And now for something completely different …
No wait, that’s a Monty Python thing.
But for something completely different from Canmore’s Pine Tree Players, enthusiasts will want to take in the community theatre company’s Mending Fences, by Canadian playwright Norm Foster at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall.
Directed by Jon Bjorgum, Mending Fences runs Nov. 11 (pay what you can), 13 and 14 with doors at 7 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. A matinee at 2 p.m. will be held on Nov. 15 and the performance wraps up with evening shows, Nov. 18-21.
New for Mending Fences is a stage in the centre of the Miners’ Hall, with seating on each side, and a live music offering from Doon Wilkins’ and his three-piece band Something Fishy.
Foster, often dubbed Canada’s most prolific playwright, set Mending Fences in Saskatchewan, where Harry Sullivan hasn’t seen his son Drew in 13 years, and now Drew is coming to Harry’s ranch for a visit. The poignant comedy tells the story of two men who are too stubborn to give in to feelings of the heart.
“It’s a sophisticated script and a really good comedy,” said Bjorgum. “It sometimes uses black humour and introduces a look at serious personal issues like alcoholism, abandonment, infidelity and lack of communication.
“Like everything we see on TV and in the movies, this play too deals with relationships. We’ve worked hard to make the characters real and they are people you should know, even recognize.
“You’ve had to deal with some of these people and situations; although perhaps it wasn’t quite this funny when you were involved.”
Mending Fences, produced by Louise Shore, follows Harry and Drew over several years, and they are played by different actors, depending on what stage of life they are in a given scene.
Gerry McAuley and Grant Hilts play Harry at 60 and 45, respectively, while Jeremy White and Brenan Campbell play a young Harry and Drew. Hugh Notman plays Harry’s dad, Kristen Slagorsky plays his mom and Craig Lindsay plays Drew at age 29.
Love interests are played by Marty Avery as Gin and Jessica Campbell as Lori.
Some of the themes and language may be unsuitable for young children.
Set in rural Saskatchewan, Mending Fences explores living in isolation, lack of communication within a family, alcoholism, rifts between father and son, a marriage breakup and the difficulties of reuniting.
“It’s an alley presentation, where the players and the audience are very close to each other,” said Bjorgum. “I’ve heard it described as ‘theatre in the round’, on two sides. Often, the actors are not facing the whole audience – or the person they are speaking to – just like at home.
“It’s truly community theatre with the involvement of people from all parts of the community – we have a cook, a musician, a counsellor, property manager, HR consultant, real estate agent, accountant, handyman, student, motivational speaker and others.”
For his part, Wilkins has penned some original songs for the production. He and his band will open each production, while Wilkins’ also performs during.
“It’s been a remarkable experience to have been honoured with the task of writing the music for Mending Fences,” he said. “The Mending Fences song project was pulled forward and anchored by a week-long musical retreat to a prairie farm where I tended sheep, fed chickens, looked after the farm dogs, avoided outside contact and essentially tried to soak up the sounds, sights and feel of the prairie.”
Wilkins’ songs include “Loose Ends,” “Have a Little Faith,” “Out Here On the Prairie,” “Train Whistle” and “Life Goes On.”
Tickets are $20 and available in Canmore at Café Books on Main Street, Cellar Door on Benchlands Trail or at the door.
