Grab your briefcase, punch your time card and get ready for a corporate comedy that is everything but business as usual.
An anxious Newsman, a delusional jockey, a love-starved therapist and others get entangled in a ridiculous scenario as six seemingly unrelated plots merge into two hours of entertainment at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Norm Foster’s workplace romp Office Hours is on stage from June 14 to 30.
It’s a comic race toward quitting time as one of Canada’s favourite playwrights offers up a 9 to 5 comedy full of non-stop laughs, officials say.
It’s Friday afternoon in the big city, and in six offices an equal number of intertwined stories are unfolding. Watch the madness unravel as an ensemble of eccentric characters – all played by five versatile actors – get tangled up in a web of uproarious office shenanigans culminating in a hysterical final scene complete with a desperate man on a ledge, officials say.
“Office Hours is clever, funny and loaded with outrageous office scenarios that will have audiences laughing out loud and giving thanks that they don’t work in these offices,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
“Take a break from the daily grind and celebrate the start of summer with a few laughs.”
Veteran director and theatre administrator Max Reimer has the top job as director for this kooky comedy. He is joined by set designer Samantha Burson, costume designer Julia Holbert and lighting designer Lyle Franklin.
Officials say a terrific cast of versatile performers has been assembled for this over-the-top workplace comedy where each actor must play multiple characters.
Neil Foster returns to the Drayton stage having previously entertained audiences in Looking, Deathtrap and The Love List. Foster has been on stage with theatres across the country and has also appeared in films and TV series such as Murdoch Mysteries and Private Eyes.
Vancouver-based actress Meghan Gardiner makes her Drayton Entertainment debut. She has appeared in a wide variety of productions across the country including Gunmetal Blues, Beauty and the Beast, The Last Five Years and more.
After charming audiences in The Men’s Foursome last season, Jacob James will once again show off his quirky comedic timing in this production. In addition to seven seasons with the Stratford Festival, James has performed in theatres all across North America.
Kevin Kruchkywich, who previously appeared in Drayton Entertainment’s productions of Last Chance Romance and Look No Hans!, will also take on a variety of roles. Kruchkywich has worked as an actor and fight director in theatres all over the world.
Seasoned actress Lorna Wilson rounds out the cast. Wilson’s résumé includes shows such as Another Home Invasion and Bonjour La, Bonjour, as well as Boeing, Boeing and Corpse! for Drayton Entertainment.
Regular performance tickets are $46 for adults, $27 for youths under 20 years of age, and $36 for groups of 20 or more. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Office Hours runs from June 14 to 30. Tickets can be purchased in person at Drayton Festival Theatre, online at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling the box office at (519) 638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
