A Story That Has Spanned Generations: Peterborough Theatre Guild Bringing Beth McMaster’s Which Witch is Which? Back to the Stage
/By Scott Arnold
More than five decades after she first wrote it, local playwright Beth McMaster is watching her beloved children's play come to life once again, with this December's production bringing an especially meaningful audience to the theatre: her four great-grandchildren.
director kevin o’neill and playright beth mcmaster in front of the set for which witch is which? the production runs at the peterborough theatre guild from december 4th through the 15th. (photo by scott arnold)
Some stories have a way of finding new audiences, no matter how much time passes. For Peterborough playwright Beth McMaster, one of those stories has been bringing children into the world of theatre for more than half a century.
Written 53 years ago, Which Witch is Which? has travelled far beyond the stage where it first found an audience, being performed across Canada, throughout the United States and in several other countries. Now, the Peterborough Theatre Guild is bringing the production back this December, giving a new generation the opportunity to experience the imaginative, interactive story.
For McMaster, however, this particular production carries a little extra magic.
Her four great-grandchildren, aged six, five, four and three, will be coming to see the play, marking the first time they will have watched a production written by their great-grandmother.
"It's the first one that they've seen that their great-grandmother has written," McMaster said.
It's a special moment for a playwright whose work has already entertained generations of young audiences, and one that brings the story of Which Witch is Which? full circle.
the original playbill for which witch is which?, written 53 years ago by beth mcmaster. (written by scott arnold)
McMaster has a long history with the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Looking back through the theatre's book The First 30 Years, she discovered that 28 of her plays had been performed at the Guild during its first three decades, although some were repeat productions. She estimates she has written approximately 22 plays over the years, many of them for children.
While the title might suggest a story centred entirely around witches, there's a much bigger idea at the heart of Which Witch is Which?
"It's not meant to be about witches particularly, but it's meant to tell a story about how somebody has to make a decision about what they're going to do with their life and makes their own decision and finds themself," McMaster explained.
That message is wrapped in a playful adventure at The Scary School for Wicked Witches, where magical mischief, unexpected challenges and plenty of humour give audiences an entertaining way to explore the story's deeper themes.
One of the things that has made the production particularly memorable over the years is its interactive approach. Rather than simply watching the action unfold, audience members become part of the experience, helping the characters along the way.
McMaster has always loved seeing that connection between the performers and the audience.
"The special part about this time is that my 4 great-grandchildren are going to be here," she said.
"I'm very excited when the kids get excited because that's what it's all about."
For director Kevin O'Neill, that opportunity to bring audiences into the story was one of the things that immediately appealed to him when he first read McMaster's script.
He remembers the kind of theatre he enjoyed as a child, particularly productions that encouraged audiences to participate and use their imaginations. He sees Which Witch is Which? as an opportunity to bring some of that experience to today's audiences.
"It's not AI slop. It really encourages the imaginative play, which I think is very important," O'Neill said.
He believes that kind of creativity is something worth protecting, not just for children, but for adults as well.
"We need to keep our imagination alive, and that's part of what this play does."
O'Neill also points to the values woven into the story, including friendship, kindness, beauty and the decisions people make about what truly matters in life.
Those themes are important, he says, even when they're being explored through a children's production.
"They're broad themes about being a good person and what it means to value friendship and beauty and sometimes when you get messages where other things are important, other values in life."
Although the production is designed with young audiences in mind, O'Neill believes there is something for everyone, provided they're willing to get involved.
The five-person cast features four adults and one teenager, with a range of ages that has proven to be an asset throughout rehearsals. It's also a different approach from some of the Guild's previous family productions, which have featured larger casts of children.
The audience participation is one of the elements O'Neill is particularly looking forward to sharing. Without giving away too much, he describes moments when audience members might find themselves helping the good characters while keeping an eye out for a villain who could be hiding somewhere on stage.
And there is another interesting twist in this production that even McMaster is looking forward to seeing.
Superintendent Sneersby, the leader of the School for Wicked Witches, is being played by Mardy Kennedy. McMaster says she has never seen the role performed by a woman before, making this interpretation a new experience for her as well.
For O'Neill, being entrusted with the production has been an honour. Although he has spent considerably more time acting than directing throughout his involvement with the Theatre Guild, he has enjoyed working collaboratively with the cast to bring the story and its messages to life.
He also credits the supportive theatre community for helping the production through some of the challenges that can arise during the rehearsal process, including cast changes and scheduling difficulties.
"It's been wonderful," he said, pointing to the number of people willing to step in and help when needed.
Ultimately, he hopes audiences leave with something that extends beyond the theatre doors.
Whether it's participating in a live performance, playing outside or simply letting their minds wander, O'Neill wants people to recognize the importance of making room for imagination in everyday life.
"Not just through childhood, but as adults as well. The imagination is really important. And I think that's a big thrust of this play."
It's a message that feels particularly fitting for a production that has managed to find its way into the lives of so many children over 53 years.
For McMaster, there is also the joy of seeing something she created more than half a century ago continue to evolve through different casts, interpretations and generations of audiences.
And while she has watched Which Witch is Which? come to life many times, this December will bring a memory she can share with her own family for years to come.
She is quick to praise O'Neill's work as director and is looking forward to seeing the latest interpretation of her play.
"Kevin's done a fabulous job of directing it and it's going to be a fun show," she said.
which witch is which? will open at the the peterborough theatre guild on december 4th, promising an interactive performance that will engage audiences of all ages. (photo by scott arnold)
Which Witch is Which? runs at the Peterborough Theatre Guild from December 4th to 13th, with performances at 7:30pm and select afternoon matinees at 1:30pm.
Written by Beth McMaster, with music and lyrics by Monica Palmer, the 55-minute family-friendly musical features no intermission and is recommended for audiences aged three and up.
The production is directed by Kevin O'Neill, produced by Pat Hooper, with Hayley Griffin as stage manager, Marion Griffin as music director, Julie Fallis as choreographer, Beth McMaster as assistant producer and Kate Suhr as vocal consultant.
Whether it's a child's first experience with live theatre or a return to a story that has delighted audiences for generations, Which Witch is Which? offers an opportunity to step away from the everyday, use a little imagination and become part of the magic.
part of the set for the peterborough theatre guild’s upcoming production of which witch is which?, set to open at the guild on december 4th. (photo by scott arnold)
