Music and Theatre Current projects: Maureen Chaume is the writer and producer of Making Necrophiliac - A Musical Comedy. She teams up with composer Guy Del Villano to create a heartwarming tale with a twist, and a lively score of blues, boogie, cabaret, and offbeat comedy. When she and Guy decided to write Making Necro, Maureen used a collection of tunes she had written between 2001 and 2007, in various stages of completion, and created a story around them. It was a challenge she enjoyed. The songs dictated characters such as SlowSlide Sam, the Cat (He's the Cat!); Desiree Devine, the Diva (Make Me Happy); and Beauregard Blake, the Actor (Bad Actor Blues). The show tune Necrophiliac, with its foot-stompin' piano soundtrack and campy edge humor, becomes the pivotal element in the comedy as characters meet, fall in love, reveal their secrets and face their delusions. Read the story synopsis HERE. As the scriptwriting progressed, more songs emerged. Desiree's Song - a beautiful love song - was written especially for the production. After the premiere run of Making Necro (Ottawa Oct 2007), Maureen and Guy added the Overture and The Grand Imperial Boogie. The show became a full-length musical. Making Necro has had four runs and a dozen performances in Ottawa. In 2008, Maureen received a nomination as Playwright of the Year. See video versions of some of the songs HERE. Chaos erupts! Jim Murchison as Beauregard Blake, the Actor. The cat in the hat is SlowSlide Sam (Laszlo Szijarto). Photo: Suzanne Boulanger Photography. More Photos Making Necro is currently in the studio. Maureen says, "It's all about the music!" She credits partner Guy Del Villano with the show's dynamic flow. She says, "Guy's talent as composer and musician moves the show along from the opening notes to a rousing finale. Our audience leaves feeling happy!" Maureen's many past theatre productions include the dark comedy Earthly Delights (Ottawa Fringe Festival 2001); an edgy western comedy, The Ballad of Bad Boy Adam (Ottawa 2002); and Wheel of Torture (a game show in Purgatory - Ottawa and Montreal 2003). She has also produced over thirty comedy shorts and cabaret events.

Top of Page Other Songwriting Apart from the Making Necro collection, Maureen often writes songs with a country flair! Not surprising, since she grew up in the country. Tunes such as "Goin' to the Country", "Lonely Tonight" and "Home" are in the finishing stages and will be online whenever. Lyrics to "Home" are HERE. She also writes comedy such as "The Bard Would Not Shut Up", a lyrical bawdy poem set to music. It's based on a true story, and the real-life bard fortunately has a great sense of humor. This poem won first prize at Kaleidescope Gathering a couple of years ago. LYRICS	....
Video Maureen's style as a videographer is influenced by early art films, German expressionism and vaudeville comedy. She likes odd perspectives, visual impact and moving camera work. Among other projects, Maureen recently wrote and produced the music video Bad Actor Blues, based on the song of the same name from the Making Necro soundtrack. See the free online music video HERE. Bad Actor Blues stars Jim Murchison, who plays the Actor in the stage version of Making Necro, and features Guy Del Villano and Laszlo Szijarto as the Bad Actor Blues Band. Maureen usually has two or three video projects on the go. She makes music documentation videos, and enjoys working with bands and musicians. See video of Ottawa blues/swing band Rocket Rached and the Fat City 8 on YouTube HERE. Characters Top of Page
While Maureen usually prefers to lurk in the background, work behind the scenes and leave the spotlight to the actors, she will occasionally appear on stage or in front of the camera. Above, a few character shots - the Coffee Hag, Rusty the Bartender, and the Diva - from various projects past and present. More Visual Arts Top of Page The "Organics" series of tree women, created in Banff, Alberta. 8x10 signed prints are available for $25 each plus shipping. The original pen drawings are not for sale. Click on the images to enlarge. Enjoy! Organics # 1 Organics # 2 Organics # 3 art artist prints original paintings Select Organics #1 Signed Print Organics #2 Signed Print Organics #3 Signed Print Organics #4 Signed Print Organics #5 Signed Print Organics #6 Signed Print Organics # 4 Organics # 5 Organics # 6 Select Organics #1 Signed Print Organics #2 Signed Print Organics #3 Signed Print Organics #4 Signed Print Organics #5 Signed Print Organics #6 Signed Print Use of Images: The images on this web page are free for one-time non-commercial use by individuals only. If you use or post any of these images, please credit the artist. You can also make a donation. Companies, organizations, and/or inquiries about commercial use of the images, email lovethatpurr@yahoo.ca. Top of Page