A woman one day wakes up to find herself alone in a tiny town. However, it doesn’t take long for her to become entangled in a love triangle. That’s the basis for the latest production by the Yellow Point Drama Group.
The Affections of May, which is in its final weekend at Cedar hall, focuses on a woman named May, who suddenly finds herself alone in a small town after her husband abandons her and their bed and breakfast business for a life in the city. Word quickly gets around that there is a new bachelorette in town and soon two local men, Quinn and Hank, begin courting her.
Actor Brian March said residents in smaller communities and cities, such as Nanaimo, will be able to relate to the small town theme in the play.
“I think they will take away the fact that they will understand the situation,” March said. “We get a lot of people who move here from big cities and other provinces and they’re thrown into a situation where they’re trying to navigate small town politics … I think people will be able to relate on that level.”
The Affections of May, written by Norm Foster, stars Maureen Molyneux, Devon Cathers and Erik Tully, along with March.
March plays the role of Hank, a lonely banker, who is one of two men vying for the affection of May.
“He’s the guy who lives with his mother and he collects mugs,” March said. “You can understand why he has trouble in the romance department. As an actor I enjoy tackling something like that.”
He added that playing Hank, who struggles in the dating world, has been an interesting role for him.
“We were all at that stage at some point in our lives. You’re trying to figure out how do you woo a woman and how do you make a relationship work. So, for me it’s going back to those days and putting some of that into the character of the play,” March said.
The Affections of May also explores themes of love, identity and self-worth.
“I think people will certainly understand the relationship level. The relationships are strong in the play and people will be able to relate to that,” March said. “There is a lot of humour in the play as well. I think people will be entertained and at the same time they will be able to recall a point in their life where they were probably in the same boat as May.”
Yellow Point Drama Group only puts on two productions annually. March, who co-produced the play, explained that one of the challenges that the group regularly faces is finding and attracting acting and production talent.
“We just try to do as many different things as we can to try and reach people who may not be aware that we’re out here. I still encounter many people that are not aware that the YellowPoint Theatre Group is alive after 60 years.”
The Affections of May runs on Friday and Saturday (March 21-22) at 8 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $17; $12/youth and the matinee. Please call 250-245-7516.
