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Having the Time of their Lives

Robson Hall alumni, students, trade robes for costumes in annual Lawyers Play

April 12, 2019 — 

Mamma Mia, how do they do it? Right after exams and right about when they begin articling, three busy law students will be taking part in the 2019 Lawyers Play. Casted entirely of members of the Manitoba Bar Association (from judges to lawyers to law students) the annual play is one of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s largest fundraisers, that has occurred every year since 1990 and has since raised over $1,090,000 for the RMTC.

This year’s production of the ABBA hit-filled musical romantic-comedy, Mamma Mia! takes place May 7 to 11 in the Tom Hendry Warehouse theatre. Theatre-goers will witness a cast that includes such Robson Hall Alumni as Gail Asper [LLB/1984], Melissa Hazelton [LLB/2010], Jim McLandress [LLB/88], Jeff Palamar [LLB/1988] and Evan Roitenberg [LLB/1991] among other distinguished members of the Manitoba legal profession. Current Robson Hall students include Caleigh Glawson, Melanie Labossiere, and Anastasiia Movchan.

Robson Hall will be hosting the Friday evening reception of the run. “We are delighted to take some small part in this very important event because not only does it mean encouraging support for this good cause, but it also brings our alumni from all generations together,” said Dr. Jonathan Black-Branch, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. “Beyond networking, when members of our profession join together use their talents for such a cause, and share such great experiences together, it really works well to build relationships and grow our community for the better. We are very proud of our students and alumni and wish them luck with their performances.”

Third-year law student Caleigh Glawson brings her background in performing arts to the table, appearing in her second Lawyers Play this year, having acted in Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecutionlast year. With a diploma in Musical Theatre from Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Glawson found the Lawyers Play to be a “perfect opportunity to combine these two worlds.”

“The experience is always amazing,” Glawson said. “I am blown away by how many talented members of the legal community and judiciary there are and it is wonderful to meet them in a different context.  There are also many individuals I likely would not have met but for this experience. On top of this, we get to work with amazing professionals in the industry who really take these productions to the next level. I am so grateful that I have been cast these past two years and I hope everyone enjoys the show!”

But where did she find the time as a busy law student – on the verge of graduating – to take part in such an endeavour? “Because I love performing, making time for rehearsals, learning lines, music, and reviewing choreography never feels like work to me!” Glawson said. “Everyone has their outlets, and being part of this show is definitely one of mine.”

Upon graduating, Glawson will be articling at Brodsky and Company, and hopes to practice criminal law. “Fun fact,” she added, “the plan is for me to start articling the same week of the show. Should be an interesting week!”

Tickets for the Lawyers Play are available now from RMTC.

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