It was a full house in the Heritage Hall at Duncan United Church on the evening of April 13, as the Mercury Players hosted the opening night of their new production Mrs. Reynolds & the Ruffian.
Written by Welsh Playwright Gary Owen this play asks the question; ‘can a bad seed grow?’ Excited enthusiasts of all ages waited with anticipation for the lights to dim, and the actors to shine. And shine they did. Under the direction of Mary Louise Phillips who has a myriad of directing and acting credits, an intimate stage is set which takes audience members into the neighbourhood, and world of Mrs. Reynolds where the beauty of her surroundings is extremely important to her. Mrs. Reynolds wishes to live in a world where her garden thrives and graffiti does not, but neigbourhood vandals have other plans.
The play opens with Cassie, played by Julia Lalonde who is celebrating her second show with the Mercury Players, mediating a meeting between Jay and Mrs. Reynolds, who fell victim to Jay’s garden vandalism. Coining him a ruffian from the start, has Jay quickly quipping, ‘Where did you find her, the antiques roadshow?’ This brought on the first bout of laughter that kept coming in droves throughout this bittersweet comedic drama.
With this being his first real debut with the Mercury Players, local actor Connor Lachmanec plays the streetwise Jay knocking it out of the park with his diplays of bravado in the first act opposite Leslie Sanchez (Mrs. Reynolds) who has acted in a myriad of productions with the company since 2008. Her acting chops show in spades. What starts out as a very odd couple relationship with humour and hostility from both parties evens out as the pair begin to show different sides of themselves, while widening each one’s perspective of one another.
We see a change in Jay who starts off as the reluctant ruffian forced to restore Mrs. Reynolds’s flowerbeds which he repeatedly expresses “he couldn’t give a toss about.” We discover that Jay’s dark past fuels a desire for connection, even though he tries his best to hide it through his cheekiness and sour attitude. While neighbourhood hooligans prevent Mrs. Reynolds from enjoying a full bloom of flowers, a unique realtionship blossoms between the two instead, unveiling some hard truths and soft moments beteen the pair along the way. Mrs. Reynolds’s opinion of Jay changes along the way and develops into some unexpected surprises.
Rounding off the ensemble is Jay’s mate Kieran who is played by Presley Anderson for the April 13 to 15 shows. Ella Dupuy takes on the role from April 20 to 23. Dayna Corbett plays Mel who is new to the neighbourhood, and quickly becomes a friend to Mrs. Reynolds and a potential love interest for Jay. All five players deliver the goods as they show different sides to their characters, while reeling in the audience for an emotional ride.
For those that appreciate good community theatre this is a show not to be missed. Mercury Players’ latest production runs April 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and will have matinee showing at 2:30 on April 15, 22, and the 23 at Duncan United Church Hall at 246 Ingram St. General admission is $22 while students and seniors can enjoy the show for a mere $17. Tickets are available online at eventbrite.ca or can be purchased in person from Ten Old Books or at the door.
Mrs. Reynolds and the Ruffian not only delves into some raw humour, and mature themes but also hits home that every person’s story has more to it then the cover they present to the world.