Latvian director sets a trap
by Emily Wilkinson
The psychological thriller that brought success to hitherto unknown playwright Robert Thomas opens with the Lakeshore Players April 25, under the direction of veteran of the stage Robert Verniks.
Set in the French Alps, Trap for a Lonely Man is the story of Daniel Corban, a man who has lost his wife and who seems in danger of losing his mind. The play’s tension is heightened when Corban is visited by a young priest, who claims to have found his runaway wife. This fact is called into question, only raising more questions and adding to the mystery of Madam Corban’s disappearance – a story threaded with deception, corruption, and the suspense of an imminent inheritance. Indeed, the play is considered one of the greatest in “whodunit” literature.
Helming the production is the Latvian-born Robert Verniks, a director who got his start at the Latvian State Theatre School and won a scholarship to the Moscow Art Theatre’s Third Studio. Between 1945 and 1951, he acted and directed in various West German theatres and has since performed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and has directed in England and the US. Verniks also teaches acting at Concordia University’s Continuing Education Department and is actively involved with the Lakeshore Players acting workshops.
Trap for a Lonely Man runs April 25 – 28 and May 2 – 5 at 1335 Lakeshore Dr. in Dorval. Shows are at 8 pm and admission is $12-$22. Info: (514) 631-8718.

Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout
Q ART Theatre takes acclaimed native playwright Tomson Highway’s latest work off the reserve, casting Allophone actresses in the roles of this ‘hilarious tragedy’ and making a statement about the physical and psychological displacement new Canadians experience.
Showing April 20 to 29 at the Cazalet Theatre, Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout depicts a day in the life of four women of the Shuswap, Okanagan and Couteau tribes.  It is a day of the arrival of Sir Wilfred Laurier, the “Great Big Kahoona” of Canada, and the women are preparing a banquet. Everything must be perfect: the Saskatoon pies, the stuffed beaver, the white muslin tableclothes and Ernestine’s trout. It is a difficult task, for fences and signs are erected in the traditional berry-picking territory and there is no more fishing in the river. In the course of one day, these women move through a world in transition.
“We always examine human relation ships within the framework of history. And so does Higheway,” says  Hungarian director Gabor Zsigovics. “It’s how we were raised. It’s in the blood. Out of this personal stake or awareness emerges a very particular artistic expression we are so happy to discover in a Canadian author’s work.”
“The language spoken by the women in this play, it must be stressed, is not English, “Highway says. Four Allophone actresses with their original accents will accomodate this idea of the author.
Performances are Friday, April 20 to Sunday, April 29, Wednesday to Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.
The play is at the Cazalet Studio, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W.. Tickets are $15. Seniors, students, and the unemployed: $10. Info: (514) 482-7132.

A Giraffe in Paris in Montreal
Geordie Productions’ new play for children is historically relevant and sure to please seniors and children.
A Giraffe in Paris by Mark Haroun, is directed by Geordie’s Founding Artistic Director, Elsa Bolam.
Based on true events of the early 19th century, the play recounts the  adventure of a young Egyptian Prince as he struggles to deliver a giraffe named Zarafa to the king of France. Along their journey from Egypt to Paris, the pair encounters obstacles, wild beasts and countless wonders. This  tale will surely stretch your imagination.
A Giraffe in Paris is on April 27 to May 6 at the D.B. Clark Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve W. In addition to Weekend Family Performances, Geordie also offers weekday school matinées.
Tickets: $12.50 children, $15 adults. Info: (514) 845-981or www.geordie.ca