VISUAL STORY For the relaxed performance of Bed & Breakfast Monday, April 29, 2019, at 7:30 PM Granville Island Stage 1585 Johnston St ...
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VISUAL STORY
For the relaxed performance of Bed & Breakfast
Monday, April 29, 2019, at 7:30 PM
Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC)
Contents
What is a relaxed performance? ................................................................................................................... 2
What is a visual story? .................................................................................................................................. 2
What to expect at the theatre ...................................................................................................................... 3
How do I get my tickets? ............................................................................................................................... 3
How long does the play last? ........................................................................................................................ 3
Phones and electronic devices ...................................................................................................................... 3
Accessibility ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Age recommendation ................................................................................................................................... 4
About the theatre ......................................................................................................................................... 4
How to get to the Granville Island Stage ...................................................................................................... 5
Arriving at the theatre .................................................................................................................................. 6
In the lobby ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Inside the theatre.......................................................................................................................................... 9
The start of the show .................................................................................................................................... 9
Intermission ................................................................................................................................................ 10
After the show ............................................................................................................................................ 10
About the play – Bed & Breakfast ............................................................................................................... 11
What is the play about? .............................................................................................................................. 11
What to expect............................................................................................................................................ 11
Characters in the show ............................................................................................................................... 12
Glossary ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Full summary – Bed & Breakfast ................................................................................................................. 16
What is a relaxed performance?
Relaxed performances are designed to welcome people who will benefit from a
more casual audience environment, including (but not limited to) people with
sensory processing conditions, Autism, a learning or intellectual disability, or
parents with infants and toddlers. There is a more casual approach to noise and
movement within the theatre space, which can also be a good introductory
experience for people attending the theatre for the first time.
What is a visual story?
A visual story gives people that are attending an idea of what the experience at
the theatre will be like.
2
What to expect at the theatre
How do I get my tickets?
Print-at-home tickets will be delivered to your email and will call tickets are
available at the box office on the day of the performance. You can pick them up
as early as 4 PM when the box office opens.
How long does the play last?
The total time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. This play is performed in two parts
(each just over 1 hour long) with a 20-minute break in the middle called an
intermission. Since this is a live performance, the play may be longer or shorter
than the scheduled time.
Phones and electronic devices
Phones are welcome, but please do not take photos during the performance.
You welcome to bring in other devices, such as iPads or headphones.
Accessibility
Limited accessible seating is available inside the theatre.
There is a place to leave wheelchairs and walkers in the lobby. You can ask an
usher or volunteer for assistance.
Hearing Assist devices are available for your use during the performance.
Simply ask an usher.
Service dogs are always welcome.
The theatre is a scent-free zone; please arrive without cologne or perfume.
3
Age recommendation
The Arts Club recommends this show for people at least 14 years or older.
About the theatre
Bed & Breakfast is playing at the Granville Island Stage, located at 1585 Johnston
St, Vancouver, BC, which you can see on the map below.
Granville
Island Stage
EDIBLE
CANADA
Map of
Granville Island
4
How to get to the Granville Island Stage
By transit
Visit translink.ca for transit trip planning options. There will be Arts Club
volunteers wearing green badges underneath the Granville Island sign on
Anderson Street to help you find your way from the bus to the theatre.
Volunteers will
be here to help
guide you
Photo of the entrance to
Granville Island, on
Anderson Street
Parking
We recommend giving extra time to get to the theatre. Pay parking and free 3-
hour parking are available on Granville Island; after 7 PM, all parking is free.
There is a drop-off zone in front of the public market (20 minute stopping zone),
and there are accessible parking spots right by the theatre, in the parking garage
near Edible Canada, in the parking lot near the old Emily Carr building, and
around the Public Market and the Net Loft.
Visit artsclub.com/visit for more tips on parking.
5
Arriving at the theatre
The lobby to the theatre will open at 6 PM for the relaxed performance. You can
arrive between 6 and 7:15 PM.
Box office
window
Entrance to
the lobby
Photo of the theatre
entrance, next to the
Public Market
If you do not yet have your ticket, you can pick it up at the box office, located to
the right of the lobby doors. Volunteers will be waiting at the front of the theatre
to help guide you to the correct line.
If you printed your tickets at home or already have a ticket, you can go right to
the usher who will scan your ticket at the lobby door.
You will then enter the lobby. The lobby is the area where the audience waits
before going into the theatre to see the show.
6
In the lobby
The Granville Island Stage has a lower lobby and an upper lobby. When you first
enter, you arrive in the lower lobby. There are stairs to the left that lead to the
upper lobby, where you can enter the theatre from the back. Unfortunately, the
upper lobby is currently only accessible by stairs.
