Thespian spouses excited to play in spoof of Hallmark Christmas movies
By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s that time of year when local thespians are rolling out the Christmas fare and the St. John’s Players is right in the centre of it with The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon running from December 4-6 at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s.
Among the cast this year is a wife and husband tandem from CBS, Brenda Hynes and Matt Christian. Both are also members of Theatre CBS.
Hynes also works in television and film as an actor, background performer, and stand-in. She has had roles in Saint-Pierre and Son of a Critch, and has worked on Hudson & Rex. She is a full member of ACTRA.
Christian began acting a few years ago when Theatre CBS did a radio play of A Christmas Carol. “Matt is really good with voices,” said Hynes. “In my opinion, he’s good enough to be a voice actor.”
The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon is a comedy parodying the many made-for-television Christmas romance movies that air on channels such as Hallmark. The movies are known for having plots, settings, and character archetypes that are often repeated within the genre.
“I think the thing that we’re going to have the most difficulty with is making it through the show and the rehearsals without laughing at each other because it’s funny,” said Hynes.
The play features an ensemble cast, with various pairs of characters going through their own storylines.
“I feel like ensemble shows are even more enjoyable for audiences,” Hynes said, explaining the actors know each other and have great camaraderie. “I think that shows, and it comes across to the audience.”
Hynes is playing Noelle, a Christmas-lover who runs a shop where she sells her bespoke Christmas ornaments year-round. Christian plays Kris, son of the late Santa Claus. In the play, Noelle tries to convince a reluctant Kris to take on his father’s role.
“It’s awesome to be able to do it with him,” said Hynes. “It’s just fun, because there’s nowhere else where you can have that kind of experience with your spouse to do that kind of thing together.”
Their 12-year-old daughter, Camille, will also have a brief role in the play.
Hynes is confident the show will sell out. She says Christmas productions by both St. John’s Players and Theatre CBS tend to be very successful.
“People love going to see a Christmas show. It just gets them in the spirit,” she said. “Anytime you can spend an hour or two and have some laughs, that’s just good for your soul.”
Tickets are $25 for the unemployed, $30 for seniors and students, and $35 for general admission.