Theatre Collingwood's season of sidesplitting laughter continues during July with the celebrated return of renowned actor Rod Beattie in Wingfield On Ice.
Theatre Collingwood presents Wingfield On Ice at the Gayety Theatre, July 15 -19 and it returns July 29 - Aug. 2.
The popular Wingfield plays are a dramatization of a series of letters from gentleman farmer, Walt Wingfield, to the editor of the Larkspur weekly newspaper.
Walt is a city stockbroker who quits the rat race of urban life to buy a hundred acre farm in mythical Persephone Township in order to enjoy tranquil small-town living.
Walt and his wife Maggie are anticipating the birth of their first child.
Now, in his fifth season on the farm, Walt has become a member of the community, swept up by the townsfolk's' silly misunderstandings, bitter quarrels and generational feuds.
In addition to the challenges of farming and fatherhood, Walt finds himself having to "mend fences" among bickering neighbours. Witnessing rivalry and animosity, Walt begins to question the quality of life in Persephone Township and wonders whether the area offers a healthy environment in which to raise a child. But when the disastrous ice storm blows in, the issues dividing the community suddenly seem small.
Feuding neighbours band together to help one another avoid total devastation.
Rod Beattie has been hailed as a "chameleon in overalls" for his outstanding ability to bring a dozen colourful and entertaining personalities to the stage in an enthralling a one-man show written by award-winning playwright, Dan Needles.
A resident of Clearview Township, Dan is very familiar with rural-urban culture clashes. His childhood was divided between Toronto and the family farm in Rosemont.
"I was never certain of where I belonged or understood people's reactions. When in the city, people call you a hick and when in the country, you're labeled a city slicker. In either situation, you're from 'away' and people have very definite opinions about that," says Needles
Many years ago, when Needles was editor of the Shelburne Free Press and Economist, he developed the character of Walt Wingfield, writing a weekly column about the misadventures of a Bay Street stockbroker turned farmer.
The letters were such a hit that he was encouraged to develop the monologues into a full-length stage production. There are now a total of six Wingfield plays, with the seventh currently being written.
Wingfield On Ice is considered one of the funniest and finest of the series, adding mature heartwarming messages and thought-provoking messages to the trademark witty rural humour. A keen observer of human nature, Dan noticed "I was struck by the way people who could be so cruelly critical of each other could also be moved to such startling acts of kindness."
First produced in 2001, it is directed by Rod's brother and Dan's friend, Doug Beattie.
Each Wingfield play stands on its own, so theatregoers don't have to see them in order. The successful Wingfield plays have been entertaining audiences for the past 23 years.
To reserve tickets by phone with a credit card, call 705-445-2200. Tickets are available at the Rail Car Box Office (beside Museum/Welcome Centre) in Collingwood between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, or at Gayety Theatre on Hurontario Street in Collingwood one hour prior to show time. For more information, visit the website.
