Portal Players Dramatic Society will present The Importance of Being Earnest as their entry in the North Island Zone Drama Festival in town in May. The News continues its feature on the actors behind the play with Chuck Shobe.
Retirement is usually a time when people look forward to slowing down the pace a bit, but not so for new Port Albernian Charles (Chuck) Shobe.
Shobe moved to town only three years ago, after retiring from full-time employment in Calgary. In that brief period he has already appeared in one successful Portal Players’ production (Nude with Violin), and will hit the stage again in May as Rev. Dr. Chausuble in the Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest. Having been involved in theatre in Alberta for some years, Shobe naturally brought that passion to Port Alberni.
“Now, as a senior living in a smaller centre, potential roles are increasingly rare,” Shobe says. “So when they come up, I am always interested.”
Although Shobe is officially retired, he and his wife, Christine, still continue to work as consultants to colleges, universities, and both public and private sector clients to develop online learning programs. Add to that Shobe’s love of golf, fishing, singing, and guitar, and it is amazing that he can find the time for Capitol Theatre at all.
But he does, and for his family, too.
With six children and 11 grandchildren between them, Christine and Shobe consider themselves two very lucky people. Most of Shobe family members are located in Edmonton, although one son and his clan are in Houston, and one daughter and her family are here, in Port Alberni.
“Aside from my family, I think that the things that excite me most in life are enjoying the great outdoors and confronting new or challenging situations,” Shobe says. “Especially when they give me the opportunity to help others.”
•••
The Importance of Being Earnest opens May 5 and runs through to May 21 at Port Alberni’s Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street. It is Portal Players’ entry in the North Island Zone Drama Festival that is being held at Capitol Theatre this year.
The Importance of Being Earnest competes in the festival on May 22. For tickets, please call the box office at: (250) 723-1195.