THE BELOVED (2023)

A World Premiere By Wesley J. Colford
Directed by Jeannette Lambermont-Morey

Join us for this exciting debut of a brand new play 312 years in development - set in 18th Century England in the style of a Restoration Comedy.

This historical fiction follows David, a foundling who grew up at a rectory and recently was assigned to the estate of Claude Hall as a servant. As David is introduced to the staff, and the tangled web of sexual dalliances they hopscotch through daily, he is reminded of a sermon they internalized as a child – that of “The Beloved”, a select group of chosen ones meant to be god’s favourite. But just who are the Beloved? And can they survive the hypersexualized world of Restoration England with their virtue in tact?

Content Advisory: This play contains heightened adult language and sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised.

Developed and Presented with assistance from Canadian Heritage, Arts Nova Scotia, Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

HERE’S WHAT PATRONS ARE SAYING:

"Very raw, true feelings portrayed up there. There were times I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Bravo Wesley! Bravo to the cast! Amazing lighting and sound. I was truly moved by the show. Amazing is an understatement." -PFM

"Such humour and a thought provoking story. It will challenge you. Take the time to attend this play. Congratulations Wesley J. Colford for an impressive script." -LD

"Amazing performances. Well written and hilariously funny. I thoroughly enjoyed it." -EB

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TRAILERs

CAST & CREW

  • Misha Sharivker (He/Him) – David Rivers

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Willmore (The Rover, George Brown Theatre School), The Basset Table (Sir James, George Brown Theatre School), and 13 the Musical (Archie, Guelph Little Theatre)

    Training:
    George Brown Theatre School

    Other:
    Catch Misha at the Toronto Fringe Festival in OF A BLANK CANVAS (or, the distance between the BRIDGE and the WATER) by Michael Manning and directed by Jeannette Lambermont-Morey

  • Darryl Hopkins – Father Thomas, Vicar of the Estate

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Master Ford in 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (Perchance Theatre Co.), Wayne in 'Between Breaths' (Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland), Joel in 'Real Estate' (Victoria Playhouse)

    Training:
    He holds a BFA from SWGC (MUN), where he received the Tommy Sexton Award in 2002.

    Other:
    I'm really, really so glad to be here at the HAT in Sydney, performing this joyous new theatrical work.

  • Mea Tonet (She/Her) – Lucy

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Into the Woods (Cinderella), Cabaret (Lulu/Chanteuse),
    Samqwan (Humming Chorus), Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Ephesus), As You Like It (Cori)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Matilda the Musical (HAT/Savoy), Dracula (Boardmore Theatre), Grease (Riverview High School)

    Training:
    Recently completed first year at Sheridan (Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance)

    Other:
    I am SO EXCITED to be back on Cape Breton doing what I love most!

  • Hilary Scott (She/Her) – Julia

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Punch Up (The Saddest Girl in the World - 2015 Atlantic Fringe; Winner of BEST OF FEST), Dream (Puck), HERSTORY (Marilyn), Criminals in Love (Director)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Genesis & Other Stories (AFtT Theatre), Heart of Steel (Factory Theatre), for TV: Odd Squad (TVOKids), Frankie Drake Mysteries (CBC)

    Training:
    George Brown Conservatory

    Other:
     Hilary is pleased as punch to be back at the HAT working with this tenacious team. She hopes you enjoy the show, and exploring alongside these characters as they explore themselves. Her artwork for the HAT as well as personal works/commissions can be found on Instagram @hilhob!

  • Marcia Johnson (She/Her) – Lady Acres

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    The Wonderful (Caravan Farm Theatre); Serving Elizabeth (Thousand Islands Playhouse; Western Canada Theatre); 1837: The Farmers' Revolt (Blyth Festival)

    Other:
    Playwriting: Serving Elizabeth (Stratford Festival; Belfry Theatre; Peterborough Players; Theatre Aquarius)

  • Andy Gouthro (He/Him) – Andrew Shaftless

    Andrew Gouthro is a Cape Breton born performer with an unshakeable love for theatre, and a long-term crush on the HAT. From such wonderful productions as Sucker, The CBLA and Best Brothers, to The Glass Menagerie, Disco Nights and The Drowsy Chaperone (to name just a few), he remains passionate and insatiable when it comes to entertaining the crowd. He is in some disbelief that this is even happening. However, illusion or no, he begs you not to pinch him awake.

