Kid actors learn from icon

Photo: Contributed

A group of young Kelowna actors is getting a rare opportunity to learn from one of Canada's most notable stage performers.

Seven Bumbershoot Children's Theatre students are rehearsing with Jeff Hyslop in preparation for the opening of The Giver on April 16.

Artistic director Tracy Ross said as well as being a learning experience for the young actors, the opportunity to work with the original Phantom in the Canadian touring production of Phantom of the Opera is providing them with unique insights into many aspects of theatre.

Hyslop will play the role of The Giver in the production, with Antony Knight playing opposite as The Receiver of Memory, a 12-year-old character who begins to understand the dark secrets behind his community as explained by The Giver.

Other local performers include Allison Macfarlane, Trance Blackman, Sarah Goddard, Francois Jolicoeur, Natasha Simon-Jantz and Tessa Bentley.

Hyslop is an icon of the Canadian musical theatre as an actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer. As the Phantom, he made more than 975 performances. His other work has included Jesus Christ Superstar, The Pirates of Penzance and he was Jeff the Mannequin in the TV series Today's Special. 

In England, he acted in the British production of  A Chorus Line at the Drury Lane Theatre as part of the original cast. Among his career memorabilia is a pair of tap shoes which were given to him by Gene Kelly when they worked together on a Sandy Duncan television special.

The Giver runs April 16 to 26 at Bumbershoot Theatre on Cannery Lane. Tickets are available at the Bumbershoot Box Office, online, or by calling 778-478-0142.