"Entertaining Elgin" Review & Photos by Dave Ferguson
Loretta (Elisabeth Lagerlof) & Lee (Dwayne Adams) 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.
Loretta (Elisabeth Lagerlof) and Mary (Rachel Jones) The play opens with brothers Owen (Andrew Musselman) and Lee (Dwayne Adams) arriving at a cottage for a weekend of relaxation.
It quickly becomes obvious that the younger aloof Owen embraces the trip as an opportunity to fish, as they once did years ago with their now deceased father. The older and more responsible and mature Lee, meanwhile, views it as a chance to talk. He is dealing with mortality issues of his own and is agitated his younger brother refuses to discuss or acknowledge his life-threatening illness.
Lee at first seems annoyed with the arrival of locals Mary (Rachel Jones) and Loretta (Elisabeth Lagerlof), who very early on catches his brother’s eye. Yet he slowly warms to the visitors and the soul searching discussions they help initiate.
It quickly becomes obvious that the younger aloof Owen embraces the trip as an opportunity to fish, as they once did years ago with their now deceased father. The older and more responsible and mature Lee, meanwhile, views it as a chance to talk. He is dealing with mortality issues of his own and is agitated his younger brother refuses to discuss or acknowledge his life-threatening illness.
Lee at first seems annoyed with the arrival of locals Mary (Rachel Jones) and Loretta (Elisabeth Lagerlof), who very early on catches his brother’s eye. Yet he slowly warms to the visitors and the soul searching discussions they help initiate.
Loretta, Owen (Andrew Musselman) & Mary Moreover, the women help to reaffirm - for Lee and Owen as well as the audience - one inalienable truth: the only thing that truly matters in life is personal relationships with others, whether they be short lived or lifelong. It’s a very basic premise, but one that’s too commonly forgotten.
The superb acting and facial expressions are delivered spot on by the entire cast for this production that takes place in a cottage setting. Simon Joynes as Director does a dynamic job with all performances on the PSTF stage and The Melville Boys is no exception. All of these actors are highly regarded and put forth believable and memorable performances worthy of many a standing ovation.
The superb acting and facial expressions are delivered spot on by the entire cast for this production that takes place in a cottage setting. Simon Joynes as Director does a dynamic job with all performances on the PSTF stage and The Melville Boys is no exception. All of these actors are highly regarded and put forth believable and memorable performances worthy of many a standing ovation.
Mary (Rachel Jones) & Lee Melville (Dwayne Adams) Those seeking a few laughs and a good time won’t be disappointed or turned off by the big picture being presented. The Melville Boys will also keep audiences in stitches, tears and joy throughout the entire performance.
The set design by Josh Quinlan, costumes by Alex Amini and lighting design by Travis Hatt are all great complements to the production. But again, as is the case with almost every Foster play, much of the credit for the success of The Melville Boys rests with its creator.
Foster says the play is so “unrefined” because he “knew nothing” about play writing technique in 1983.
“I wrote from instinct and honest emotion and nothing else,” he says.
And that is exactly what makes the play so appealing and successful almost 30 years after it was written.
Through lighthearted and heart wrenching scenes the passionately written script has the audience emotionally invested in the characters and story from the outset. Certainly a must see on your summer theatre list.
The Melville Boys runs at Port Stanley Festival Theatre until July 5th.
For more information, visit www.portstanleytheatre.ca.
The set design by Josh Quinlan, costumes by Alex Amini and lighting design by Travis Hatt are all great complements to the production. But again, as is the case with almost every Foster play, much of the credit for the success of The Melville Boys rests with its creator.
Foster says the play is so “unrefined” because he “knew nothing” about play writing technique in 1983.
“I wrote from instinct and honest emotion and nothing else,” he says.
And that is exactly what makes the play so appealing and successful almost 30 years after it was written.
Through lighthearted and heart wrenching scenes the passionately written script has the audience emotionally invested in the characters and story from the outset. Certainly a must see on your summer theatre list.
The Melville Boys runs at Port Stanley Festival Theatre until July 5th.
For more information, visit www.portstanleytheatre.ca.
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