I used to go to a lot of summer theatre in my earlier days covering the arts, going as far as the Red Barn Theatre up at Jackson's Point or down to the Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover. It's always a very casual setting with minimal sets and costumes, but the entertainment is almost always fun and entertaining.
I thought this summer, since I was trying to do more fun things as I start to feel a little more normal now, I should try a summer theatre outing again and have some fun. So yesterday, spur-of-the-moment, I booked a ticket to the afternoon matinee performance of the Lighthouse Festival Theatre's current offering in Port Colborne, Mark Crawford's Bed & Breakfast.
The old Showboat Festival Theatre was taken over a few seasons back by Lighthouse, which now uses both Port Dover & Port Colborne locations to showcase their annual summer theatre lineup. While one show plays in Port Dover, the previous show moves on to Port Colborne. It's a clever way to get more mileage out of a production and reach a larger audience.
The current show in Port Colborne closes tomorrow, so you only have performances this evening and again tomorrow afternoon to choose from, but the show is well worth your time should you choose to do as I did and act spur-of-the-moment.
Playwright Mark Crawford has crafted a fine & funny play about opening a Bed & Breakfast in a small Ontario town, and the many, many obstacles facing those that do. It's not as easy as it looks, and I can tell you from years of B&B stays the burnout rate for owner/operators is high. The average lifespan of your average B&B is apparently 7 years, although some close sooner and some go much longer. It all depends on the owner/operator really.
In addition to the usual trials and tribulations associated with a B&B, in the case of this particular play the two owners inherited the house from a late aunt and as they are gay men living in Toronto, it is more than a little bit of a culture shift for them. And for the town they land in.
That said, the play deals with the many troubles the two face with wit, compassion and a very forthright outlook on how society deals with those who choose a so-called "alternative lifestyle."
The two men in question are Brett, played by Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski, and Drew, played by Warren Macaulay. They can't afford to get into the real-estate market in Toronto but when the house literally falls into Brett's lap when his Aunt Margaret passes away, leaving the house to him, they explore their options together. At first they want to sell quick, but then decide on renovations and open a B&B they run themselves.
How difficult can it be? Don't ask...
Unexpected delays, contractor problems and then...well, they soon realize not everyone in the community is as understanding and open-minded as the two men thought. Coming home from a birthday party one night in November, they find the Christmas lights torn down and cut, and the wreath they fashioned for the front door destroyed. In its place a very ugly term is painted on the door.
A little heavy for summer theatre but the two actors handle the situation with such skill they easily win over the audience at the performance I attended, and go on to open a successful business, even if they hit some more unexpected bumps in the road.
There are a myriad of characters in the play but only two actors, and although sets and costumes are at an absolute minimum, each actor performs each role with great precision and move at lightning speed at times. I found myself in the second act trying to keep up with all the character changes they are so quick!
The play is directed by Stewart Arnott and the set is simply yet effectively designed by William Chesney. Both provide a perfect vehicle for these two talented actors to work in, and they each grow into their respective roles as the play moves along at a brisk pace.
There's plenty of coarse language in the play but most in the audience yesterday didn't seem to mind. I did see a couple leave at intermission, so I am not sure if it was the language or the subject matter they were not happy with, but it's their loss.
Bed & Breakfast is an absolute winner for Lighthouse Festival Theatre and you should catch one of the final two performances tonight or tomorrow afternoon if you can. I give the show a strong three out of four stars.
The theatre is located on Fielden Avenue in the Roselawn Arts Centre complex, and there is plenty of nearby parking.
For tickets call or visit the box office at 905-834-0833 or go online for Lighthouse Festival Theatre.
Have a great weekend!
July 29th, 2023.
No comments:
Post a Comment