Theatre Woodstock to stage Soldier's Heart

David French play runs in February

By Mark Schadenberg

WOODSTOCK – Theatre Woodstock – located at 22 Reeve Street in Woodstock (behind City Hall at 500 Dundas) is in the midst of final preparations to stage a Canadian play which reflects back to life in the Maritimes more than 80 years ago.

The Woodstock production of Soldier’s Heart – a script written by David French (www.davidfrench.net) – is on the Reeve Street stage Feb 8 – 16. Based on two main male characters from Newfoundland, the Jennifer Paquette directed play studies the father-son relationship of a First World War veteran (Esau Mercer) and his 16-year-old-son Jacob. The time frame is 1924, and remember Newfoundland will not formally join Canada until 1949.

Esau and friend Bert Taylor are part of a contingent which sailed off to England during the First World War. One line from the script, as said by Bert, notes: “A soldier doesn’t die for King and Country . . . Or for any other high-falutin' idea. He doesn’t want to let his friends down.”  

Mercer family saga

Writer French, who might be best known for both Leaving Home and Salt-Water Moon (Also featuring the Mercer family characters), along with an English translation of Chekhov’s The Seagull, penned a dozen plays.  What is interesting is that Soldier’s Heart – released in 2001 -- is a prequel to the other four Mercer offerings, including Leaving Home written in 1972.   

The Woodstock (www.theatrewoodstock.com) production is sponsored by Investment Planning Counsel (69 Light St, Woodstock) and runs over two weekends at the refurbished former Downtown farm market.  

David French died of cancer at the age of 71 in December of 2010.

Rain Rain, go away?

Later – in the spring – Theatre Woodstock presents a Leeann Minogue play entitled Dry Streak, April 12 -20. The Saskatchewan playwright, who has also penned the plays Bloom and Homecoming, describes Dry Streak (www.leannminogue.com) as a seven-character 90-minute comedy that premiered in Saskatoon in 2005. A review I stumbled upon online says the play is more funny that the prairie TV sitcom Corner Gas. I’m not sure about any wardrobe malfunction in the Woodstock production as the word ‘streak’ does refer to a woman running naked in the rain.

I guess you could say “April 12-20 showers, bring May flowers”

For Theatre Woodstock tickets, memberships or sponsorships call 537-2582, visit the box office weekdays (3 – 7 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.), check out the website, or at Highlander Studios at 654 Dundas St, Woodstock. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $12 for children under 12.

If you’re between the ages of seven and 19 and want to learn about the youth theatre troupe, contact CAST at 537-8871.

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