Entertaining Elgin
By Dave Ferguson
The threat of a storm popping up can be a common occurrence, especially during a warm summer. But “Storm Warning”, presently announced on signs parading around the lakeside community of Port Stanley is also a reality that comes to life till September 8th on stage at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
“Storm Warning”, written by Norm Foster and directed by Simon Joynes, delivers a blockbuster performance - a powerfully poignant, yet humorous, love story, marvellously acted on a great set. There's a lot to like here.
By Dave Ferguson
The threat of a storm popping up can be a common occurrence, especially during a warm summer. But “Storm Warning”, presently announced on signs parading around the lakeside community of Port Stanley is also a reality that comes to life till September 8th on stage at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
“Storm Warning”, written by Norm Foster and directed by Simon Joynes, delivers a blockbuster performance - a powerfully poignant, yet humorous, love story, marvellously acted on a great set. There's a lot to like here.
Set in 1953, tossed aside war veteran Jack Forrester (played by Phi Bulani) spends his time in a lonely and tranquil setting, Pigeon Lake Hidden Cabins during the off season. Sitting by the lake writing a letter, Jack’s peace is broken by a brash and liberated Emma Currey (played by Karen Parker), a talented big-city girl who writes charts for a popular band.
Emma has sought the refuge of these quiet surroundings at the advice of a drummer friend, in order to get some work done away from the distractions of the city. However escaping one area of diversions leads her into the laid back life of Jack.
Emma has sought the refuge of these quiet surroundings at the advice of a drummer friend, in order to get some work done away from the distractions of the city. However escaping one area of diversions leads her into the laid back life of Jack.
Caught off guard by the intrigue and mystery of Jack, Emma attempts to peel back the layers to get to the very core of his being in an effort to satisfy her own curiosity. What unfolds in the process is Emma discovering her own deepest dark secrets as well.
Canadian playwright Norm Foster is master of the romantic comedy, and “Storm Warning” may be one of his finest. Foster plays to the baby boomer audience with subtlety dropped '50s pop culture references to Marilyn Munroe, Miles Davis, and there's even "the pill" foreshadowed. Captured, too, are the social mores of the day with the strong, liberated front that Emma puts up and Jack’s expression of newfound, awakening emotions.
And even though some serious subjects are bandied back and forth between the two characters, Foster's quick-witted, often sarcastic humour is always hugely present in the fast-paced dialogue. Profound and yet funny - this is exactly what Foster does best, and he has accomplished it superbly in Storm Warning.
Aside from the meticulously written script, this performance is fuelled by the on stage chemistry between not only the two characters of Emma and Jack but the actors Karen Parker and Phi Bulani. The timing and delivery of their lines is spot on and believable.
The acting is the best I’ve seen on this stage and is supported by well thought out set design by Eric Bunnell and flawless direction by Simon Joynes.
Aside from the meticulously written script, this performance is fuelled by the on stage chemistry between not only the two characters of Emma and Jack but the actors Karen Parker and Phi Bulani. The timing and delivery of their lines is spot on and believable.
The acting is the best I’ve seen on this stage and is supported by well thought out set design by Eric Bunnell and flawless direction by Simon Joynes.
Once again Simon Joynes has chosen another hit with “Storm Warning”, to close off another superb season, worthy of every penny and then some.
Check out the website www.portstanleytheatre.ca for showtimes.
Photos by Relish Elgin.
Check out the website www.portstanleytheatre.ca for showtimes.
Photos by Relish Elgin.