It’s only fitting that, for the first show of its 20th anniversary season, Bobcaygeon’s Globus Theatre is presenting Norm Foster’s poignant comedy Mending Fences for 11 performances from May 10 to 20 at the Lakeview Arts Barn (LAB).
After all, Canada’s most-produced playwright cut the ribbon when Globus Theatre moved into its theatrical home at the LAB 18 years ago. Since then, Globus has staged one of his plays almost every year, including in 2023 when Foster himself took to the stage at the LAB to perform in a Globus production of his then-new comedy On a First Name Basis.
Mending Fences, which premiered in 2006 at Theatre In Port in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, is a dramatic comedy about an estranged father and son’s dysfunctional relationship.
Harry Sullivan is a gruff and uncommunicative small-town Saskatchewan cattle farmer who hasn’t seen his son Drew in 13 years. After Drew comes to the ranch for a visit, the two men stubbornly refuse to be honest with each other about their true feelings. Enter Harry’s next-door neighbour Virginia (“Gin”), a woman he is dating who has issues of her own but is determined to help Harry and Drew reconcile.
Using hockey as the symbol of a power play between father and son, the play includes flashbacks to Harry’s youth and middle age and to Drew’s teens that provide insight into the lives of both characters.
Mending Fences will resonate with anyone who has been a parent or a son or daughter — which includes all of us.
“People will go to my plays and they’ll see themselves on stage, or they might see a friend they know,” Foster told kawarthaNOW in an 2018 interview.
“I love climbing into this world with these characters I’ve created and see where they take me,” Foster said, adding “the characters write the shows for me.”
“I just have to come up with the beginning point and where I think it’s going to end, and see how the characters take me there.”
In the Globus Theatre production of Mending Fences, the role of Harry will be performed by Globus artistic producer James Barrett (Screwball Comedy, Buying the Moose, Funny Farmers, Real Estate).
Anna Silvija Broks, who played Stella in last year’s Globus production Meet My Sister and who has previously appeared in Looking, The Long Weekend, and Lunenburg, will perform in the role of Gin.
The character of Drew will be played by Globus newcomer Ryan Sheedy, a Toronto-based actor, improviser, and instructor originally from Calgary.
The May production of Mending Fences is the beginning of an extended season to mark Globus’s 20th year of producing professional theatre in the Kawartha Lakes.
“It is really exciting to be kicking off so early this year and we knew a Norm Foster play would be the perfect way to do it,” says Globus’s artistic director. Sarah Quick in a media release.
“It will be a fun, busy and celebratory way to start off what is going to be a great year of theatre here at the LAB.”
Mending Fences opens at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10th with evening performances continuing from Thursday, May 11th to Saturday, May 13th and again from Tuesday, May 16th to Saturday, May 20th, along with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday, May 13th and Thursday, May 18th.
An optional three-course dinner starting at 6 p.m. is available prior to the evening performances. Tickets are $90 for dinner and the show, or $45 for the show only (plus tax and fees). Group pricing is also available.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.globustheatre.com or by calling the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037.
