Due to sell out crowds for both performances in May, many in the community missed out on the great music, the character-driven stories, and the time-honoured Cape Breton tradition of laughing at ourselves, provided by The Weddin Dance. Two shows this week offer an opportunity for those who missed it first time around, and for others to once again enjoy this original theatre piece written, produced, and directed by Brenda MacLennan-Dunphy.
The 1980s will once again come to life with tissue paper flowers, streamers, and frilled shirts. The cast will all be back, with Alec Pat (Blaine MacQuarrie) and Dan Peter (Charlie MacKinnon, new to this production) in rare form. The band, led by Tyson Chen with Eddie Cummings on lead guitar, will be ready to rock and roll through “Me and the Boys”, “Walk This Road”, “Jackie’s Road (Ivey’s Wall)”, and “The Mull River Shuffle”. Deborah (Lisa Cameron) and Duncan (Barry Fougere) will be struggling with life decisions, but singing their hearts out while they find their way, especially through “The Girls of Neil’s Harbour”, “I’m All Ready Down”, and “You’ll Be Home Again”. Mary Theresa (Adele LeBlanc), the groom’s old girlfriend, doesn’t hide her feelings, especially when singing “Cheap Lipstick”. Calum MacEachern (new to this production) will be the bossy bartender, Francis. With Anita MacDonald on the fiddle this time and Malcolm Matheson on mandolin and guitar, the band sounds amazing.
The crowd–including the hilarious MacAulay sisters (Jacqueline Boyd, Darlene Ellis, Elizabeth Matheson), Sarah the bridesmaid with a bit of drinking problem (Molly Murphy), and Ben (Peter MacInnis), the teacher with Sydney roots–will entertain with their life lessons and sharp lines at Strathspey Place, 7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 9th and Wednesday, July 10th. (Tickets $20, $25 day of show). Call Strathspey Box Office (902) 945-5300 for tickets.
