Anyone who has heard the line, “Always listen to your mother!” or any of its variations (and that would be just about anybody) is likely to appreciate the humour of “Old Wives’ Tales”. This tribute to mothers and daughters portrays the interactions of one mother and daughter in vignettes spread out over several years and moving though a far-ranging gamut of emotions. |
Photos by Mark Girdauskas
Towards the end of the first act, it appears that Mr. Fluck may lose his job, and the children are back for more than a brief visit. Hilda glumly notes, “They took a giant pin and pricked our happiness balloon.” It appears that things couldn’t get any worse. But they can and do – rapidly – as Gary’s ‘bookie’ and ‘bimbo’ make their own entrances over the back fence, Bobbi with a good-natured and boisterous greeting to Hilda, “Are you the mom?!”
Neville's Island is a Marvel of Human Ingenuity Neville Island is a marvel of human ingenuity, taking hundreds of person-hours to construct. Those persons are pretty darned proud of their work, as they should be. They have accomplished the feat of turning the simple stage of the Princess Ave playhouse into an island of adventure. "Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs" a Delightful Pre-Christmas Outing at the Princess Ave Playhouse12/15/2014
Entertaining Elgin - Article & Photos by Dave Ferguson A series of unfortunate events is a sure-fire set-up for interesting twists and comedic collisions. The goal is to invoke tears brought on by tummy aching laughter from the believability of the situations being acted on the stage. Stag and Doe by first time playwright Mark Crawford eloquently paints a calamity of errors that create the well woven and humorous twists and turns. New Comedy from an Exciting New Playwright Sure to be a Fun Finale to 2014 Port Theatre Season8/18/2014
“Stag and Doe” is a “laugh filled romp through the perils of prenuptial shenanigans”. It will cap off the varied and well-received summer 2014 line-up of plays at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Theatre Manager Melissa Kempf acknowledges “tremendous support from our Season Subscribers as well as single ticket holders across London-Middlesex and Elgin County. It is encouraging to see the overwhelming response for musicals and newly scripted plays in addition to our traditional comedies and drama.” Entertaining Elgin - Article & Photos by Dave Fersuson If laughing out loud until your stomach hurts and you cannot breathe were a crime, then the majority of the audience at Port Stanley’s Festival Theatre would be guilty as charged. The fourth production on the PSFT stage for the 2014 season, The Fixer Upper, written by Lorne Elliot, is a meticulously crafted hilarious comedy set in Prince Edward Island. The entire laugh-riot of a play is propelled throughout the performance by a series of seven phone calls. "Entertaining Elgin" Article & Photos by Dave Ferguson “Bingo Ladies” whisks us through the doors of the Bingo Barn and plops us into a sociological microcosm where popping bingo balls are merely a backdrop. This is a story of three ladies. Irene (played by Mary Pitt) represents the woman who always wins despite struggling with her physical ailments. Sandi (performed by Laura Caswell), a young woman obsessed with finding a man, appears to know the names of everyone who attends the Friday night Bingo. Carol (Lisa Horner in this role) is the superstitious type, her table covered with trolls, including her favorite, Thor. "Entertaining Elgin" Review & Photos by Dave Ferguson Norm Foster’s The Melville Boys grabs us by the heart and works on our emotions in this dark yet funny mosaic of life itself. The audience is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride during the course of the play. Mrs. Parliament finds herself at a cross-road when her husband of 32 years forgets their anniversary in the final performance of Aylmer Community Theatre’s 2013/14 season. It is a simple enough theme, but so well carried out in this play that the drama grabs and holds the audience through moments of happiness, sadness and, often, downright hilarity. Played by Barbara Warnock, Mrs. Parliament has a charming curiosity and need to be engaged with life that is clearly being smothered. She is ready to hear what others have to say from early in the show when the colourful greengrocer, Mr. Marx, played with gusto by Peter Leack, says, “Let’s talk …” A myriad of characters, acted by four men and three women, appear in multiple vignettes. With a breath-taking array of personalities and mini-set changes, this Norm Foster play holds together amazingly well, carrying the audience along with Mrs. Parliament on her journey of self-discovery. There are many truly memorable encounters. |
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