Photo of the theatre
entrance, next to the
Public Market
Doors to the
Backstage Lounge
and washrooms
Stairs to
the upper
lobby
A relaxation
station will
be here
Entrance to
the theatre
Photo of the
lower lobby
If you would like, you can order a drink or a snack from the bar. You are also
welcome to bring your own food into the theatre. There is a bar through the
doors at the back of the lower lobby, which is part of a restaurant called the
Backstage Lounge. There is also a bar up the stairs in the upper lobby.
7
Bar Entrance to
the theatre
A relaxation
station will
be here
Photo of the
upper lobby
All washrooms are located on the lower lobby in the Backstage Lounge. Both
washrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Doors at the back of the
lower lobby, which lead
to the Backstage Lounge
and washrooms
If you want a break from the show, you can come out to the relaxation stations
in the lower lobby and upper lobby. You can sit in a chair, walk around, and
8
watch the show from a video monitor. You are welcome to enter and leave the
theatre whenever you want.
If you need help, look for Arts Club staff and volunteers wearing green buttons.
Inside the theatre
Guests will be able to enter the theatre starting at 7 PM.
Theatre
entrance/exit
s
Theatre Photo of the seats
entrance/exit inside the theatre at the
s Granville Island Stage
The seats in the theatre are organized by row letters and seat numbers, which
are both on your ticket. Ushers near the doors will help you find your way. If you
need to leave the theatre, you can leave at any time and come back to your seat
at any time.
The start of the show
When the show is about to start, there will be a pre-show announcement from
the front of the theatre. This will prepare you for the start of the show.
9
Intermission
The intermission is a 20-minute pause half way through the show. This is a good
time to take a break and think about what you have seen so far. Or, you may
want to get a drink or a snack from the bars! The lobby lights will flash towards
the end of the intermission to alert guests in the lobby to return to their seats in
the house for the second act.
After the show
After the play ends, the actors will come back out and take a bow. If you would
like, you can clap for the actors.
Photo of Brett and
Drew in the play
10About the play – Bed & Breakfast
What is the play about?
Bed & Breakfast is about a gay couple: Brett and Drew. They are both about 30
years old and live together in an apartment in Toronto. Brett is an interior
designer and Drew works at a hotel. At the beginning of the play, Brett learns
that his aunt Maggie has passed away and he has inherited her house in a
small town. Brett and Drew decide to move there and turn the house into a bed
and breakfast. Once they arrive, they have to cope with the renovation of the
house. But, their big challenge is that they do not feel welcomed by all of the
community. Some people are very friendly and helpful, but others express
frustration with having two gay men in their small town. Later in the play, Brett
and Drew experience a hate-crime. Throughout the play, they question if they
can feel accepted and safe in the town, and if they can build their home there.
At the same time, they find themselves making friends with Cody and Dustin,
who are two teenage boys, and Alison and Carrie, who are two women who are
partners and are expecting a baby.
What to expect
There are many jokes throughout the play, so you can expect to hear other
people in the audience laugh. There are also some emotional moments, and you
may hear the audience react to these as well. For example, Brett and Drew
sometimes do not feel welcome in their new community and some residents do
not treat them kindly.
11One thing that makes this play unique is that two actors play ALL the characters.
In total, each actor plays about 11 characters throughout the show! How can
you tell which character the actor is playing? Through their body language, the
tone of their voice, and the lighting on stage.
Characters in the show
Mark Crawford
Playwright and actor
Mark plays the following characters in
Bed & Breakfast:
Brett – Brett is one of the two main characters in the play. His partner for the
past 8 years is Drew. He lives with Drew in an apartment in Toronto and they are
looking to buy a house. Brett is an interior designer.
Dustin – Dustin is a 16-year-old boy. He uses the word “like” a lot.
Alison – Alison owns a café. She is pregnant. Her partner is Chris.
Ray – Ray is a friend of Drew’s. He likes to use the word “Girl” as slang.
Lynda – Lynda is Brett’s mom, she is about 60 years old.
Steve – Steve is Brett’s older brother. He is about 40 years old.
Sylvia – Sylvia is about 70 years old. She has traditional right-wing opinions.
Little Girl – she is six years old
12Paul Dunn
Actor
Paul plays the following characters in
Bed & Breakfast:
Drew – Drew is one of the two main characters in the play. He is Brett’s partner.
He works in a hotel.
Cody – Cody is Brett’s nephew and he is 18 years old. When asked a question, he
often answers: “I dunno.”
Chris – Chris is about 40. She is married to Alison. She is Irish.
