Bon Mots Productions Presents THREE QUEENS at the Hamilton Fringe Festival Mini Series
July 18-27th 2024
A Talk Show Like No Other...
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Its All True
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Bon Mots Productions is proud to present its production of Three Queens; a late night talk show like you’ve never seen. Chuckles and laughs with some reflection, and “I didn’t know that”, at the 2024 Hamilton Fringe Festival Fringe Mini Series! Funky talk show host, Rupert Wells will introduce you to some amazing guests. How did they get here? Are we in the past, present or future? With playwright Valeri Kay, you never can be quite sure. From the opening upbeat theme music, courtesy of renowned Hamilton musician Charly Chiarelli, to the final curtain call, you will be amazed at what Rupert’s guests reveal and get up to. And one of the cast is actually related to one of the guests. But is he actually a cast member? Come join us for 20 minutes of fun and a bit of a history lesson laced with humour, thanks to our talented cast who can’t wait to share their antics with you and make you part of the action.
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Bon Mots Productions is a group of seasoned Hamilton performers. We came together this year to share some fun with our audience and reveal some things maybe you probably didn’t know about some very interesting characters. This is a cast of accomplished actors. This is Valeri”s fourth play for the Hamilton Fringe Festival, having written WHY, which won Best in Series Mini Bar in 2023, Prairie Odyssey and Der Zug, previously. This year she is sitting in the director’s chair, well not actually doing too much sitting with all the action.
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Three Queens at the 2024 Hamilton Fringe Festival Fringe Mini Series
Written by Valeri Kay & Tim Fanstone
Directed by Valeri Kay
Theme Music by Charly Chiarelli
Featuring: J. Shand, Alison Chisholm, Lynne Atkinson, Patti Cannon, and Tim Fanstone
Stage managed by Tim Fanstone
Costumes: Helen Davie
PATSY’S (behind Architect Hair Design) – w/c accessible 324 James Street North, Hamilton ON
Thursday July 18 – 6:15 pm
Friday July 19 – 7:00 pm
Saturday July 20 – 8:30 pm
Thursday July 25 - 7:45 pm
Friday July 26 – 6:15 pm
Saturday July 27 – 7:00 pm
Tickets: $7:00 with one time $4:00 purchase of Fringe Benefits Button
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For advance online tickets: www.hftco.ca
Approximately 20 minutes
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Knowing Your History is FUN
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The Team
J. Shand: Rupert Wells Host of "Know Your History"
This is J.'s second role with Bon Mots Productions. He did an amazing performance as American soldier John Bennett in Bon Mots' production of "WHY" for the 2023 Hamilton Fringe Festival, which won Best in Series Mini Bar. He has performed locally at venues across the Hamilton area as an entertainer for nearly 20 years. When not performing he operates an agency called i.AM.Media, providing marketing services to businesses. J. Shand is mostly recognized by his radio persona “Mr. Jay”, co-host and DJ of the weekly radio show I.R.S. (International Reggae & Soca) with DJ Verse One on CFMU 93.3. He has been involved in music and entertainment either as a performer or as a booking agent and talent manager. J. is looking forward to his role as funky talk show host, Rupert Wells, in this year's production of Three Queens.
Patti Cannon: Guest No. 3 on "Know Your History"
Patti has been with Bon Mots Productions in three productions, this production making it her fourth. She was wonderful as the little sister in "Der Zug", (HFF 2016), amazing as a believable 13 year old in "Prairie Odyssey" (HFF 2021) an efficient, competent stage manager in Bon Mots' 2023 production for The Hamilton Fringe, of "WHY", which won Best in Series Mini Bar. This time she is playing one of Rupert Well's guests on the talk show "Know Your History" in this year's production of "Three Queens". Patti is a Fringe Veteran, with many Fringe Festival experiences, sometimes as an actor, sometimes, a director and sometimes a stage manager. She feels The Fringe experience is one of a kind.
Lynne Atkinson: Guest No. 2 on "Know Your History"
This is Lynne's second performance with Bon Mots Productions. Her stunning performance as Emma and the Mysterious Woman is remembered in the 2023 Bon Mots Production for the Hamilton Fringe Festival of "WHY", which won Best in Series Mini Bar. Lynne has been involved in local theatre for over 25 years and is thrilled to be back at the Hamilton Fringe Festival with this talented group of people in this year's production of "Three Queens". Recent projects include: singing Soprano in Puccini's Messa Di Gloria (Chorus Hamilton), Seussical The Musical (HTI), WHY? (Bon Mots Productions), Handy Dandy (The Player's Guild), Strangers Among Us (Theatre Burlington) and Marta in Waiting for the Parade (Theatre Burlington), where she received the Vic Hyde Memorial Award for Best Supporting Actress. Lynne lives in Hamilton with her partner, Fern, and their three pets. She is looking forward as her role as one of the guests on Rupert Wells' funky talk show, "Know Your History".
