January 28, 2016
1409
Despite arts centre renovations and a broken shoulder, the show will go on.
That would be the Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "Willow Quartet" which opens Feb. 11, at 8 p.m., at the Kincardine Arts Centre.
The play tells the story of Kim and Ben whose marriage ends in the aftermath of a tragedy. Kim then finds herself back in her childhood home which she converts into a bed-and-breakfast. Her first boarder is Jim, a visiting musician, and it's not long before Kim becomes infatuated with him. With Jim at her side, Kim struggles to navigate her unresolved grief as her mother looks on with concern and comments.
The show features a cast of four veteran theatre guild actors: Shirley Bieman as Marjorie, Kim's mother; Bill Brown as Jim, the musician; Liz Small as Kim; and Fort Papalia as the ex-husband, Ben.
"It's been a challenge sharing the space with the workers who have been renovating the arts centre and installing the HVAC (heating and cooling) system during the day," says Bieman. "We had to do the set design and construction off-site, and then bring it in and put it on the stage."
She says the renovations will not be completed in time for opening night, but are set to continue through to the end of March. "The workers have been really accommodating, but it has been a challenge."
Director Jaki Mayer-Duggan agrees, saying it has been difficult to work around the upheaval, and having to build the set piecemeal in the old firehall.
On top of that, Bieman broke her shoulder and underwent surgery before Christmas.
"I wasn't even sure until after the New Year whether she would be able to continue," says Mayer-Duggan. "But, she is determined to go on, so we've made some adjustments and it's working well."
This is the smallest cast that Mayer-Duggan has ever directed. "With just four characters, there is a lot of conversation, not a lot of action. It's a serious drama, with some funny moments. With references to the beach and the music festival, it could have been written about Kincardine."
The theatre guild has invited playwright Joan Burrows of Richmond Hill, to come and see the show. She is hoping to work it into her schedule. A relatively new play, "Willow Quartet" was first workshopped in 2009. Burrows is a retired high school teacher of English and Dramatic Arts.
"Willow Quartet" runs Feb. 11-13 at 8 p.m. (with Feb. 13 being Gala Night); Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m.; and Feb. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 each, available at J'Adorn in downtown Kincardine.
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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