Trying to run an efficient Mobile Army Surgical Hospital - better known as M*A*S*H - can be quite a challenge, just ask the two Kelly Road secondary school drama classes tackling the play Wednesday until Saturday.
There's 30 kids in two classes and drama teacher Audrey Rowell said she's created M*A*S*H fanatics who are now hooked on the television show.
The play by Tim Kelly is an adaptation of the original movie that's a bit different from the TV show but still sees Hotlips, Hawk Eye, his buddy Duke [known as Trapper John in the TV series] and Frank Burns up to their same old antics while Colonel Blake tries to instill some kind of control.
"This is the most intensive play we have ever done," said drama teacher Audrey Rowell. "This is play number ten for me and it's the biggest production we've taken on."
There are some surprises in the cast of characters, added Rowell.
"As you may know there were more men in the Korean war than women and there's more girls in drama classes than boys, so you'll see girls taking on the men's roles in this play," said Rowell.
The play is an adaptation of MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors written by Richard Hooker. It was based on his own experiences as a surgeon at the 8055th MASH during the Korean War. The novel was originally published in 1968 and was followed by several sequels.
Taylor Callander, Grade 12 student, is Hawk Eye, and he's been in drama at Kelly Road since Grade 9.
"I've always been kind of out there and loud and I needed an extra course and had been in speech arts when I was younger so I took it in Grade 9," Callander said. "I really liked it so I took it every year."
This could be a bit of type casting as Callander is very outgoing like Hawk Eye.
"The role definitely suits me," he said. Callander's grandmother and grandfather and parents used to watch M*A*S*H on television and he just didn't get the appeal until he read the script.
"I just didn't get the sarcasm and how pompous Hawk Eye was," he said. "I didn't get how funny he was or the underlying messages until I read the play."
Every night Callander goes home and watches M*A*S*H before he goes on about his evening business.
"I kind of use the show as an acting coach to get some ideas on how to approach the character," said the teen actor. "I observe the relationships between Hawk Eye and his buddy Duke and the other characters. I've never done a study like that before."
Callander said he really appreciates all the effort his teacher has made.
"Mrs. Rowell dedicates her life to the play at the end of each year and none of it would even be possible if she didn't show as much dedication as she does," said Callander.
M*A*S*H is presented at Kelly Road secondary in the gymnasium at 7 p.m., doors at 6:30. Tickets are available at the school. Adults are $10, students and seniors $5, and children are $2.