Carrie – Carrie is an old friend of Brett’s. She is very enthusiastic, uses many
hand gestures and says “Oh my god!” a lot. She is a real estate agent.
Martin – Martin is Brett’s dad, he is about 60 years old.
Doug – Doug is about 50 years old. He is a contractor. He is a bit tough.
Harold – Harold is a neighbour who is 80 years old.
Travis – Travis is a young man who has just married Alexa.
Alexa – Alexa is a young woman who has just married Travis.
Sharon – Sharon is about 50 years old. She is British. She is married to Chuck.
Chuck – Chuck about 50 years old. He is British. He is married to Sharon.
Reverend – a voice.
13Glossary
Backstage Lounge: a restaurant/bar that is accessible from the Granville Island
Stage lobby. You can buy drinks here before the show or during intermission.
Balcony: the upper area of seats in the theatre
Bed and breakfast: A place where people can pay to stay overnight and receive a
prepared breakfast in the morning.
Hate crime: any criminal offense against a person, group or property that is
motivated by hatred or prejudice towards an identifiable group.
Intermission: a 20-minute pause half way through the show
Lobby: the entrance area before you enter the theatre where the bar, washrooms,
and relaxation station are located
Prop: objects used in the play to help show the setting (for example, a chair or a
notebook or a table)
Relaxation station: an area of the lobby where you can sit at any time during the
show. You can also watch the play on a TV monitor in this area.
Orchestra: the lower area of seats in the theatre
Row: Row letters are located on the side of each row of seats.
Seat: Seat numbers are located on the seat, just below the cushion.
14Section: The area of the theatre where your seat is located. If you ticket says
Orch, that means you are seated in the Orchestra or main floor. Your ticket will
also tell you if you are on the right, centre, or left side of your section.
Set: an artificial setting for the scene of a play
Trigger warning: a statement warning the reader to the fact that the text they are
about to read contains potentially distressing material
Usher: an Arts Club employee who is there to help you find you seat in the
theatre and answer any of your questions.
Will call: When you choose “will call” for your tickets, that means you can pick
them up at the box office window before entering the lobby.
15Full summary – Bed & Breakfast
Read on for a more detailed summary of the play. Do not read if you prefer to be
surprised by the story. This summary includes trigger warnings of sensitive
content.
Brett and Drew wake up in the middle of the night in their apartment in Toronto.
(TRIGGER warning - death) Brett gets a call from his dad that tells him his aunt
Maggie died in a car accident. At the same time, Drew gets a call from his friend
Ray who says that the house they wanted to buy in Toronto is unavailable. A few
days later, Brett and Drew are at Aunt Maggie’s house, which is in a small town
outside of Toronto. Brett used to spend his summers there while visiting Aunt
Maggie, so he knows many people already. Brett and Drew begin to dress for the
funeral and read Maggie’s obituary in the paper. Drew gets a call from his boss
at the hotel where he works, who asks him to come back to work the next day.
Drew mentions that their names are not listed as a couple in the obituary. They
both attend Maggie’s funeral. During the funeral’s reception, Linda (Brett’s
mom) refrains from introducing Drew as Brett’s partner. We get to know Cody,
Brett’s nephew, who constantly says “I dunno” and eats sandwiches. Martin
(Brett’s father) tells Brett that Maggie left Brett the house. Brett meets Carrie, a
very enthusiastic real estate agent. (TRIGGER warning - death) Later, at the
16town’s gas station, Brett meets Doug. Doug shares that his wife died recently
from breast cancer.
Back in Toronto, Brett and Drew keep working their jobs. Ray, Drew’s friend,
talks to him on the phone after hearing they got Aunt Maggie’s house, and urges
him not to move.
Brett and Drew are back at Maggie’s house. While Brett and Drew are cleaning
up, they find a photo of Maggie in which she seems pregnant. Brett says it’s a
Halloween costume and that Maggie was briefly married and didn’t have kids.
During the next couple of days in town, Brett makes friends with Harold, the
elderly next-door neighbour, and his dog, Angus. Drew becomes friends with
Alison, a pregnant café owner. Carrie, the real estate agent, advises not to put
the house for sale and suggests that Brett and Drew move in and open a bed
and breakfast.
Brett and Drew are back at work in Toronto. They find out they didn’t get another
of the houses that they bid on, and that Drew did not get the promotion he had
hoped for. Drew decides to quit his job and the two agree to move in to
Maggie’s house and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Ray warns Drew that they
might not be welcomed in the small town because they are gay. Brett and Drew
tell the audience about their move to the town, as they get dressed.
