Main Street Theatre is gritty, provocative, and intense. Like a rock being turned over, you cringe while your eyes are glued to the action festering underneath. In the intimate setting of Little Mountain Gallery, these productions feel startlingly real and leave you dazed with their energetic impact.
Sad Mag sat down over pints & shots with the local theatre folk to talk about their upcoming production, A Lie of the Mind, which we’re aching to see.
Sad Mag: How did Main Street Theatre start?
Daryl King: Over a few too many beers.
Josh Drebit: Daryl and Ryan were working on a show in Chemainus. Then they came to me and Bill Dow, and the rest of the team came from friends, and people whose work we respect.
SM: Why Main Street as the title?
JD: We knew the productions would be at Little Mountain Gallery and at the time we all lived and worked in the neighborhood. We also felt there were a lot of artists in the neighborhood who had no connection to theatre, and it seemed like a good time to bring theatre to this neighborhood. We had a few names involving Main Street, but this seemed the most straight forward.
DK: One of our mission statements is to do theatre in our community & really focus on the Main Street demographic.
SM: What’s the objective of Main Street Theatre?
DK: To produce great plays with an intimate feel.
JD: Generally, it’s to revive contemporary classics, and bring a new audience in to see them. Also, all of our shows are pay what you can – that’s very important to us.
SM: How do you find the theatre scene in Vancouver?
JD: I can only speak personally, but I love the Vancouver theatre scene. Like anyone I have frustrations at times but I think the best response to that is doing your own work, and further contributing to the community. I think we have all been pretty lucky by being supported by the Van theatre scene.
SM: What are some of your inspirations?
JD: I sometimes find inspirations from other artists, but it’s usually from friends and people I meet. Bartending is good for that.
SM: What do you do outside of theatre?
DK: Work down at the docks at the Port of Vancouver. Travel.
JD: I spend a lot of time with friends and family. And any chance to check out live music, or a game and I’m pretty happy.
SM: Tell me about your upcoming show.
DK: It’s rough & it’s epic.
JD: It’s about how two families deal with with a horribly violent act. Jake beats his wife Beth, and thinks he’s killed her. They both return to their own ridiculous families. It’s a dark play, but I think it’s very funny. Sam Sheppard is easily one of the great American playwrights.
SM: Main Street Theatre boxing?! How did I miss this fundraising event back in October? Do tell more!
JD: We literally kicked the shit out of each other and our friends to raise money. It was one of the best nights I’ve ever had. I don’t think anyone from the theatre community thought we were actually going to box.
DK: I beat the shit out of Ryan Beil & I only fought at 50%.
A Lie of the Mind
Little Mountain Gallery
Remaining Performances:
November 19 – December 4, 7:00 pm
No performances on Mondays
Call 604 992-2313 to make reservations
Photograph by Tina Kulic.