DRAYTON – Drayton Entertainment is offering “a hilarious and poignant comedy that celebrates the diverse tapestry of Canada” on stage next month.
A Chinese student, a Jamaican quick serve manager, an Indian customer service representative, and a 17 year-old Syrian refugee walk into a curling club…
What begins as an amusing setup soon evolves into a moving comedy about immigration, community, and national identity, theatre officials state in a June 19 press release.
The New Canadian Curling Club will play for three weeks, from July 13 to 29 at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Inspired by a local refugee resettlement program, a small town organizes a Learn-to-Curl class to welcome newcomers. But when its organizer slips on the ice and breaks her hip, the rink’s ice maker and former champion curler Stuart MacPhail is forced to step in as head coach. Trouble is, Stuart has some strong opinions about immigrants.
“What follows is an inspiring and hilarious story of a group of unlikely athletes who face off against local prejudice and claim their identity as ‘new Canadians,’” theatre officials state.
“This is an incredibly relevant play right now, and we are proud to be presenting it as part of our season,” says Drayton Entertainment artistic director and CEO Alex Mustakas.
“The New Canadian Curling Club will make you laugh out loud, while also taking you on an emotional journey through some of the struggles that newcomers face, and questioning what it means to be a “new Canadian.”
Coaching the team is director Jane Spence. Spence has directed productions at Theatre Orangeville, Red Sandcastle Theatre, Compass Theatre and is the Lighthouse Festival’s first artistic associate, and will be directing two productions in their 2023 summer season.
The entire cast are making their Drayton Entertainment debuts with this production.
Regular performance tickets are $55 for adults, $34 for youth under 20 years of age.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online at draytonentertainment.com.
