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'Trying' wins zone drama festival

While the top honour went to a Maple Ridge theatre company, hosts Surrey Little Theatre were recognized for costumes, lighting and more.
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Home Fires co-director Paul Cowhig with the cast of the Surrey Little Theatre production

The play 'Trying' by a Maple Ridge theatre company has been named outstanding production at last week's Fraser Valley Zone Festival, hosted by Surrey Little Theatre.

Six plays were in competition, including SLT's Home Fires, which picked up awards for outstanding costume design, best lighting design, and set decorating/properties (Lana Hart, Shelly Lewis, and Ruth Bedell).

Home Fires, the SLT's final production of the season, explored the sacrifices on the home front during the Second World War. Set in Texas, the play followed the story of a woman raising three teens on her own, while taking in four young women as boarders in her home.

At the zones, the play won an honourable mention for best ensemble. Honourable mentions also went to co-directors Brigitte Seib and Paul Cowhig, and actress Rina Varley.

Festival adjudicator Kathryn Shaw created three new categories in order to recognize unique and valuable contributions, including honourable mention for Outstanding Song Composition, awarded to Laura Luongo and Home Fires.

"The Fraser Valley Zone Festival was excellent and the calibre of the plays was high," said Shaw, who's artistic director of Stage 58 at Langara University. "It was difficult to chose a winner from among all the entries."

Theatre companies from Langley, Surrey, Chilliwack, the Tri-Cities and Maple Ridge took part.

In addition to winning best production, the Emerald Pig Theatrical Society of Maple Ridge also picked up an award for best director, best actor, and supporting actress.

The award for outstanding ensemble went to God of Carnage by Langley Players Drama Club.

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