Stellar cast breathes life into Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "Willow Quartet"

"Willow Quartet" is the emotional story about a painful journey, with a few laughs along the way.

And the Kincardine Theatre Guild's production of this tale is amazing, thanks to a stellar cast of veteran actors who breathe life into this intense drama.

Shirley Bieman is the stand-out as Marjorie, the mother and mother-in-law of Kim and her husband, Ben, who have become estranged following a tragedy in their family. Wonderfully frank, realistic, outspoken and opinionated, Marjorie has some of the best lines in the show, as she struggles to talk sense into her daughter and son-in-law.

Liz Small and Fort Papalia are Kim and Ben. Both do a tremendous job of portraying that distinct awkwardness of being in each other's company - what had once been so familiar.

And rounding out the cast is Bill Brown as musician Jim who arrives on the scene, captivates Kim, and brings new meaning to the word "cad."

The play, itself, written by Canadian playwright Joan Burrows, takes the audience on an emotional roller-coaster ride as Kim finds herself back in her childhood home on a small farm in the country. She takes in a boarder, Jim, a violinist performing at the town's music festival, and quickly becomes infatuated with him.

As their friendship evolves, mother Marjorie drops in time and again to put her "two cents' worth" into the equation, and husband Ben finds reasons to stop by as well.

One of the best moments in the play occurs when Jim invites Ben to stay for dinner because he's making pasta. Kim has already made a pact with her mother, not to invite Ben to stay. Ben glances at Kim, smiles and says, "I love pasta."

Later, with Jim thinking Ben is the hired help, there is an emotional outburst between Kim and Ben, and Jim quips, "I don't think he's the hired man."

Thanks to these witty moments, the play is as funny as it is intense - a perfect combination for the revelation of the tragedy that tore Kim and Ben apart, and the ensuing struggle to deal with unresolved grief.

Will Kim follow Jim on a musical tryst? Will Kim and Ben get back together? One thing's for sure, Marjorie will have something to say about it!

"Willow Quartet" opened Feb. 11, and continues Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m., at the Kincardine Arts Centre. Tickets are $18 each, available at J'Adorn in downtown Kincardine or by calling the box office at 519-396-9000.

Praise to director Jaki Mayer-Duggan, and all involved in the design and construction of such a beautiful and simple set.

And credit to the cast and crew for ensuring the show went on this past weekend, despite the snowstorm that closed area roads Friday and Saturday night. The small but enthusiastic crowd Friday night thoroughly enjoyed the play and the public adjudication afterwards.

Adjudicator Sandy MacDonald had lots of great things to say about the show, including the "delightful" set and simple design, good sound effects, and amazing cast that ensured the relationships were believable all the way through the play.

If chosen, "Willow Quartet" would compete at the Western Ontario Drama League Festival during March Break.