The Beast of Blackthorn Manor
by Jeremy Beaulne
March 9th-12th, 2023
CHARLOTTE: [Narrating.] Fatigued from the exertions of her long journey, yet unbowed and
undaunted, the young governess cast her eyes upon the barren tracts of moorland that
spread out before her. What future awaited her in this strange, desolate place, so far from
all she had ever known and loved?
The Beast of Blackthorn Manor is a new comedy inspired by classic Gothic novels like Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
When she accepts a position at Blackthorn Manor, an isolated manor house in the Yorkshire moors, governess Charlotte Vole has no idea that she is about to plunge into a Gothic world filled with mysteries. Why is her employer, the dashing Mr. Gastropod, tormented by guilt? What has become of the precious ruby necklace the belonged to his late wife? And what is the secret of the “Beast,” the supernatural hound that haunts Blackthorn Manor?
When she accepts a position at Blackthorn Manor, an isolated manor house in the Yorkshire moors, governess Charlotte Vole has no idea that she is about to plunge into a Gothic world filled with mysteries. Why is her employer, the dashing Mr. Gastropod, tormented by guilt? What has become of the precious ruby necklace the belonged to his late wife? And what is the secret of the “Beast,” the supernatural hound that haunts Blackthorn Manor?
Poster by Julia Turner-Lansall.
CAST
CHARLOTTE VOLE - Sarah Foss
EDMUND BOGGS - Kevin Morrison
MARGARET CLENCH – Tina Theberge
PIXADORA GASTROPOD - Olivia Ware
NICODEMUS GASTROPOD - Harsh Hundal
MADELINE GASTROPOD - Elizabeth Flowers
ROGER VALENCOURT - John Erridge
THE BEAST - Vanessa Costa
MIRANDA PARKER-WOOD - Michelle Tillack
KELSEY ICETON - Kelsey Iceton
CREW
DIRECTOR - Jeremy Beaulne
STAGE MANAGER - Kelsey Iceton
COSTUME DESIGNER - Kelsey Iceton
LIGHTING DESIGNER - Mike Minions
PROPERTIES DIRECTOR - Kelsey Iceton
SET DESIGNER - Jeremy Beaulne
SOUND DESIGNER - Jeremy Beaulne
SOUND OPERATOR - Michelle Tillack
PHOTOGRAPHER - Kelsey Iceton
POSTER DESIGNER - Julia Turner Lansall
CHARLOTTE VOLE - Sarah Foss
EDMUND BOGGS - Kevin Morrison
MARGARET CLENCH – Tina Theberge
PIXADORA GASTROPOD - Olivia Ware
NICODEMUS GASTROPOD - Harsh Hundal
MADELINE GASTROPOD - Elizabeth Flowers
ROGER VALENCOURT - John Erridge
THE BEAST - Vanessa Costa
MIRANDA PARKER-WOOD - Michelle Tillack
KELSEY ICETON - Kelsey Iceton
CREW
DIRECTOR - Jeremy Beaulne
STAGE MANAGER - Kelsey Iceton
COSTUME DESIGNER - Kelsey Iceton
LIGHTING DESIGNER - Mike Minions
PROPERTIES DIRECTOR - Kelsey Iceton
SET DESIGNER - Jeremy Beaulne
SOUND DESIGNER - Jeremy Beaulne
SOUND OPERATOR - Michelle Tillack
PHOTOGRAPHER - Kelsey Iceton
POSTER DESIGNER - Julia Turner Lansall
OC’s Red Dot Players present The Beast of Blackthorn Manor
By College Relations | March 1, 2023
Spring may be in like a lion out like a lamb, but a different beast is on the prowl at Okanagan College this month, courtesy of OC’s theatre troupe.
The Red Dot Players are excited to present the premiere production of The Beast of Blackthorn Manor, a new comedy by Okanagan College English professor Jeremy Beaulne.
The plot promises to delight fans of gothic literature and those new to the genre: When she accepts a position at Blackthorn Manor, an isolated manor house in the Yorkshire moors, governess Charlotte Vole has no idea that she is about to plunge into a Gothic world filled with mysteries. Why is her employer, the dashing Mr. Gastropod, tormented by guilt? What has become of the precious ruby necklace that belonged to his late wife? And what is the secret of the “Beast,” the supernatural hound that haunts Blackthorn Manor?
The Beast of Blackthorn Manor is an affectionate pastiche of classic Gothic novels, particularly Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. It was inspired by playwright Beaulne’s love of nineteenth-century literature and a trip he took to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire.
“The Brontë sisters, along with their father and brother, lived next to an overgrown cemetery on the edge of the moors,” says Beaulne. “It would have been surprising if they hadn’t written Gothic novels!”
The Beast of Blackthorn Manor is being produced by the Red Dot Players, Okanagan College’s community theatre company. The cast and crew include Okanagan College students, employees, and alumni, as well as members of the larger community.
Rehearsals for The Beast of Blackthorn Manorstarted in January. “Everyone has been working really hard to make the show a success,” says Beaulne. “I’ve been blown away by their talent and creativity.”
Performances of The Beast of Blackthorn Manorare taking place on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Okanagan College Theatre (1000 KLO Road, Kelowna).
Regular tickets for The Beast of Blackthorn Manor are $20. Student and senior tickets are $18. They can be purchased in advance from reddotplayers.com. They will also be available at the door.
Spring may be in like a lion out like a lamb, but a different beast is on the prowl at Okanagan College this month, courtesy of OC’s theatre troupe.
The Red Dot Players are excited to present the premiere production of The Beast of Blackthorn Manor, a new comedy by Okanagan College English professor Jeremy Beaulne.
The plot promises to delight fans of gothic literature and those new to the genre: When she accepts a position at Blackthorn Manor, an isolated manor house in the Yorkshire moors, governess Charlotte Vole has no idea that she is about to plunge into a Gothic world filled with mysteries. Why is her employer, the dashing Mr. Gastropod, tormented by guilt? What has become of the precious ruby necklace that belonged to his late wife? And what is the secret of the “Beast,” the supernatural hound that haunts Blackthorn Manor?
The Beast of Blackthorn Manor is an affectionate pastiche of classic Gothic novels, particularly Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. It was inspired by playwright Beaulne’s love of nineteenth-century literature and a trip he took to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire.
“The Brontë sisters, along with their father and brother, lived next to an overgrown cemetery on the edge of the moors,” says Beaulne. “It would have been surprising if they hadn’t written Gothic novels!”
The Beast of Blackthorn Manor is being produced by the Red Dot Players, Okanagan College’s community theatre company. The cast and crew include Okanagan College students, employees, and alumni, as well as members of the larger community.
Rehearsals for The Beast of Blackthorn Manorstarted in January. “Everyone has been working really hard to make the show a success,” says Beaulne. “I’ve been blown away by their talent and creativity.”
Performances of The Beast of Blackthorn Manorare taking place on Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Okanagan College Theatre (1000 KLO Road, Kelowna).
Regular tickets for The Beast of Blackthorn Manor are $20. Student and senior tickets are $18. They can be purchased in advance from reddotplayers.com. They will also be available at the door.
