Humour meets grief in new show at Chemainus Theatre

Falling: A Wake, by Canadian playwright Gary Kirkham, brings startling symbolism and wry humour to Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Studio Stage

Falling: A Wake, by Canadian playwright Gary Kirkham, brings startling symbolism and wry humour to Chemainus Theatre Festival’s Studio Stage from Aug. 17-27.

This poignant play will make you question everything as grief hides behind humour, organizers say. It’s up to the healing power of conversation to lead the human spirit to find hope.

One night, the body of a young man, still strapped into his airplane seat, falls from the sky into the yard of Harold and Elsie’s farm.

As the night unfolds, their mysterious guest effects a profound transformation in his hosts.

This is a two-person play, perfect for the intimate size of the Studio Stage.

Falling: A Wake is the third Gary Kirkham play Chemainus has produced, the other two being Queen Milli of Galt and the adaptation of August Strindberg’s Easter.

Karen Johnson-Diamond makes her Chemainus Theatre Festival debut as Elsie, while audiences may remember Michael Peng, who plays Harold from the Studio Stage’s inaugural production of Freud’s Last Session.

Mark DuMez directs, but he’ll have Kirkham as set and sound designer and Nick Barrett on lighting. The Studio Stage is located at 9574 Bare Point Rd. by the Chemainus Festival Inn.

Tickets are $27 (including taxes). Book online at chemainustheatre.ca or call the box office at 1-800-565-7738 now to reserve your seats.

Cowichan Valley Citizen