Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Judi Straughan
John Mighton's play, Half Life, invites the audience into a
world seldom visited on the theatre stage. It is a world of the
aged; a world where, strangely enough, life is being lived to
the fullest.
Half Life tells the story of nursing home residents Patrick
(George Merner) and Clara (Linda Goranson) who meet, fall in
love and wish to marry. They encounter major objections,
especially from Clara's son Donald (Jeff Miller), who is
unwilling to allow his mentally fragile mother to marry.
This is the stuff great plays are made of: extraordinary
dramatic situations, characters we love, and no pat answers.
George Merner, who plays octogenarian Patrick in the Sudbury
Theatre Centre's latest production, says that playwright
Mighton has cleverly presented us with a drama in shades of
grey.
He muses: "It is the audience who must make all of the final
decisions. Did Clara and Patrick have a relationship years ago?
Is Donald right to sabotage his mother's relationship? Is the
nursing assistant Tammy actually stealing some of Clara's
money?"
"This play," adds Elva Mai Hoover, who plays feisty, comedic
resident Agnes, "is for those who love to think. It's highly
entertaining, while challenging the audience to take sides and
stances. At the same time, it is filled with love."
And love is what the play all about. Donald loves his mother
dearly, but, ironically, at age 45, does less living than his
mother who suffers from dementia.
"Clara is joyful, open-hearted, clear, loving: all of the
things Donald is not," observes Hoover. "The play shows us that
we have to live our lives at every age."
Merner adds: "Never write people off. The end of life is as
interesting as the middle of life. There's even sex! Who would
have thought?"
Merner is the only cast member who has had the opportunity to
perform in Half Life previously.
"When I did this play in Thunder Bay, the audiences found lots
to laugh about. Mighton has been clever with his humour and
clever with the writing of his characters. A social worker
there told us that Patrick, Clara and Agnes are all
recognizable in each and every nursing home. It's completely
spot on," he says.
Hoover adds: "And there is sensitivity in the portrayal of
nursing home workers. They are hard working and underpaid. This
play is not judgmental about anyone. It's a touching, poignant
portrayal of one of the potentially richest stages of
life."
The Sudbury Theatre Centre's Half Life plays from March 26 to
April 5. Directed by George Pothitos, the play also features
Jameson Kraemer as the Reverend, Catherine McGregor as Anna and
Nora Sheehan as Tammy.
Call 674-8381 for ticket information. The play is sponsored by
FNX Mining.
Judi Straughan is the Sudbury Theatre Centre's education co-ordinator.
