Alex Strachan, Vancouver Sun, March 26, 1998
Cancer research will get a boost from actors and producers of The X-Files, who will put on a benefit evening for fans of the series April 20 at Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre.
The event will feature appearances, speeches and question-and-answer sessions featuring series star Gillian Anderson, "Cancer Man" William B. Davis and R.W. Goodwin, the show's Vancouver-based executive producer.
Part-time X-Files actor and standup comedian Dean Haglund will host the event. The X-Files is the most high-profile series shot in the Lower Mainland.
All proceeds from the event are being donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The evening is being organized by Lucas Talent Inc. and is sponsored by The Vancouver Sun, telecommunications firm Nokia, radio station Classic Rock 101 and Global TV, the series' Canadian broadcaster.
Other X-Files actors slated to be on hand are Nicholas Lea, Mitch Pileggi, Chris Owens, Tom Braidwood, Bruce Harwood, Sheila Larken and Rebecca Toolan. Their appearance is tentative, as filming is scheduled for earlier that day and may run late.
Talent agent Richard Lucas -who counts Davis, Haglund and Braidwood among his stable of clients - said he has wanted to organize a charitable event ever since three of his close family relatives were diagnosed with cancer, all within several weeks of each other.
"I wanted to do something," Lucas said. "And since I have some contacts in the business - and especially since I work with Bill Davis, who supports the cancer society - it just seemed liked something wonderful that we might be able to pull off."
Lucas said he is gratified that X-Files officials, who are tied up in production until filming for the show's fifth season wraps April 29, have bent over backwards to accommodate the event. "It never could have happened without so much support."
Tickets ($25 plus service charges) will be sold through Ticketmaster, beginning 9:30 a.m. Friday.
