INNISFAIL –Strangers, language barriers and a hotel.
That may be the recipe for success with Innisfail Town Theatre's (ITT) fall production of A Bedfull of Foreigners.
The play by David Freeman is sure to provide plenty of laughter and a few, humorous, jaw-dropping moments.
“This play is not only a farce but it's very funny and it's very clever,” said director Mary Stenhouse. “There's some good clever lines in it. You don't always find that in a farce.”
The play is set on the border of France and Germany in the late 1970s and takes place in an old hotel that has seen better days, noted Stenhouse.
“Two couples that don't know each other are mistakenly booked into the same room,” she said, noting there are characters from England, France and Germany.
The local theatre troupe has been rehearsing for several weeks and has brought together a small cast and crew, including a couple of new faces.
“We started rehearsing in early September about three times a week. It's a cast of seven – we have four men and three women in the play,” said Stenhouse. “Some have been with Innisfail Town Theatre for a while and others are new. We have two new actors in this production.
“It's more than a comedy,” she added. “There's doors slamming, there's a lot of exits and entrances and not only do they have to have the timing right on, they also have to focus on their accents.”
This year's fall production -- co-produced by Terri Hart and Sheila Mielke -- is especially challenging from a technical standpoint, said Stenhouse.
“There's a lot of visual comedy and great writing. I think it's a well-written play,” she added, noting that light hearted, funny productions often go over well with guests at this festive time of year.
“After many rehearsals I'm still laughing,” said Stenhouse. “Hopefully everybody else finds it as funny.”
There are still tickets available for opening night on Nov. 23. For tickets call The Leg Man at (403) 227-5966.
Innisfail Town Theatre's fall production runs Nov. 23 to Dec. 9 at the Ol' Moose Hall.
Mary Stenhouse, director
"There's a lot of visual comedy and great writing."
