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2002 United Way o! Oakville Campaign Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 5559) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: rjerred@haltonsearch.com ARM E OUR GOAL $ 3 .3 m ill io n United Way For more info: 845-5571 Teen tackles challenging role in Transit of Venus SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER By Liz Campbell study drama at university. Ultimately, she hopes to act, though she's willing to admit that this may be a difficult career It's her first role, but already Siobhan choice, open to only a few, so she may Da Silva is playing the female lead in have to be content with teaching drama. She has been happy until now simply The Oakville Players' production of to help with shows, working backstage Transit of Venus. Set in 18th-century France, the play in Tourist Trap last spring and as an by Manitoba playwright Maureen extra in Ring Round the Moon last Hunter focuses on Guillaume Le Gentil, November. But the chance to be in front of the audience is excit an astronomer who ing. leaves behind a "It's great being on teenage fiancee, stage," she says. "You Celeste, when he trav get to be someone else els to India to chart the and get into all kinds of transit of Venus. It's an emotions. And you can experiment that will make the audience help establish the pre laugh and cry, all within cise distance from the an hour." earth to the sun, and During the second the audience watches month of rehearsal, she as his single-minded admits to having had an quest runs afoul of attack of nerves. war, weather, circum "I realized how big stance and simple bad the role was," she says, luck. crediting her fellow The play also fol actor Mike Wierenga, lows the equally coura who plays her fiance, geous voyage of the Siobhan Da Silva with helping her to stay maturing Celeste from grounded. desolation to independence. "I didn't really anticipate the emo For Da Silva it's a challenging role. "I have to play significantly different char tional range I'd experience. This kind of acters in each act," she explains. "In the maturing role I play has been giving me first act, you have typical teenage angst. an eerie insight into some of the feelings In the second, I am 21 and his return and choices ahead of me over the next leaves me confused, on an emotional 10-15 years." Oakville audiences will hardly rec roller coaster. In the third act I'm 26 and ognize another cast member, or so she I finally have the life I always wanted." While she admits it was difficult get hopes. Recent Athena award winner ting into the character, she says it is the Judy Henderson is now relishing her directing of Larry Marin that has helped role as the skeptical, aging Madame shape her performance. Marin is Sylvie, whose no-nonsense comments intrigued by the play. Hunter is not try are a foil to the emotional swings of the tempestuous couple, snapping the audi ing to give us simply a history play. "This is really a story for 2002 which ence back to earth. Transit o f Venus runs at the Oakville takes place in an 18th century we might imagine," he suggests. "It's a story at Centre for Performing Arts Thursday the outset about one man's obsession through Saturday, November 14-16 and for his work and one woman's obses Wednesday to Saturday, November 2023. Tickets cost $17 with students and sion for a relationship." Da Silva is is a Grade 11 student at seniors for $8.50 on Wednesday, Holy Trinity High School in Oakville. November 20. For ticket information, Needless to say, her favourite subject is call the Oakville Centre Box Office at drama and she would like to go on to 905 815-2021. The Oakville Players and The Oakville Drama Series Oakville Beaver Siobhan Da Silva, who plays Celeste in Transit of Venus, credits fellow actor Mike Wierenga (pictured as Le Gentil) for helping her to stay grounded. The Grade 11 student at Holy Trinity High School says it is a challenge to "play signifi cantly different characters in each act." Peter C.McCusker · present 'V g s m jr eum The O akville Transit of Venus by Maureen Hunter at the Musical magic Dec. 1 The Merriam School of Music is hosting Spiced Cider and Chestnuts, a special concert of musical magic on Dec. 1. Under the direction of John Bamum, teachers from the Merriam School of Music will join Sinfonia Mississauga in a variety-filled prelude to the Christmas season. The performance of Spiced Cider and Chestnuts is at 2:30 p.m. in the Royal Bank Theatre, Living Arts Centre. Tickets cost $35 each and may be reserved by calling the Merriam School of Music at 905-829 2020, ext. 260 or by calling the Living Arts Centre Box Office at 905-615 4403. ANNUAL RBG AUXILIARY HOLIDAY SH O W A N D SALE · Shop for floral designs, decorations and holiday gifts · Be d a zzled by a spectacular flow er show · Bring the kids to the children's craft corner · See "how-to ' demonstrations to lighten up your home 'tis the season Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Thursday through Saturday, November 14-16 and Wednesday to Saturday, November 20-23 An 18th Century astronomer sails the globe to chart the stars. But fate propels him home towards his teenage bride. Now he must chart a new passage to the heavens or to the human heart. A love story with a modern edge. Tickets $17, Students & Seniors $8.50 W ed., Nov. 20 For tickets call Oakville Centre Box Office o a k ville · Enjoy live entertainment-- traditional choirs, a jazz group and more Friday, N o v e m b e r 15, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. S a tu rd a y, N o v e m b e r 16, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. S u n d a y, N o v e m b e r 17, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission: $2. FREE for RBG members and children under 12. $1 OFF A D M IS S IO N w ith this a d . For information, call 905-577-7771 905-815-2021 W fM k Unibed W a y t ( ) of Oakville G o ROYAL B O T A N IC A L GARDENS R B G Ce ntre , 6 8 0 P la in s R o a d W e s t o n the H a m ilto n /B u rlin g to n b o rd e r w w w .r b g .c a Test your who-dunnit skills at a mur der mystery event set for Nov. 23 at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Sundance Studios is presenting this theatrical production at Spruce Lane Farmhouse. There will be two perform ances -- 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person or $40 per couple. The price includes wine and cheese. Pre-registration is required, so call the Friends of Bronte Creek at 905827-6911, ext, 287. Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located one kilometre north of the QEW, on Burloak Drive. The Oakville Dual Gospel Singers present Glen and Lystra Hamilton in A Joyful Christmas Season Concert on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Walton Memorial United Church, 2489 Lakeshore Rd. W., at the comer of Bronte Road. Ticket prices cost $12 for adults and $6 for children (under 8 years old). For more information call 905-8421033. The concert takes place in Bronte Hall. Murder mystery at Bronte Creek Princess House Canada Warehouse Clearance Sale Friday, Nov. 15 · Saturday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 5pm The Oakville Beaver joins United Way of Oakville in §aluting Zenon Environmental for its outstanding United Way fund-raising campaign. Z en on E n v ir o n m e n ta l Christmas concert Beautiful line of fine gifts, crystalware, cookware, bakeware, decorating accessories and Christmas items. Exotic hand-made candles from Bali and much much more! 6535 Millcreek Drive, Unit #30 Mississauga (401 & Erin Mills Parkway) Limit o f 10 items per customer · Free gift for all buyers M IS S IS S A U G A R D * M IL L C R E E K 60%-85%OFF EVERYTHING Britannia Zenon Environmental is to be congratulated on its success. With canvassing in both its Burlington and Oakville locations, this is Zenon s second campaign for United Way. this inspiring campaign not only increased its total contribution 74% over last year, but surpassed its goal for this year as well! Congratulations Zenon Environmental! www.princesshousecanada.com Without y o u , there w ould be no way. I *