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ABOUT US
The Vaudevillians were formed from the nucleus of a small group under the direction of Susie Francis, who after 5 years moved on to other endeavors. The group quickly grew into what we are today, an accomplished cast providing a fast paced family type of entertainment. All of the members are Seniors who have come together with the aim of bringing joy and laughter to all. Since 2003 the troupe has performed 20 times annually, entertaining thousands.
Under the direction of Artistic Director, Mr Gordon Long, we are starting rehearsals for our new show which will premiere on November 15, 2008 at the Surrey Arts Centre.
Contact us for information on upcoming shows or to book a performance.
entertainment@thevaudevillians.com
MISSION STATEMENT
The encouragement of youth to enjoy and become involved in the performing arts. To promote Vaudeville as an art form and offer audiences the highest quality through our performances. Entertaining, teaching and enjoyment is our paramount reason for being.
TESTIMONIALS
On behalf of all the residents, staff, families and volunteers on WP3,
thank you for your wonderful performance, great singing and of course
the humor. We all laughed cried (happy tears) and
reminisced while watching the show. Residents and families are still
talking about the performance - tap dancing, wonderful costumes and the "little green lady."
Thank you,
Lori Tribe, Recreation Therapist
"The fundraiser was an outstanding success, thanks to your incredible show. It takes a good group of people to put on a show, but it takes an experienced and devoted group of people to put on a Vaudeville show. We look forward to the pleasure of working with you all again soon."
Servants Anonymous Society, Surrey
I was very impressed with the performance of the Vaudevillians at the Aldergrove Legion in September. The show was energetic and uplifting. No matter what our age, we all like to be entertained and your group definitely displays a great deal of talent and enthusiasm with your performance. I encourage you to keep up the good work.
Randy White, Member of Parliament Langley-Abbotsford
The residents thoroughly enjoyed the Vaudevillians hilarious performance, and are still commenting on the quality, professionalism of the cast and crew, and the creative staging. A terrific experience had by all. We will definitely have your company back for another round.
CPAC Langley Gardens Retirement Residence
Great job! We had loads of fun. Can't wait til" next time. Cheers.
CPAC Crescent Gardens Retirement Residence
We are still laughing. It was a fun evening. The preservation of Vaudeville is a great idea and we loved it!
Minoru Seniors' Society
Marie Belway, Entertainment Co-ordinator
The entertainers were full of enthusiasm and energy.........We were delighted and somewhat surprised at the variety and quality of the costumes, and how appropriate the choice of attire was for each of the performances. A great fun filled evening, and we can't thank you enough.
Myrna Popove, Executive Director,
Douglas College Foundation
There's nothing like a good laugh to relieve the monotony of a dull winter's day. The elderly audience fortunate enough to attend the sold-out Vaudevillian Show certainly came alive with laugh after rollicking laugh, clapping their hands enthusiastically after each skit. The members of the White Rock Chapter of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada had another reason for clapping enthusiastically--the proceeds from the show were donated to the Chapter, a most generous gift for which we thank and applaud you.
Marguerite Knowles
Chair, Surrey White Rock Chapter
"I haven't heard many of these songs since my youth and tonight for 2 hours,
listening and watching your fine group, I felt young again"
unnamed gentleman from Bellingham, Wa.
who attended Nov. 18th performance
Laughter that brought tears to the eyes was evident on many faces...This is a very talented group of performers........We will be looking forward to the Vaudevillians next production.
Alice Reid, Douglas Br. Secretary, Foresters
They are fabulous, a talented group, I laughed until I split my sides laughing, the costumes were fabulous!
John Lusted
Kinsmen Retirement Centre
First of all, I'd like to THANK YOU ALL for the amazing bursary you presented at "Surrey Shines" this year. It was a big surprise, and I felt very honored and humbled by it. It will be most welcome in helping to pay for lessons and music equipment etc. and I can't say enough about how much it meant to me. You are all so incredibly generous in raising funds to help others out. It's refreshing and very touching to see, and to meet, such kind hearts in the world !!!
And ... I also want to Thank You All for including me in your awesome "Then and Now" show !!! You are not only amazing, gifted performers & entertainers, but you have such big caring hearts !!! It was really inspiring, and a lot of fun to work with you all, and I meant it when I said "You Rock!"
With Gratitude,
Joe Given
"Then and Now gave many youth the wonderful opportunity to be part of a unique blending of multi-generational talent that showcased over a century of musical theatre. Both backstage and onstage, Youth Council members and other young performers learned while they laughed.
The ongoing scholarship provided will also be a great contribution. Thank you to all involved!
K.C. Gilroy
Coordinator, Youth Arts Council of Surrey
The Vaudevillians
The Vaudevillians – self-described as "B.C.'s #1 seniors entertainment troupe" – performed on stage at the Surrey Arts Centre this weekend, to loudly appreciative houses. What exactly is the Society for the Preservation of Vaudeville up to? By their own account, the whole thing is simply a like-minded bunch of active seniors who enjoy singing and dancing. Don't believe it. This troupe is a practiced and disciplined ensemble, with more costume changes than most professional companies, and lots of theatrical savvy. Directed by Gordon Long, the group features just under two dozen entertainers.
The format mimics an old-time vaudeville docket: a generous assortment of short acts—comic turns, dance solos, small ensemble and choral singing—all kept moving by the repartee of James Trimble. It looks so easy you could be taken in for a moment by the effortless nonchalance of a classic George Burns and Gracie Allen sketch, the nostalgic charm of turn of the last century
favourites like Daisy, Daisy (updated with some surprisingly turn of this century language) , or a flat-out French Can Can by "Les Girls". (I'm not going to be churlish and give ages – though Les Girls themselves were prepared to reveal the information and a good deal more.)
There was lots of choral work, including numbers that begged for singalongs. As for Walking My Baby Back Home, updated to include a chorus line equipped with walkers—well, you just had to have been there.
Such a production is the proverbial iceberg: what you see on stage is only the tip, the momentary reflection of hours and hours of committed work. The Vaudevillians make it all look like the easiest thing in the world, but the production values, the well worked-out patter, and the sheer exhausting grind of all that preparation, speak of real commitment and a genuine love of old-time theatre.
Long may they prosper.
"David Gordon Duke often writes about musical events in the Vancouver area and is Dean of Language, Literature and Performing Arts at Douglas College."
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