The Norm Forster comedy “The Ladies Foursome”, starring Susan Glover, Shannon Hamilton, Mary Harvey and Eleanor Noble, debuted last week at the Hudson Village Theatre. It will run until July 10. (Photo Kristina Edson)
Norm Foster play running until July 10
Can a man get into a woman’s head well enough to write dialogue for not one, but four different women with vastly different quirks, hangups and personalities? If you’re Norm Foster, you sure can.
“The Ladies Foursome” is Foster’s most recent play. It debuted last week at the Hudson Village Theatre and will run until July 10.
The comedy, directed in Hudson by Alison Darcy, first opened to solid reviews two summers ago at the Upper Canada Village Playhouse.
And anyone looking for great summertime entertainment in a professional theatre show won’t go wrong by planning a trip to Hudson.
Remembering a friend
The comedy, starring Susan Glover, Shannon Hamilton, Mary Harvey and Eleanor Noble, opens on a fictional golf course where three longtime friends gather to play a round to honour their golf “fourth”, Catherine, whose funeral they’d attended the day before. A new woman, a friend of the deceased who the three don’t know, joins them as the new fourth.
From the get go it’s obvious that Margot (Glover), Connie (Harvey) and Tate (Hamilton), who regularly played with Catherine, have vastly different personalities.
When the newcomer, Dory (Noble), joins them, the womens’ differences are even more pronounced.
Hamilton quickly establishes herself on stage as Tate, a perky, put-together perfectionist married to a surgeon named Bobby. And though she works hard to portray an enviable life, things are not as wonderful as they seem for the stay-at-home mom of at least one less than perfect child. Hamilton shines in every scene with her sharp, obsessive pre-swing routine and crisp, uptight mannerisms.
Contrasting Tate is Margo, a laid-back businesswoman who doesn’t hide her love for cocktails, and the earlier the better. Glover’s version of the sardonic Margot is perfection. From carelessly catching some shut-eye on one hole to openly imbibing whenever possible, her performance is delightful.
Connie, played by Harvey, is a local newscaster of some fame. She’s also famous for her love of men and quick, meaningless flings. Though she tries to project a teflon exterior, it soon becomes clear there’s a reason Connie won’t let herself get too close to a man. Harvey’s portrayal of the jaded but quick witted no-holds-barred reporter is spot on.
Rounding out the group is Dory, played perfectly by Nobel. Dory is the unknown factor and the catalyst for many of the revelations that come about during the show’s two and a half hour running time.
While playing 18 holes (kudos to set designer Jo-Anne Vezina for her creative design) the women talk about everything from raising kids, to sex, men, unfulfilled dreams and if it’s possible to make changes once life seems set.
Foster wrote four solid characters each with her own set of foibles, secrets and hopes. Yet each is as different as the last. Foster’s trademark dialogue does not disappoint in this wonderful show.
And though the play is a highly enjoyable comedy, it’s really an homage to womanhood and the lasting ties of friendship.
The Hudson Village Theatre is located at 28 Wharf Rd. For tickets or show times (matinées and evenings) call the box office at 450 458-5361 or go to: www.villagetheatre.ca.
Lire la nouvelle “The Ladies Foursome” delightful diversion sur le site web VIVA média.