Derek Wall
A&E Editor

The Cambrian Players are taking on the challenges of tackling a classic script, in this case, Arms of The Man by George Bernard Shaw. This script is likely to be exceptionally challenging, as it is famous for its subtle social satire.
It is a bit of a step back in time for The Cambrian Players. Their previous offering was Halo, a comedy set in a Tim Horton’s in small town Nova Scotia, and the play was thoroughly contemporary. Arms of the Man, however, takes us back to 19th century Bulgaria, during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.
The script offers the actors some excellent opportunities to hone their craft. Prominent Lakehead Student and Board Member for The Cambrian Players Sara Mackie is playing the part of Raina. As Mackie puts it, Raina is “looking for genuine emotions and experience but she also puts on late Victorian era airs.” To portray both is what makes the script somewhat notorious.
For Bryan MacLeod, playing the part of Bluntschli, the challenge lies in actually getting a better sense of comfort with the complex and sometimes wordy script.
And then there are the day-to-day scheduling issues. It is important to keep in mind that, while volunteering for the show, the other avenues of the actors’ lives do not slow down. William Perry, another performer, commented that juggling the rehearsal schedule as well as a career was “pretty hard.”
It would seem that the challenges are worth the effort, however. Perry further added that, “being a part of this show, I have felt a resurgence of my artistic side.” Bryan MacLeod also responded, when asked if he had gained anything from being a part of Arms of the Man, that he “is learning tons.”
The company assembled to take on this script are keen and anticipating a solid show. “The amount of experience [in this production] is substantial,” commented MacLeod, “This show has the A-List of amateur theatre in Thunder Bay.”
Speaking of experience, director Gabe Ferrazzo is also feeling very confident about the upcoming production. With still one week to rehearse left at the time of the interview, Ferrazzo stated that he “Feel[s] very good about the progress of the show at this time.” And if anyone should have a solid grasp on the readiness of the show, it’s Ferrazzo. As the longest serving member of The Cambrian Players, Ferazzo has been involved with the group for 25 years as a director, actor, producer, and board president.
The amount of energy and professionalism meeting the challenges of the classic script points to a very positive theatre experience for the general audience. A show that is “safe” usually feels just that way: safe and uninspired. The Cambrian Players have brought out their strong contenders to bring us Arms of the Man and the result should result in a show definitely worth attending.