by some divine mistake
Written and directed by Joan Bryans
Was there ever a femme more fatale than Alma Rattenbury, seductress of B.C.'s foremost architect?
Ebulliant, vivacious, and charismatic, Alma sweeps Francis Rattenbury off his feet. In a few years she, along with a 17 year old servant who is her lover, is accused of Rattenburyís murder. An explosive trial follows at the Old Bailey with both Alma and her lover facing the death penalty.
Before that fatal meeting with Rattenbury in the lounge of the Empress Hotel, Alma had lived an adventurous but highly laudable life (receiving the Croix de Guerre for her WW1 work). What causes the spiral down to the dock at the Old Bailey? Her letters and her own, enormously successful, music gives us a clue. Her life is shaped by the aesthetic of the popular songs of the day - and all who become involved with her are molded in their light, and seduced by its appeal.
Cast
Alma Rattenbury...... Vanessa Parent
Francis (Ratz) Rattenbury...... Paul Toolan
George Stoner...... Kevin Kraussler
Irene, Townswoman, Wardress...... Kerry Constable
The Questioner, Accuser #1, Dr. Gillespie, Townsman...... Dick Pugh
O’Connor, Accuser #2, Dr. Mann, Townsman...... Hamish Cameron
George, Accuser #3, Dr. Grierson...... Laureen E. Smith
Mrs. Kingham, Townswomam, Reporter...... Beth Coleman
Dr. Weatherly, Clerk of the Court, Policeman, Townsman, Guard...... Albano Carreiro
Voiceovers...... John Harris
...... Derek Carr
...... Connor Wilkinson
Production Team
Director .....Joan Bryans
Assistant Director/Properties .....Frances Herzer
Choreographer .....Alexis Quednau
Lighting Designer/Technical Director .....Mimi Abrahams
Set Designer .....Sean Tyson
Sound Designer .....Darren W. Hales
Costume Designer .....Catherine E. Carr
Stage Manager .....Kristin Mattock
Assistant Stage Managers .....Kristin Ferguson, Linda Bakker
Set Crew .....Catherine Carlson, Debbi Abrami
Costume Crew .....Frances Herzer, Doris Schroeder
Technical Crew .....Mike Rensmaag
Graphics & Program .....Sandi McDonald
Photographer .....Sandy McKellar
audience reviews
Vital Spark Theatre’s production of By Some Divine Mistake, is very good...
director Joan Bryans does a fabulous job
Captures the imagination, because it is both titillating and true.
Vanessa Parent is one of those gifted actresses who delivers her most powerful performances [in] the subtler moments in their character’s life, and Parent does this in spades... British actress Kerry Constable is a powerhouse… Albino Carreiro as the policeman … is simply fabulous...
Brilliant production - loved it!
A pleasure to see - many thanks!
Excellent production
Wonderful production. I was captivated by Alma's very real and tragic storyr and was mesmerized by the stunniing performances. Great job!
[quotes taken from our front of house comments book - there were many more!]