@chemainustheatrefestival.ca
CHEMAINUS – To the naked eye, Naked Radio welcomed patrons to an evening of feel-good singing and light-hearted mirth at Chemainus Theatre.
A nostalgic look back at the “good old days” of small-town radio, looking back at what was and forward to what could be again – and should be? The “naked truth” about the downside of technology and costs, and how the good-old-neighborly, down-home community radio has been pushed aside?
Or was there something more, a double entendre that would catch opening night visitors by surprise? Was it thinking too deep to expect a double entendre on a play titled Naked Radio, which was designed to entertain and had the opening night crowd at Chemainus Theatre laughing and applauding repeatedly? Not in the first half.
The stage was set in a severe winter snowstorm somewhere in the Cowichan Valley, isolating everyone, including the employees of the town’s small radio station, WHLO. It had to strike a chord to the many who were cut off from their regular world during the Covid Pandemic of the past few years.
The trio of actors/singers did not disappoint, and they were excellent.
Michael Clarke did an outstanding portrayal of Bart Dunwood, the raised-in-the-business manager of radio station WHLO, aka “Well Hello”, whose job it was to mentor able and eager newcomer Kaden Forsberg as Mike Young, the new recruit who arrives with visions of splendor to display his school-earned skills with fervor and vigor. Naomi Costain played Bart’s love interest Maggie Wheeling and host of other characters with enthusiasm and aplomb.
Bart tempers Mike’s enthusiasm somewhat as he shares the realities of contemporary radio: Pre-programming from afar, sprinkled with a smattering of ads from local companies between sets. It isn’t what Mike thought he signed up for, in the least.
A severe winter storm and power outage pushes Bart and Mike back to the roots of radio, as they’re faced with filling time during the storm with a collection of phone-in, talk, book reading, locally-sculpted singing ads, and an all-night rendering of Dr. Who. It’s what radio used to be, and as everyone self-discovered during their forced hibernation – could be, and perhaps should be, again.
There were no less than 24 musical numbers, including impromptu advertisements for fictional local companies and ditties titled “Tradin’ Time”, and “Killing Time”, which delighted the audience and had them laughing along.
After the intermission, Mike and Bart discovered an old box of wine and, after slaking their thirst, vented a song called “Bare Naked”, which was a hint of things to come shortly.
Thus the other “Naked Radio” appeared, literally, complete with a Chippendale’s/Full Monty in boxers interlude, featuring middle-aged jiggles that revealed no shortage of self-esteem.
Regardless, Naked Radio is what Chemainus Theatre has consistently provided over the years: A night of good wholesome entertainment from talented actors and musicians, and very much worth the price of admission.
Business Examiner Staff
