Another uplifting Norm Foster comedy is next for the Drayton Festival Theatre with all the heart, humour and happy endings audiences have come to expect from Canada’s master playwright.
Hilda’s Yard offers a hilarious look at the unbreakable ties that bind a family together, July 2 to 18.
It’s 1956, and happy empty-nesters Sam and Hilda are finally enjoying life on their own after their children have flown the coop. In fact, they plan to purchase their first television set as a means of celebrating the milestone. But their peaceful world takes a chaotic turn when their son Gary loses his job and their daughter Janey leaves her husband.
Both adult children return to the comfort of home for an unexpected stay, setting in motion a hilarious situational comedy as the traditional parents attempt to understand the far out ideas of their progressive children in order to bridge the generational divide.
Patti Allan makes her Drayton Entertainment debut as Hilda, the cheeky yet ever-caring matriarch of the Fluck family. Allan is a four-time recipient of Vancouver’s Jessie Richardson Award.
David Nairn is a perfect foil for Allan as Hilda’s frustrated husband, Sam. Nairn is no stranger to Foster’s works, having performed in The Love List and in the world premiere of On a First Name Basis.
Mairi Babb plays Janey Fluck, a young woman who yearns for more than being a ‘50s housewife. Babb is no stranger to the Drayton Entertainment stage, having performed in past productions of Guys & Dolls, Moon Over Buffalo, and My Fair Lady to name a few.
In his Drayton Entertainment debut, Alan Kliffer plays Gary, the son who can’t quite catch a break in life.
Bobbi Jakes, Gary’s cool jazz musician girlfriend, is played by newcomer Emma Slipp. Slipp is a three-time Jessie nominee.
Brad Austin charms as Beverly Woytowich, the suave and sophisticated neighbourhood bookie who complicates things for the Flucks..
Hailing from the west coast, Mark DuMez directs the talented cast.
DuMez is joined by set designer Ivan Brozic, costume designer Sarah Plater Findlay and lighting designer Lyle Franklin.
Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $34. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Hilda’s Yard runs July 2 to 18.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Drayton Festival Theatre, online at www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com or by calling the box office at 519- 638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
