February 19 to March 8, 2026
Meet the Cast and Crew of
”THE DATING GAME”
by Peter Quilter
directed by Eileen Butts
A “currently single” comedy about finding second love. Richard and Julia are a long-married, but now recently-divorced couple. Seeking new mates through a series of blind dates, they explore and experience the positives and the pitfalls, the perils and the pleasures of searching for new partners in the 21st century. A captivating contemporary comedy about a romantic rendezvous gone ridiculously awry.
Many thanks to our sponsor
JON FARIS
Richard
Jon is excited to finally be working with the lovely ECHO Players folks after two previous visits to their stage while ‘playing for other teams’; once, last year, in Nanaimo Theatre Group’s The Woman in Black and once, (ahem) some time ago, in Courtenay Little Theatre’s Hedda Gabler. It’s been great working, as part of the home team, with Eileen and the wonderful ensemble cast and crew of The Dating Game.
COLLEEN JANSSEN HOOD
Julia
Colleen made her ECHO debut as Kate in Sylvia in 2022 and has since loved returning to the Village Theatre and other Island stages on a regular basis, including The Children (ECHO), Oliver and Shrek the Musical (QBSD) and The Untold Story of Imogen Flight (Western Edge Theatre). Before moving to the Island, she performed for decades in theatre, musicals, dance, hosting, and commercial work across Western Canada. It’s been an absolute joy—and a hilarious twist worthy of The Dating Game—to reunite onstage with not one but two former “husbands” from past ECHO productions. She is especially honoured to work under the guidance of longtime ECHO legends Eileen, Linda, David, Lesley and Alistair. As a behind-the-scenes ECHO volunteer in marketing, governance and the Artistic Direction Committee, she knows it truly takes a Village Theatre to raise a curtain. Huge applause to every volunteer who makes the magic happen. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!
IAN MORTON
David
My dating history? Don’t ask. That torn shirt I wore on my first date with Catherine was a fashion statement, pure & simple! Much more juicy to discuss beloved parts I have played here in The Secret Garden, Chicago, The Children and The Play That Goes Wrong. Plus directing A Grand Time in the Rapids was heaven. This one’s for you, my patient sweetheart.
ANNE JINKS
Kathy
Anne is having a wonderful time working with the talented director, cast, crew and production team. She is grateful to Eileen for the opportunity to play Kathy. The Dating Game is Anne’s ninth production with ECHO Players; she last appeared as Polly in Treasure Island (2024). Thank you to Roger and family for your love and encouragement. Enjoy the show!
KEVIN DEAN
Kevin
So happy to be doing my third outing with ECHO Players. I've always loved doing a comedy of any kind and this one will be so much fun. I recently lost my older brother Garry, far too young. He and his wife have always supported me in my Sobriety and my on-stage adventures. I dedicate my performance to his infectious laugh and smile.
ANNE COOK
Francis
Anne Cooke [she/her] is delighted to be back with ECHO Players after first appearing in their production of Kinky Boots. This time, she's trading high heels for hilarity as one of the dates in The Dating Game. Anne is grateful to share the stage with such a talented and welcoming cast and crew, and thanks the audience for supporting live community theatre.
CALVIN TYNDALL
Nigel
Following his warmly received performance in The Melville Boys, Calvin returns to the stage as Nigel in The Dating Game and is grateful to work with this cast and crew. Other recent credits include Cheshire Cats and Treasure Island.
NICK SQUIRE
Bill
Nick is thrilled to be involved in his second production here with ECHO Players, it is so enjoyable to be involved; this is a very funny play, with a lot of great people who put it all together - thanks for having me.
VANESSA JONES
Helen
Vanessa is happy to be back at the Village Theatre and is thrilled to be working with its amazing team. You may recognize her from her onstage/offstage role in The Play that Goes Wrong (ECHO, 2023) and, with the Nanaimo Theatre Group, countless roles on and off stage. She hopes you enjoy the show!
BRAD McFADDEN
Tim
Brad is thrilled to be making his first appearance with ECHO Players after a long hiatus from the theatre world. It seems a lifetime ago since he got his BFA from UBC, and he is grateful to the wonderful cast and crew of The Dating Game who have helped him step back onto the stage.
DAWNA SILVER
Lizzie
I’m an actor who enjoys long walks on stage, emotional chaos, and roles that let me laugh, cry, or die in dramatic ways. Past relationships include playing jailed protester Lori in Going Avocado, betrayed and doomed Myra in Deathtrap, and Hillary, proud leader of a bedazzled, bra-swinging cancer-fighting team in Cheshire Cats. Thank you Eileen Butts, Lesley and Alistair McVey for swiping right. Laugh, sing, dance...repeat
EILEEN BUTTS
Director
Eileen has been a member of ECHO Players since 1976 (The Wizard of Oz). In those five decades, she has acted, produced, held Board and Committee positions, and worked all manner of backstage jobs. Previous directorial credits include The Dining Room (2006), Blitzen (2011), Be My Baby (2014) as well as numerous other shows. Eileen extends boundless gratitude to the ultra-dedicated production team, and endless thanks to the uber-talented cast.
LESLEY & ALISTAIR McVEY
Producers
ANN CARNEY, LINDA ATTLEY & HOLLY TILLOTSON
Stage Managers
AMANDA SAPIEHA (MISSING LEWIS VERMEULEN & DICK McCLELLAN)
Lighting Design and Operators
DAVID ATTLEY & HILARY WHELTON (MISSING FIN LYNCH)
Sound Design and Operators
KELLY PITT, HELEN LLOYD & CHRISTINE FREEMAN
Properties
SUSAN MEDHURST
Set Decor
MONTANA BERNARD
Make-up and Hair
WAYNE KEHLER & DON PUNTER (MISSING: LEWIS VERMEULEN, MIKE ANDREWS, RICK LARDNER, WERNER KOCH, GARY RIDOUT & MICK BANKS)
Set Builders
ROXY KEHLER, MELANIE REEVE, KAREN DONALD, JEANNE ACKLES-CARDINAL & CAROLYN PARIS
Set Painters
HELEN HILL-TOUT (MISSING MARIAN BUECHERT)
Costumes