​Blyth Festival’s “Golden Anniversaries” is a comedy that strikes a deep chord

“The Golden Anniversaries” is hilarious – until it’s not.

Written by local playwright Mark Crawford, the play's world premiere opened on the weekend at the Blyth Festival Theatre, and like most of Crawford’s plays, it is a sure-fire hit.

The show tells the story of Sandy and Glen Golden who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at the same cottage they’ve been going to every anniversary since their wedding night there.

Only this time, Glen has romance in mind, but his wife wants nothing to do with it. She has cancelled their anniversary party and has kicked him to the curb.

Summoned by Glen and thinking there was an emergency, Sandy dashes onto the scene, only to find him holding a bottle of expensive wine and 50th wedding anniversary balloons.

From then on, it’s a fast-paced, witty sparring match between husband and wife, as he says one thing and she counters with another.

After she kicked him out with nothing, Glen had to go buy underwear at Walmart. Sandy counters with the fact that she kicked him out because he was driving her up the wall.

The show is brilliantly written and perfectly portrayed, with just enough flashbacks to help the audience understand how the Goldens got to this point, and where they’re headed. Or at least, you think you know.

As Sandy starts to stumble over a few memories, the audience begins to realize what’s actually going on here. And suddenly, she realizes it too. And with a collective gasp, the reality hits home.
 

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Jim Mezon (left) as Glen Golden, and Janet-Laine Green as his wife, Sandy, in a scene from Act 2 of "The Golden Anniversaries;" photos by Gemma James Smith
 

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“Hey, just because you can’t remember it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” jokes Glen. “Everything gets forgotten eventually.”

And fade to black.

My advice, have some tissues on hand.

Praise to Crawford for such a marvellous play about a difficult subject, and to director Miles Potter for staging it beautifully.

And congratulations to Janet-Laine Green and Jim Mezon, both making their debut at the Blyth Festival, for bringing this story to life and reeling the audience into the past and present.

“The Golden Anniversaries” continues July 12-14, 17-18 and Aug. 4 at 2 p.m.; and July 12 and 17 at 8 p.m., in the Memorial Hall at the Blyth Festival Theatre.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call the box office at 1-877-862-5984 or visit blythfestival.com. This is also the Blyth Festival’s 50th anniversary, so check on-line for special deals!



Janet-Laine Green (left) as Sandy Golden argues with her husband, Glen, played by Jim Mezon, in Act 1 of "The Golden Anniversaries," on now at the Blyth Festival Theatre