Next, Brett and Drew are in Maggie’s house, where Doug and his construction
team starts renovating the house. Doug makes comments that makes Brett and
Drew feel like his mocking the fact they are gay. Brett refrains from kissing Drew
in front of the construction workers. Brett says they should avoid displaying
affection so the team will feel comfortable. Drew argues that they shouldn’t hide.
17(TRIGGER warning - homophobia) Brett warns Drew that this could be
dangerous because someone called him an offensive name while he was on the
street.
Brett and Drew visit Alison and Chris’s house. They meet Chris, Alison’s partner,
and learn that she is a woman. Alison and Chris share their experience of being a
lesbian couple in the small town. (TRIGGER warning - homophobia) Chris
shares that once, she was almost attacked in a pub.
Back at Maggie’s house, Dustin, Carrie’s son, asks if Brett and Drew can help
with the Santa Claus parade. They agree. A few days later. Alison, Brett, Drew,
Dustin, and Carrie meet to discuss the Santa Claus parade. They try to figure out
who will be Santa. Later that night, Brett and Drew light their Christmas lights.
Drew tears up and shares that he misses his family. (TRIGGER - homophobia)
He mentions that his parents haven’t been in touch with him for the past 13
years, because they do not accept the fact that he is gay. Later this week, Brett
gets a call on the home line, but there’s silence on the other end (a silent call).
(TRIGGER warning – homophobia, hate crime) The Christmas parade is a great
success, but Brett and Drew arrive home to discover that someone has sprayed
offensive graffiti on their house and ruined their Christmas lights. Brett is afraid
and wants to leave immediately, but the two end up staying home for the night.
Intermission
Early the next morning, Brett and Drew hear a noise and find Chris on the porch.
She came to help wash off the spray paint. Dustin brings them some cinnamon
rolls and tells his mom, Carrie, that he is gay. Harold, the neighbour, sends
18money to Brett and Drew in order to fix the Christmas lights and expresses his
support.
Brett and Drew go visit Brett’s family for Christmas in Oshawa. Brett’s mother
tries to persuade Drew that they should move back to Toronto. Cody asks Brett if
he could stay with them over the summer and work for them. Brett shows
Martin (his dad) Maggie’s photo from Halloween and asks if she was pregnant.
Martin reveals Maggie was pregnant and gave up the baby for adoption. Back
home, Drew gives Brett a gift—a dog collar (which his way of saying he is ready
to get a dog). Alison and Chris’s dog has puppies. The guys pick one to bring
home and name him Rick Mercer. Brett and Drew keep getting silent calls. Brett
asks Doug if he knows who the father of Maggie’s baby is. Doug tries to
convince him to leave it be. The B&B opens and guests are arriving: Chuck and
Sharon—a British couple, Alexa and Travis—a young newlywed couple, and
Sylvia—a conservative woman. (TRIGGER warning – sexual activity) Chuck
begins flirting with Brett, and drunk Alexa and Travis are making a lot of noise in
their room. Then, breakfast goes completely wrong. Chuck chokes on the
scones, Alexa and Travis keep having sex and making a lot of noise, and some
burnt bacon creates a small fire. Drew puts out the fire.
Brett and Drew visit Alison and Chris to see the new baby girl. They have named
her Ellen DeGeneres. There is a scene shift and Carrie tells Brett there is
someone who is interested in buying the house and is willing to pay a very high
price for it. Brett and Drew need to decide if they want to stay or leave. Cody
arrives to stay with Brett and Drew. Dustin visits and the two start hanging out.
Drew tells Brett that he’s nervous about the silent calls and thinks they should
19consider leaving. (TRIGGER warning – violence) Doug drops by with his car and
Brett notices he has a black eye. Doug says he was in a fight.
Brett’s parents visit the B&B. Ray visits as well. He encourages Drew to stay in
the small town. (TRIGGER warning – sexual activity) Later that night, Brett and
Drew find Cody and Dustin making out. They get another silent call. Doug tells
Brett that he is the father of Aunt Maggie’s baby, and that the baby is Brett. That
means Maggie was Brett’s mother and Doug is his father. Doug also reveals that
he got into a fight with the people who sprayed the offensive graffiti. Martin,
Brett’s dad, gives him a letter—it’s from Maggie, from 10 years ago, in which
she reveals she’s Brett’s mom. In the letter, she encourages Brett to live his life
with no shame.
It’s the end of the summer and Cody is leaving to go to college. He kisses
Dustin goodbye. Drew’s estranged father calls him. He says he got his
Christmas card so he knew where he was. Drew suspects his father was the one
making the silent calls. Brett and Drew decide to stay in the small town. Thanks
to the people around them, they finally feel at home. (TRIGGER warning – sexual
activity) Later that night, they get into bed and kiss.
20You can also read
