Chinook takes on ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’

By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 28, 2024.

The British comedy hit from Mischief Theatre hits the local stage with the Chinook High School drama department proudly presenting “The Play that Goes Wrong.”
Chinook High School principal and director, Duane Piper shared what audience can expect.
“Whatever they’re expecting, it’s going to be crazier than that. What they can expect to do is to laugh though. This is just such a funny play. My cheeks hurt every night,” said Piper.
Piper said he believes this is the first time an Alberta school as put this play on.
“I’m pretty sure this is the first time any high school in all of Alberta has attempted this play, because it’s such a challenge to do. But we have the actors, we have the technicians. And they are not only supremely talented, but they are also willing to put in the work,” he said.
Piper said approximately 30 students have worked 150 to 200 hours outside of school hours to put this play together.
Student and actor Malachi Maret said the undertaking has paid off with the outcome this production has resulted in.
“When I first was cast in the show, I was a little apprehensive. It’s a big undertaking, as Duane said, ‘it hasn’t been done by high school in Alberta.’
I was worried that it was going to have to be watered down and that we were going to have to remove a lot of what I think brings the life to the play that goes wrong. But that was not the case at all,” said Maret.
Chinook High School drama department production of The Play that Goes Wrong has two casts, giving students the opportunity to play different roles each night over a total of eight shows.
“I have loved being able to build like a knit community with the other actors and technicians, that’s a big thing, for me,” said Maret.
“As a performer is being able to have those connections. And I think that’s super important in high schools, to be able to foster that positive community, as well as performing is something I’ve always loved.”
The Play that Goes Wrong is running this week through Saturday at Chinook High School with show times at 7 p.m., as well as a noon matinee Saturday before the closing performance that evening at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the show are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the door or online at lethbridge.schoolcashonline.com.

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