This collection of firsts was made possible by many different things, but more than anything it was made possible by the people involved. There are so many talented, amazing people on our roster from that show, and we’re happy to see their lives moving forward in the arts and beyond. Here is a small selection of those we’ve kept up to date with, but it is by no means a complete list of everyone from Slaughterhouse-Five.

Jeremy Leroux acted as a centrepiece for our ensemble as Billy Pilgrim. Since he put his time-travelling days behind him, he’s been very busy. Jeremy has had parts in local theatre and tv shows, and recently finished writing and directing his first feature, Dominant Chord. In addition to this, he’s created his own design company, True Reflections Media.

Steve James worked diligently on stage after stage, as well as on camera in many roles since Slaughterhouse-Five. He’s since retired from acting, but still finds ways to stay connected with the theatre community. He was present at LML’s first annual general meeting, and we hope he continues along with us, as his experience-based guidance is truly valuable.

Mily Mumford has been one of the busiest people since Slaughterhouse-Five; producing her own work under the Nebula Company Theatre banner, as well as starring in her own one-woman show “Distractingly Sexy”. In addition to this, she’s started delving into the world of film, with her Crazy 8’s Film Festival produced debut short “Gemini”, currently touring the film festival circuit.

Lloyd Darling has shifted focus it seems from actor to director – forming film company Fresh as a Daisy Films, writing and starring in productions, as well as heading the newly minted Vancouver Horror Show (VHS), a film festival based around the most macabre films in the city and beyond. The first VHS happened this last October, and we’re excited to watch it grow.