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Political satire by Chilliwack Players Guild about ‘a leader who looks like an idiot’

‘Political or apolitical, you’ll find humour in it,’ says director Graham Archer about The Outsider
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From left: Andy Rolleman plays Dave Riley, Barbara Blom is Louise Peakes, and Raymond Hatton plays Arthur Vance in the Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

“People vote for idiots who look like leaders. But Ned Newley is a new phenomenon, a leader… who looks like an idiot.”

Those are the words written at the top of the poster for The Outsider, an upcoming production by the Chilliwack Players Guild.

The local theatre group presents the political satire by playwright ​Paul Slade Smith from Nov. 17 to Nov. 27 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

“Our play selection committee read the script and it took us probably an hour longer than it was supposed to. We had to keep stopping because we were laughing so hard,” said director Graham Archer. “It was just that funny.”

Andy Rolleman plays Dave Riley in the Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Andy Rolleman plays Dave Riley in the Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

The play takes place in the present time in an unnamed state in the U.S. where a man named Ned Newley becomes governor because the previous one was involved in a sex scandal.

“The guy who is becoming governor is completely unsuited to politics. He’s shy, doesn’t like to talk to people, doesn’t like people around… but he’s brilliant,” Archer said.

Newley has a terrible swearing-in ceremony that is broadcast on a local TV channel and it goes viral.

“Hilarity ensues from there,” he said. “It’s one of those things that whether you’re political or apolitical, you’ll find humour in it.

“It’s something you’d hope doesn’t really happen in real life but you can almost see it happening.”

Raymond Hatton (left) is Arthur Vance and Andy Rolleman plays Dave Riley in the Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Raymond Hatton (left) is Arthur Vance and Andy Rolleman plays Dave Riley in the Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Ned Newley is played by Brad Whittaker. He’s one of seven cast members in the play. The others are:

Paige Caldwell played by Jacqui Higginbottom

Dave Riley played by Andy Rolleman

Louise Peakes played by Barbara Blom

Arthur Vance played by Raymond Hatton

Rachel Parsons played by Kelly Shackleford

A.C. Petersen played by Alex Rohani

Synopsis:

In the midst of a political scandal, Ned Newley, the ultimate policy wonk, is unexpectedly thrust into the position of governor. Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He has no political instincts, a paralyzing fear of public speaking, and his poll numbers are impressively bad. Newley might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate ever to run for office. Politics is a visual medium. People vote for idiots who look like leaders. But Ned Newley is a new phenomenon: a leader… who looks like an idiot. In politics, the less you know, the higher you’ll go! At once a razor-sharp comedy and a sincere tribute to democracy, The Outsider is a timely and hilarious take on modern politics.

The Chilliwack Players Guild’s production of The Outsider runs Nov. 17 to Nov. 27 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Show times are: Nov. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and matinees are on Nov. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).

The Chilliwack Players Guild is a theatre group made up of volunteer actors and other members. All money goes towards putting on their productions.

Looking for more events taking place in and around Chilliwack? Check out What’s happening Chilliwack in our community section.


 

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Jenna Hauck

About the Author: Jenna Hauck

I started my career at The Chilliwack Progress in 2000 as a photojournalist.
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