A

4,

relationships in the play. These roles were not written in the
original Cariani play but were created for this version due toa
lack of male performers in the theatre program. However, this
does not take away from the message the scenes are trying

to convey. The themes of love, loss, and a journey through

life are still as powerful and funny as they were when Cariani
originally wrote the play.

There had been some difficulty filming the play during
COVID-19, but McCarthy and the company found a unique
way around that by creating an all-new character. For some of
the more intimate moments, McCarthy encourages everyone
to “Look for Gary at the SuperCenter. He’s a bit of a surprise
character we made to help tell the story of the intimacy
and kissing parts that we could not tell.” That being said,
McCarthy did say that if she does do another play in the midst
of COVID-19, she will do one that maybe involves a little less
kissing and close contact.

Despite her feelings about doing a play this intimate
during COVID-19, Koebel was very complimentary of her
director, stating “She has made everything work. She has
made everything feel natural.” When it comes to the training
and performances with her fellow actors, Koebel said they
were always encouraged to follow their instincts. “We
worked a lot with impulses. [If] you feel the impulse to touch

ft § 22

As much as this
play is about
relationship love,
it is also about
the return of
a love for live
theatre shared
by Tamara
McCarthy and
Julie Koebel.

 

somebody, and you do it but you get stopped short [half]way,
just because there is that barrier does not mean that that
impulse is not fulfilled.”

As much as this play is about relationship love, it is
also about the return of a love for live theatre shared by
McCarthy and Koebel. Koebel was ecstatic about returning
to live theatre, saying it felt amazing to be preparing for a
live audience. McCarthy, who does plays around the Lower
Mainland while also teaching at Douglas, echoed Koebel’s
sentiments by saying how grateful she was to be back in
ants aal rhe

Love/Sick will be the first Douglas College play to be done
live with an in-person audience since November of 2019.

It will be playing at the Studio Theatre located on Douglas
College’s New West Campus from November 9-10, and 12-
13. There will also be Q&A's with the cast during the matinee
show on the 10, and the night show on the 13. Tickets can be
purchased at eventbite.com.

McCarthy, Koebel, and the rest of the cast are so very
excited to welcome audiences back for some laughs and
fun after a long time away from the stage. Come by the
SuperCenter to see love grow and blossom through the 8
short plays of Love/Sick.

Illustration by Athena Little