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The Owen Sound Little Theatre is continuing their 22-23 season withYou, Me and a Bit of Driftwood, a locally written drama comedy about the struggles of navigating everything from family to your relationship during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by OSLT member Samantha Colwell-Castles, this show is seeing its stage debut at The Roxy Theatre.
“COVID changed the normality of life and brought sadness into peoples' lives. I wrote You, Me and a Bit of Driftwood to show people that the challenges we experienced were very similar and highlight that we weren't alone in what we went through. I wanted to bring some laughter into the sad memories of COVID. I hope I achieved that. COVID paused creativity in my life by taking away my access to theatre and performance. Writing this story brought creativity back to me,“ said Ms. Colwell-Castles.
Directed by Kevin Haxell (director of last season’s production of Born Yesterday) You, Me and a Bit of Driftwood is a comedic drama about a couple navigating their relationship and family dynamics though an unforeseen period of isolation and disruption.
From Zoom meetings going sideways to overseas Facetime calls with non-technical elderly parents, the play focuses on emotions that roller coaster from love to frustration and grief and everything in between.
"When you are directing a play that has not been performed before, you feel that you have the freedom to go with the ideas that you have for it that excite you,” said Kevin Haxell.
“But with that freedom comes responsibility. I’ve been entrusted to turn the playwright’s script into the production that she envisioned it could be. In the case of You, Me & A Bit of Driftwood, that is the realization of a touching, often humorous story about getting through a tough time as an individual and as someone’s partner. It’s quite the challenge, but so artistically rewarding!"
You, Me and a Bit of Driftwood is unique in that it features actors live on stage and also pre-recorded segments.
Some of the actors appear only via Facetime or Zoom, and because their scenes were filmed ahead of time they will be able to sit in the audience and watch the show, something that does not happen very often in live theatre.
There will also be segments of the play where live Facetime calls happen on stage, with the actors involved in those scenes being filmed in real-time off-stage.
“This kind of innovation is exactly the kind of challenge the OSLT likes to take on. Cast and crew have risen to the occasion to create a truly individual experience for Roxy Theatre patrons,” said Marcia Cunningham, Executive Director.
This locally written play will be relatable and funny to all who lived through COVID-19 and is a must see for those interested in supporting local theatre and local playwrights.
Stay after the Friday, Feb. 24, performance, grab a refreshment and listen to Samantha Colwell-Castles answer your questions about the play.
The production runs February 23-25 and March 1-4 at 7:30 p.m.
Masking is appreciated at all shows, but only required for the Friday, Mar. 3, show, where, for the safety of our patrons, we are offering a masked patron performance.
Tickets can be purchased in person at our box office, online, or by calling 519.371.2833.
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source: media release, Roxy Theatre
