On Golden Pond

This is the best production I have seen of this play. It rollicked along, making light of the black humour, and forging believably rounded characters.

It indulged the foibles we develop in old age, acknowledged our fears of inescapable death, ennobled family relationships and left us, by the end, elevated and walking out with a lighter step.

Director Sandra Hines and her crew created a delightful holiday cottage by the lake. The real masterpiece, the backcloth was a genuine work of art, devised and painted by the director herself and lit lovingly by Lighting Designer David Scheiwe. The sunset over the lake in Act 1 Scene 3 was beautiful.

It was great to see lead actors of a certain age playing parts into which they slipped comfortably like old feet into favourite slippers. Keith Wilson, as about-to-be-eighty Norman Thayer Jr and Carmen Heath (his wife Ethel), take a well-deserved bow for your performances.

They were capably supported by Zita Anderson (as their daughter, Chelsea); John Honey, her about-to-be second husband Bill Ray; and Brad Turnbull, as the local mailman with the infectious laugh. The final character, Bill’s 11 year-old potty-mouthed son, Billy Ray, was played by Keaun Willis with great aplomb. He stole many laughs and hearts.

Ron Fitzgerald’s soundscape of evocative familiar tunes added to the atmosphere and the backstage crew ran the piece like a well-oiled machine.

It’s a winner!

Jay McKee