Tim Fanstone: C0-Writer, Co-Producer, Stage Manager x2 , Photographer, Web Design
This is Tim's second time with Bon Mots Productions, testing the waters through The Hamilton Fringe Festival. Last year he was all round helpmate to playwright and producer Valeri Kay's production of "WHY". This year he is taking on more defined roles as co-producer, stage manager with a little bit of acting in this year's production of "Three Queens" Tim obtained his post- graduate degree from UCL, London, UK in Architecture and has run his own Architecture practice for over 40 years. His interests also include photography and web design.
Charly Chiarelli: Theme Composer and Musician
This is Charly's third time out with Bon Mots Productions, giving a wonderful performance of the father and Musician in "Prairie Odyssey", as well as being music director. (HFF 2021) He was the music director for "WHY" (HFF 2023), as well as playing various soldiers. This year Charly has provided the Theme song for the show "Know Your History"in this year's production of "Three Queens". Charly is a celebrated international award-winning artist – a writer of plays, books, music & lyrics, librettos, poems, and screenplays. He is a virtuoso harmonica player, vocalist, storyteller, and actor. His hit movie in which he has four roles has won nine international awards, including two Best Film Awards and two Best Actor Awards. To view the film: roadtothelemongrove.com. For more bio info visit: charlychiarelli.com
Alison Chisholm: Guest No. 1 on "Know Your History"
This is Alison's fourth venture with Bon Mots Productions. She directed "Der Zug", (HFF 2016), performed multiple roles to great acclaim in "Prairie Odyssey", (HFF 2021), directed "WHY", which won Best in Series Mini Bar (HFF 2023) She is part of this core group who has performed, directed and produced for the Hamilton Fringe Festival and various local theatres over time and who remain a viable force in the theatre scene. Alison, also a playwright, directed Her first original play, “A Certain Slant of Light” which premiered at the Pearl Company and her one-woman monologue, “Love, Loss and the Shit in Between", for Mind Play at The Staircase. Alison is looking forward to her role as one of funky Rupert Well's talk shows guests in this year's production of "Three Queens"
Valeri Kay: Playwright, Director, Co-Producer
As playwright, this is Valeri’s fourth play for the Hamilton Fringe Festival having previously written and performed in “Der Zug” (HFF 2015) and “Prairie Odyssey” (HFF 2021). She served as producer in her third play, "WHY" (HFF 2023) which won Best in Series Mini Bar. Valeri is thrilled to once again be part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival with her newest play, "Three Queens", in which she is serving as director/producer.. She feels most fortunate to be working with such great and talented people, on and off stage.Valeri has been in several Hamilton Fringe shows as both performer and director, and producer. The 2016 Hamilton Fringe Festival play she performed in, “Sunshine Steps”, for Unicorn Productions, won Best in Venue. She has had roles in independent films, most notably “Lunch”, which won Best Short Film award at the Hamilton Film Festival. Also, Valeri has performed in numerous independent theatre productions, most notably as a member of the Artword Theatre Ensemble. She is a graduate of the McMaster drama program, and proud ACTRA member.
Greg Neely Graphic Design
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Greg has been providing his graphic design talent to Bon Mots Productions since its inception in 2015. A graduate of York University’s visual communication design program in 1995, Greg has been working in branding and communication design for over 25 years, including being a partner in a firm for the 15 years. His work has encompassed a wide range of areas from independent to cultural and entertainment, specifically in the music industry, to large scale corporate and institutional projects here and across North America. Greg has designed posters for past shows including "WHY", winner of the Best in Series Mimi Bar (HFF 2023) Prairie Odyssey, Der Zug and Sunshine Steps. He currently manages upcoming Toronto band Magna Vita.
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Helen Davie Costumes
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This is Helen's first venture with Bon Mots Productions. Helen has worked with many theatre groups in the area, several musicals at Drury Lane and many shows at Village Theatre Waterdown, including Wizard of Oz, Pride and Prejudice and was Wardrobe Mistress for many years. She is proving very helpful with her vast costuming experience in putting together our somewhat different costuming requirements.
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