Sweet and lovable ‘Old Love’ delights, charms Lighthouse audience
There are all kinds of love. Young love, forbidden love, secret love, even old love.
Old Love," you understand, just happens to be the title of prolific Canadian playwright Norm Foster's ingratiating comedy about a couple well past firm flesh and the first flush of hormones.
These mature folks with time left in life to long for romance are searching for the magic moment; the one that will allow them to collapse in each other's arms without feeling foolish or afraid. If I tell you it happens while the trapeze artist at the circus is flying through the air, I don't think I'll be giving too much away.
More about the importance of that trapeze glide later.
Foster doesn't even try to hide the fact his likable comedy comes replete with a happy ending. He telegraphs that moment from the start. He doesn't really want us wading through the scenarios of Molly and Bud's troubled life stories without suggesting that a flutter of happiness will embrace them at the final fade out.
In some ways, this is the genius of Foster's comedy. When one of his characters tells us old love is repulsive, we're meant to discount the observation. When we're told no one wants to think of wrinkled bodies rubbing together, we understand for this playwright that's rubbish.
Bud Mitchell has been attracted to sophisticated Molly Graham from the first day they met at an office Christmas party years ago. She has a sharp wit and repartee that contrasts with his sometimes geek-like observations of life. For 25 years he has wanted her. She never seemed much interested in him.
When they meet accidentally in the cemetery, standing over the fresh grave of Molly's departed husband, Bud hopes for a flicker of encouragement. But, we don't really see that in Molly's bright, sparkling eyes. No matter, Bud isn't one to give up easily.
From here on, Foster's play deals with the thawing out of Molly's icy fears for the future. And it expresses her willingness to finally let go of a troubled past.
We go back and forth in time, meeting Molly's deceased husband, Arthur, Bud's troubled wife, Kitty, and other folk who impact on the central characters colliding life stories.
All characters are smartly played with appropriate relish and charm by actors Melanie Janzen and Brian Young. To say they have a field day with Foster's first-rate one-liners is an understatement.
Beyond this, however, this inspired pair find truth and reality in what might easily be one-dimensional characters, if played with less compassion and vigour.
Janzen is particularly engaging, finding a thread of fear and vulnerability that establishes the pain lurking behind Molly's comic facade.
Her Molly is a creature of barely contained fears and rumpled emotions. She makes us laugh at her reticence, her unwillingness to accept a love that might just be the way of unlocking her lonely heart.
Young's Bud, tends to lean more forcefully on the comedy, hiding some of the deeper currents that ought to ripple beneath Bud's brash behaviour.
Still, this sometimes caustic, sometimes sweet and lovable pairing, does much to make Foster's insightful comedy sing like a rousing duet.
Director Jesse Collins has given the play an appropriate surge in pacing that keeps the comedy coming and the outcome of Foster's story in mind.
The Lighthouse Festival Theatre's production of Old Love" is blessed as well with an imaginative and attractive set by director/designer Collins that suggests both interior and exterior locations. Its wood and fabric space is played over by evocative and painterly lighting by Wendy Lundgren.
It's hardly surprising prolific Canadian playwright Norm Foster was born on Valentine's Day. His popular plays, like Old Love," are frequently propelled by laugh-out-loud comedy, often shot through with heart-tugging romantic connection.
Old Love," is a sweet, though sometimes caustic look at desire later in life. More importantly, it asks us to believe in the power of love and the nature of romance.
That's why we root for Molly and Bud. That's why we believe in the play's final moments. That's why when this comedy's great epiphany comes, and the lady in silk and satin on an overhead trapeze makes her important leap of faith, we believe, just like Molly, that she soars forever on death-defying wings propelled by faith and love. Nice.
Gary Smith has written about theatre and dance for The Hamilton Spectator for 40 years. gmith1@cogeco.ca
Old Love
Lighthouse Festival Theatre, 247 Main St., Port Dover
Now through Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Some 2 p.m. matinees (call to confirm)
Tickets: $90 for 2 tickets (sold in pairs) call 1-519-583-2221 or go to lighthouse theatre.com
Protocols: Must be fully vaccinated. Masks must be worn. Seating is distanced.