GUELPH – Guelph Little Theatre (GLT) was three weeks away from opening is production of Swordfish when the pandemic forced the theatre to close and remain closed.
Now, with the green light from the province and public health, the theatre company is ready to give it another go.
“It was hugely disappointing for everyone involved,” said playwright/director Tom Reidel. “It’s not just the actors, of course, there were the volunteers who built the set, the tech crew and all the people who had purchased tickets.”
GLT’s production is the world premiere of Swordfish.
The play is set in Hamilton, Ontario in 1965. A couple of young professionals leave their careers to open an antique shop, causing much parental dismay.
The local mob approaches the young shop keepers offering protection and a wacky series of events ensue. This is a dark comedy, loaded with laughs, organizers say.
One of the biggest challenges has been maintaining the cast. Reidel explained that half of the roles had to be recast.
“We have young actors who have studied theatre at university, and seasoned veterans who have taken small roles just because they want to be part of this project,” he said.
When asked where the concept for the play came from Reidel said, “I had the idea for the setting and the first… incident. The characters evolved from there.”
The play is packed with cultural references geared to 1960s Hamilton, following in the tradition of Canadian playwright Mark Crawford who wrote Stag and Doe.
Swordfish runs Nov. 4 to 21 with evening performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a matinee on Sunday.
Tickets are only available online through the Guelph Little Theatre’s website and The Little Box Office.
Tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors, students and children. Patrons will need to provide proof of vaccination when they arrive and masks will be required.
For more information, visit www.guelphlittletheatre.com.
