Bluewater Playhouse production of The Ladies Foursome questions whole basis of friendship

Just when you think you know somebody - and have known her for years - you play a game of golf the day after she dies, and everything changes.

That's the premise behind the Bluewater Summer Playhouse production of Norm Foster's "The Ladies Foursome," which opened Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

A brilliant and fast-paced comedy, it also focuses on some more poignant issues, particularly what it means to be friends.

The play opens with three women arriving on the golf course - the eccentric housewife Tate, the avid drinker Margot, and the flirting man-chaser Connie. They have been friends for years and just attended the wake of their golfing buddy, Catherine. the day before.

In honour of their recently-departed "fourth," they have decided to play a round of golf and are joined by Katherine's old friend, Dory.

But this show is more about surprising revelations than it is about who has the best swing.

Questions are asked of Dory and the answers don't sit well with the other three. References to "Cathy" who enjoyed solitude at Dory's isolated cabin in the backwoods of northern Canada just don't mesh with the recollections of the Catherine the others golfed with regularly for 14 years.

As the women make their way around the golf course, more topics surface with even more surprising revelations, all peppered with Foster's trademark wit and humour.

The acting is stellar, with Jane Spence as Dory, Leah Oster as Tate, Debra Hale as Connie, and Sharon Heldt as Margot.

The set is superb, and the ending will leave you in shock.

"The Ladies Foursome" continues Aug. 22 and 29 at 9 p.m., and Aug. 25-28 at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Aug. 26.

For tickets or more information, contact the Bluewater Summer Playhouse Box Office by calling 519-396-5722, or toll-free at 1-877-396-5722, or by E-mail at boxoffice@bluewatersummerplayhouse.com. Bluewater Playhouse is now on both Twitter and Facebook. Follow it at BluewaterSP on Twitter, or add it on Facebook at Bluewater Summer Playhouse.