Theatre guild's “The Photograph” is poignant, funny snapshot in time

The death of a loved one brings grief and lots of other emotions, especially when a huge family secret is revealed in the process.

That's the setting for the Kincardine Theatre Guild's production of “The Photograph,” a poignant, funny show that will have you laughing at one moment and crying the next. It opened Friday night at the Kincardine Arts Centre and received an enthusiastic standing ovation.

The play, by Joan Burrows, tells the story of Anne and Janine who, after their father's death, find a photograph of an unknown young woman in his suit jacket. Its discovery brings up years of resentment and unresolved differences as they argue over how to discuss it with their mother who has dementia.

Jaki Mayer-Duggan as the older sister, Annie, and Debbie Deckert as Janine, are tremendous, sparring back and forth with quick, snappy lines, and some amusing and emotional moments. They take centre stage for the majority of the play and their conversations range from joking about old pictures, to explosive anger about the skeleton in the family closet.

Angela Gibson is superb as their mother, Helen, struggling to remember where she is, who she is and who the people are around her.

Also taking the stage, in a flashback, are Alana Boucher as the spirited and fiery Agnes, the Irish lass whose life becomes entangled with Helen and her husband more than 50 years before; and Larissa Schausbreitner as a young Helen, newly arrived in the city, far from her home and family.

As Anne and Janine discover the truth, it rocks everything they ever knew about their parents and their family.

It's a magnificent play and it has a fabulous ending.

"The Photograph" continues Feb. 13-14, and 21 at 8 p.m.; and Feb. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at JB's Lingerie in downtown Kincardine (cash only) or on-line at kincardinetheatreguild.com.

The theatre offers a great venue, with cabaret seating, and drinks available at the bar.