"Birds and the Bees" a fast-paced, sexy romp on the Blyth Festival stage

The world premiere of playwright Mark Crawford's "The Birds and the Bees" is a fast-paced, sexy romp that opened on the Blyth Festival stage June 22 and continues through to Aug. 6.

It's also the 125th world premiere at Blyth, and the 200th production.

If you've ever tried having any discussion about the birds and the bees, as the parent or as the child, you'll understand this play completely.

Nora McLennan, in her Blyth debut, plays the part of Gail, a retired empty-nester who is quietly raising bees in solitude, when in walks her grown daughter, Sarah (Marion Day), who announces her marriage is over and can she stay with her mother for awhile?

As expected, the awkward dynamics between mother and daughter are hysterical, if at some points poignant.

Adding to the comedy, is John Dolan as Earl, the meddlesome next door neighbour - your typical good old boy who wants to lend a hand, and perhaps more, to the lonely beekeeper.

And finally, the energetic, athletic, young grad student, Ben (Christopher Allen, also in his debut at Blyth), who has come to study the declining bee population, and gets more than he bargains for from siren Sarah.

The show is as raunchy and racy, as it is realistic and full of human foibles.

Credit goes to director Ann Hodges for managing to keep the action contained on the set which has been beautifully designed by Gillian Gallow.

And praise to all four actors who manage to keep the show on-track while they hop from bed to bed, and in and out of their clothes.

It's worth the price of admission just to see how it's all going to end.

"The Birds and the Bees" runs now until Aug. 6 at the Blyth Festival. For ticket information call 1-877-862-5984 or visit blythfestival.com