Matthew Watson is the recipient of the first Phyllis Clarke Memorial Scholarship. Peninsula Players recently established a scholarship to assist young people in their desire to pursue a career in theatre. The scholarship is in memory of Phyllis Clarke, a life member of Peninsula Players and a lifetime contributor to community performing arts.

Watson, a Claremont secondary student, hopes to pursue theatre at the University of Victoria, get a degree in education, and then teach performing arts and history, while continuing to perform in professional and community theatre.

His most recent roles include Billy Crocker in Anything Goes at the Ridge Theatre (2008) and The Fakir in Aladdin for Kaleidoscope Theatre (2007). He is currently playing the part of Dave Manning in Under the Yum Yum Tree for Peninsula Players, one of two entries the Players sent to the TheatreBC South Island Zone Festival last weekend. There he and castmate Rebecca McCarthy were awarded Best Ensemble Acting for their parts in Under the Yum Yum Tree.

Watson’s appetite for hard work is displayed by the fact that he had to rehearse for, and perform in, Anything Goes (ran to May 10 at Claremont) at the same time as rehearsing for Under the Yum Yum Tree. Watson also plays various instruments, composes music, and enjoys chess.

Phyllis Clarke’s husband, Sid Clarke, himself a life member of Peninsula Players, presented the award on stage during the opening night of Under the Yum Yum Tree, presented by the Peninsula Players.

Under the Yum Yum Tree, a comedy by Lawrence Roman, continues at the Charlie White Theatre. Shows run Friday May 16, Saturday May 17, Wednesday May 21, Thursday May 22, Friday May 23 and Saturday May 24. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

South Island Zone Festival 2008

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7th to SUNDAY, MAY 11th

PLACE: Lady Smith’s Little Theatre.

Each evening’s performance includes a brief public adjudication. Keith Digby

Line-up of Plays

Wednesday, May 7th Angel Street by Patrick Hamilton presented by Lady Smith’s Little Theatre

Thursday, May 8th It Had To Be You by Renee Taylor & Joseph Bologna presented by Yellow Point Drama Group

Friday, May 9th

A Shot In The Dark by Marcel Achard & Harry Kurnitz presented by Peninsula Players, Sydney

Saturday, May 10th

Love! Valour! Compassion! by Terrence McNally presented by Vancouver Island Players, Ladysmith

Sunday, May 11th

Under The Yum Yum Tree by Lawrence Roman presented by Peninsula Players, Sydney

followed by Awards Ceremony

Awards Night Results:

Best Production – It Had to Be You, Yellow Point Drama Group

Best Director – Joan Herron, Under the Yum Yum Tree, Peninsula Players

Best Actress – Wendy Wearne, Angel Street, Lady Smith’s Little Theatre

Best Actor – Brian March, It Had to Be You, Yellow Point Drama Group

Best Supporting Actress – Kyla Perry, Angel Street, Lady Smith’s Little Theatre

Best Supporting Actor – Robert Adams, A Shot in the Dark, Peninsula Players

Best Set/Props- Joan Herron and Alex Hunter, Under the Yum Yum Tree, Peninsula Players

Best Technical Lights/Sound Design – Tim Herron, Under the Yum Yum Tree, Peninsula Players

Best Costumes – Penelope Freeman and Jo Kelly, Angel Street, Lady Smith’s Little Theatre

Best Backstage- Under the Yum Yum Tree, Peninsula Players

Special Merit Awards presented by the Adjudicator (Keith Digby):

Courage in Play Selection and Playing: Love! Valour! Compassion! Vancouver Island Players
Constant Support of the SIZ Festival: Peninsula Players
Ensemble Playing: Rebecca McCarthy and Matthew Watson, Under the Yum Yum Tree, Peninsula Players

Zone Festivals are held in each of Theatre BC’s Zones throughout the spring, leading to the annual provincial MAINSTAGE theatre festival. Productions from each Zone Festival will participate as a “Best Production“ or “Workshop Play” at Theatre BC’s Mainstage 2008 in Nanaimo, B.C., July 4th – July 12th, 2008