Having Hope at Home ~ Starring Sherry Smith
Starting tonight, theatre lovers in Halifax can beat
the winter blahs with Neptune Theatre’s production of the hilarious hit comedy Having Hope at Home, the side-splitting
story of one pregnant women’s determination to make a positive domestic
impression on her parents over family dinner. Recently we caught up with
actress Sherry
Smith, who plays the role of Carolyn’s mother Jane.
How long
have you been involved in theatre, and in what capacity?
SS: I
started acting in Grade 3. My teacher called me Carol Burnett the 2nd and that
was it. Professionally, I got my first paying gig in 1980 and have been working
ever since, so 34 years. Mostly as an actress, but I have dabbled with writing
and directing and I am a co-founder of LunaSea Theatre, a local company, which
required a lot of producer work.
How did
you get involved with Having Hope at Home?
SS: Marcia
Kash, the director, had hired me to do Sexy Laundry at Neptune a couple
of years ago. She generously offered me this role and I was thrilled to accept!
What are
the challenges and rewards of the role?
SS: I play
a much put together wife of a doctor, and mother of the young woman in the
play. She's very proper, a little old fashioned and is desperate for the
evening to go well. Of course, it doesn't, so she unravels at one point, which
is a lot of fun to play. I am so far from being this type of person that it
becomes the challenge and the reward; to be believable and not a caricature,
and to walk in someone else’s shoes for a couple of hours. That's why I do what
I do!
What can
audiences expect during the run?
SS: This is
the perfect show for the February blahs and post Christmas let down. It's a fun
play with a big heart. It's about families and how all the different
personalities must learn to accept one another and be who they are. I am sure
most people will relate to at least one of the characters from the play -
father, daughter, sister, mother, grandfather, in-laws, etc
What are
your thoughts on the state of theatre in Halifax, and Atlantic Canada?
SS: I moved
to Halifax 10 years ago, and in this decade, I have seen a terrific growth in
self-produced work. The drawback, of course, is that the pot of money to
support this work has not grown. But the work gets done and it's eclectic
and innovative and covers a wide range of styles and genres. It's a very
exciting time to be in Halifax! As for the Atlantic region, summer is a wild
time! I challenge anyone to get to all the multitude of shows offered in all
three Maritime Provinces, as well as in Newfoundland! There is so much
happening!
What's
next on your own theatrical agenda?
SS: Nothing
definite work-wise… I am on the Board of WIFT-AT (Women in Film and Television
- Atlantic) and we are preparing our Women Making Waves Conference taking place
in March. It's an exciting gathering of inspiring women from the industry,
networking and giving workshops and sharing their experiences and knowledge,
along with a few drinks here and there! I also have a couple of kids that keep
me hopping. It's all good!
Having
Hope at Home
January 14-February 9, 2014
Neptune Theatre, Halifax
www.neptunetheatre.com
Image of Sherry Smith sourced from www.lunaseatheatre.ca