  • Ganesh Thava (He/Him) – Robert Acres

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    The Incident (Oakham Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Unionville Theatre Company)

    Training:
    George Brown Theatre School (Toronto), Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre (New York)

    Other:
    There is so much about this production to love. From the script to the team and the exciting opportunity to experience Sydney, Nova Scotia, I am delighted to join the cast!

  • Emma Vickers (She/Her) – Elmy/Lucy Understudy

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    The Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, The Rocky Horror Show (Capitol Theatre), The Hobbit, If You Could Wear My Sneakers (Festival Antigonish), Seeds of Change (Neptune Theatre TourCo), A Christmas Carol (Villains Theatre); Film/TV: Kids Vs Aliens (Shudder/RLJE), Diggstown, 22 Minutes (CBC)

    Training:
    Bachelor of Music (St. Francis Xavier University), Performing Arts Diploma (Canadian College of Performing Arts)

    Other:
    I am so excited to be making my HAT debut in this fabulous new play! Thank you to everyone involved for your work, kindness, and support!

  • Maggie Power (She/They) – Henriette/Understudy for Julia

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    As You Like It (Rosalind), Into the Woods (Rapunzel)
    Favourite Credits Elsewhere: Matilda the Musical (The Savoy Theatre)

    Other:
    I am over the moon to be back at the HAT and a part of this project!

  • Maverick McDougall (He/Him) – Assistant Stage Manager/David Understudy

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Frozen Jr. (Kristoff), Seussical the Musical (Wickersham Brother), Into the Woods (Jack)

    Previous Credits Elsewhere:
    The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Riverview Highschool), The Outsiders (The Boardmore Playhouse)

    Other:
    After spending the past few years performing in a variety of shows around Cape Breton, I’m very happy to come back to the theatre where my love for the stage was born!

  • Jeannette Lambermont-Morey (She/Her) – Director/Dramaturge

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    A few select -- MOVING DAY, by Cathy Elliott (Xchange Theatre Works); TEMPTING PROVIDENCE, by Robert Chafe (Theatre on the Ridge); PYGMALION, by GB Shaw (Guild Festival Theatre); MARY'S WEDDING, by Stephen Massicotte (Festival Players); THE TEMPEST, by W Shakespeare (New World Theatre Project); HENRY V, by W Shakespeare (Stratford Festival of Canada); PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, by Christina Calvi, from Jane Austen (Stratford Festival of Canada)

    Other:
    I am also a theatre instructor, passionate about actor training, and have taught/directed at many theatre schools including the Juilliard School (NY), George Brown Theatre School (Toronto), and Memorial University (NFLD). I am honoured and thrilled to be working with some past grads on this very show

  • Wesley J. Colford (they/them) – PLAYWRIGHT & PRODUCER

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone (Director)

    Favourite Writing Credits Elsewhere:
    Excuse Me, Would You Like to Buy a Bar?, Mature Young Adults, My Friend’s Best Friend’s Boyfriend, and Pizza Passion.

    Training:
    Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School

    Other:
    This play has been a long time coming and I am so grateful to this incredible team for lending us their passions and finally bringing it to life. Many thanks!

  • Kate Munro-Bergfeldt (She/They) – Stage Manager

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    As You Like It, Into the Woods, The Happy Prince, Pride and Prejudice, A Christmas Carol (Stage Management)

    Previous Credits Elsewhere:
    The Bells of Baddeck (Parks Canada), Samqwan (Neptune Theatre/Confederation Centre)

    Training:
    Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Cape Breton University (in-progress)

  • Kayla Cormier (she/her) –SET, PROP, & COSTUME DESIGN

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Into the Woods (Set and Costumes), Cabaret (Costumes), She Loves Me (Set), Little Shop of Horrors (Set), West Moon (Set), See Jane Run (Costumes)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    In Lieu of Flowers (Neptune Theatre); Matilda the Musical (Savoy Theatre); Pillowman (Boardmore Playhouse)

    Training:
    Production Management (CBU)

    Other:
    2023 Robert Merritt Award winner for Outstanding Costume Design

  • Ken Heaton (he/him) – LIGHTING DESIGNER

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    My recent lighting designs include almost everything produced at the HAT since 2014.

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Both Grease and Matilda (Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay)

    Other:
    It is great to be back at the HAT!