August 23, 2024
By Donna McMillan
“Lakefront”, a new play by Canada’s iconic and prolific playwright Norm Foster had its world premier on the Lighthouse Festival Theatre stage in Port Dover last week, receiving a standing ovation from its’ opening night crowd.
Foster, who has written more than 70 plays and been the most produced playwright in Canada every year for the past twenty years, averages 150 productions on stage annually, according to Playwrights Canada Press. A favourite playwright with Port Dover audiences, “Lakefront” tells the rom/com story of Christina, 68, and Robert,70, meeting at the third wedding party of her sister Norah just the week before. Having a bit much to drink and feeling lonely and insecure about their sex appeal to the opposite sex, the couple make a madcap decision to rent a lakefront cottage the following weekend and test the intimacy waters. So, what could go wrong?
Pretending they are married, Robert books the one and only honeymoon cabin on a lake that has receded off into the distance thanks to climate change; not exactly the view the 20- year -old brochure depicted. And then, there is Duane, who is managing the property for his parents. He is the backwoods comic foil, sometimes scene stealer, who is happy to show the “shitter” in the cabin, interrupt the “newlyweds” at the most inconvenient of times, cite the noise ordinance when Christina’s orgasmic – like screeching was heard at neighbouring cabins and mooning over the “bride” as the couple attempt to enjoy a wild weekend.
Christina’s deceased husband suffered a debilitating stroke, requiring constant care for several years before he died. She is still dealing with her guilt over the resentment she felt over the years his care took away from her. Bob’s wife Tess has been “dead to him” for the past three years after she dumped their marriage of 30 years for a much younger man. In every play, Foster injects moral issues and matters that tug at the heart strings. Besides their troubled separate histories, the couple struggle with first kisses, a failure to rise to the occasion in the bedroom and more; needless to say, generating lots of laughs.
All three actors are stellar in their roles. Melodee Finlay, a LFT veteran, plays Christina superbly. Besides performing in eight past LFT productions, she has performed at many theatres across the country, in commercials and hosted “A Day in the Country” and “New Home Digest.” Ralph Small, another LFT veteran, performed the insecure, nervous Robert marvellously. Besides performing in five past LFT plays and directing one, he also has performed at numerous theatres throughout Ontario. Occasionally the dialogue in the play would drag a bit, but then Duane came knocking and generated more moments of hilarity. The audience burst out laughing every time Derek Ritschel as Duane barged into the scene. As the audience knows, he has been Artistic Director of the Lighthouse for the past 14 years, directed 31 main stage productions and performed in numerous LFT plays.
Set Designer Eric Bunnell created a wonderful cabin in the woods on stage. Kudos to the entire Creative Team: Kevin Fraser, Lighting Designer; Alex Amini, Costume Designer; Daniele Guillaume, Stage Manager; Sara Allison, Assistant Stage Manager.
During the standing ovation Thursday, Derek Ritschel was left (uncharastically) speechless when he was honoured for his 14 years as Artistic Director, the saving of two small theatres, the building of the rehearsal hall, the offering of 17 world premieres, the upgrading of technical theatrical infrastructure, introducing the holiday pantomime and more. He has put Lighthouse Festival and Port Dover on the theatre map. Derek will be assuming a role as Director in Residence. Jane Spence will assume the role of Artistic Director. On leaving the theatre, comments included “wonderful performance” and “delightful production.” “Lakefront” is on stage in Port Dover August 21 to September 7. For tickets, visit the box office at the corner of Main and Market, online at www.lighthousetheatre.com or call 519 – 583 – 2221.