HARRISTON – The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s version of the popular Canadian play Knickers! A Brief Comedy hits the stage at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre later this month.
Written by British-born playwright Sarah Quick, who now makes her home in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Knickers! A Brief Comedy strips away all the illusions of small town living and finds the heart and humour of a community facing tough times together.
A story of four women banding together to help their community Knickers! is set in the fictional northern Canadian town of Elliston Falls. When the local paper mill closes, putting virtually everybody out work, the social and economic chaos affects the entire community.
Seeking solutions, local politicians bring in a world-wise tourism advisor, Amanda, played by Laura Gray of Harriston, who gets some quick lessons on getting established as an outsider in a small rural community. She soon teams up with some local residents affected by the plant closing, played by Krista Hale of Harriston, Caroline Wollis of Mount Forest and Christine Wick of Listowel and the four come up with a plan involving custom undergarments and plenty of moxie, in an effort to save the town.
The cast also includes Harriston and area residents Dan Bieman, Bob Harron, Patricia Von Westerholt and Joy Murray, Maija McCahery of Mount Forest, Mary Crome of Arthur and Monica O’Hagen of Walkerton.
“The play has numerous funny stories and tales. It’s very realistic on the basis that if you do lose a major employer in a small town the backlash is extensive,” said director John Hogg, of Harriston. “You see how people actually pull together … the townspeople do get behind this idea of the knicker factory and everybody pulls together. And do they survive? Well you’ll have to come and see.”
Knickers! A Brief Comedy runs Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 6 and 7, at 7:30pm and Dec. 1 and 8 at 2pm at the fully-accessible Harriston Town Hall Theatre, located at 68 Elora Street South in Harriston.
Tickets are $15 and available at Harriston Home Hardware, Palmerston Home Hardware and Walsh’s IDA in Mount Forest, or order with credit card through Eventbrite at www.greywellingtontheatre.com.
