The Melville boys are an odd couple. Of the two brothers, Lee is the more sober, married and stuck in a rut in the eyes of his brother. Owen is single, lusty and determined to bring more laughs into Lee's life. When the two share a cabin one weekend and meet two good-looking strangers, Mary and her sister Loretta, the fun begins in this latest production, The Melville Boys, from Driftwood Players, opening at the Heritage Playhouse this weekend.
The 1984 play is written by Canadian Norm Foster. Many who have attended the Peninsula Players' dinner theatre in the past will remember another Foster classic, Here on the Flight Path, told with the same dry humour as The Melville Boys. You might also remember the lead male character in that performance being played by Ian Backs. The actor returns to the stage, this time portraying the sad Lee Melville, who really wants his illness to be acknowledged by his brother, played by Steve Hill. Unfortunately, his sibling is more intent on cracking the next brewski and arranging a double date with the two sisters.
The women are performed by Skye Wallace as the younger, self-involved sister, and Laura Sigler as the wife still waiting for the husband who absconded two years ago with the family car. Wallace has been popping up all over lately, as a warm-up act for Allison Crowe and as a singer at community events. Now, she shows she's got the right stuff to add drama to her performing career. Sigler is new to the Coast, and brings acting experience with her. Casey Kneller is Driftwood's newest director. She goes solo on this one (she has co-directed in the past) and said that it's going smoothly because she is working with a small, intimate cast who are performing audience-friendly material.
The play is a comedy drama that offers adult humour and wry messages. When Owen would rather stick his head in the sand and not talk about Lee's illness, it is up to the honesty of the youngest, most self-confident member of the group, Loretta, to ask the tough questions. Soon, both of the odd couples are forced to be more honest in their lives.
Producer Bill Forst is delighted with the resurgence of energy in Driftwood Players. Although the audiences have always been warm, he says, the group has often been short of volunteers. Not any more. Interest and involvement have grown. Unfortunately, so have ticket prices. In keeping with the increased cost of paying for the production rights and of set construction, the tickets will cost $20 at the door. Tickets for $15 offer savings when purchased in advance at various ticket outlets: Gaia's Fair Trade and Hallmark Cards in Gibsons and WindSong Gallery in Sechelt.
The Melville Boys runs tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, March 28 and 29, and again April 3 to 5 and 10 to 12 at 8 p.m. There are matinées on Sunday, March 30 and Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. Dinner theatre packages (call 604-886-2024) are available through Marcia's Entertainment Restaurant in Lower Gibsons.
