The Ladies Foursome

Harbour Theatre’s The Ladies Foursome is proving very popular, and you may need to fight huge crowds of lady golfers to purchase one of the few remaining tickets. This funny but poignant play, by Norm Foster, one of Canada’s most popular playwrights, is set entirely on a golf course, but covers a plethora of issues, and is expertly performed.

Originally slated for a mid 2020 season, this is a treat that was worth the wait. The plot follows a round of golf between three old friends, who are joined by newcomer Dory, the day after the funeral of their usual fourth player. A show of revelations, of the importance of friendships both old and new, of strength in adversity and the resilience of women, the golf game at the centre of the show is also fascinating - whether or not you are a fan of golf.

Sherryl Spencer is sexy and strong as the region’s best local newscaster, glamour-girl Connie - a fabulous portrayal of a beautifully flawed but loveable character who owns her sexuality and doesn’t care who knows it. Meredith Hunter is a delight as successful businesswoman Margot, and she was a particular favourite of the golfers in the audience - her miming and reactions of the success (or failure) of her shots is beyond superb and definitely strikes a chord with the audience. Kirstie Francis is lovely as Tate, unfazed by her lack of golfing prowess, whose journey during the round is excellent. Anna Head beautifully completes the cast in the catalyst role of Dory, a complex character in her own right, whose knowledge of these women that she has never met, changes their perspective of both the present and the past.

The set is simply a golf lawn floor and some well-chosen projected backdrops. It is nicely lit from a design by Rob Tagliaferri and features sound design from Vanessa Gudgeon.

 Great to see a show that is drawing in huge groups of infrequent theatre-goers – and is a wonderful ambassador for community theatre as a whole. A strong and enjoyable production,

Kimberley Shaw