Markham Stouffville Review, September 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023
COMMUNITY 7 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW
Markham Little Theatre returns with Drinking Alone
BY JEFF JONES
After a triumphant return to live performance
last year, Markham Little Theatre
returns for its 2023/2024 season with Norm
Foster’s Drinking Alone for nine performances
between September 20 and 30 at the
Backstage Theatre on the Markham Museum
grounds.
For the past few full seasons, Markham
Little Theatre has produced its first show at
the group’s rehearsal space, converted into
the 100-seat black box Backstage Theatre at
the Markham Museum, before returning to
the Markham Theatre stage. This season will
be no different. Of course, Markham Little
Theatre treasures its long-standing relationship
with the Markham Theatre and still
produces the majority of its shows there, but
the habit of doing a show a year at the museum
has become something of a cherished
tradition as well.
“Our director, Marlene Foran, has
directed numerous plays at Backstage,”
explains Sarah McDonald, one of the show’s
producers. “She understands both the limitations
and strengths of a small space and is
able to create worlds that have thrilled our
audiences.”
“The Backstage theatre is the perfect
venue for intimate character-driven plays,
Drinking Alone is such a play,” says Marlene
Foran, the show’s director. “Foster explores
the complexities of a family in a poignant
and comedic way. Backstage is the perfect
place to become involved in this family’s
The cast of Drinking Alone from left to right: Judy Atherton, Mark Boyko, Tristan Stansfi eld,
Puneet Bajwa, and Lindsay Woodford.
life.”
In the show, the leading character, Joe
Todd, organizes a birthday party for his
estranged father while simultaneously hiring
an escort to pose as his fiancé. Family secrets
and conflicts soon erupt long before the
cake comes out at this dysfunctional family
reunion.
The five-person cast features a mix of
stalwart and fresh faces. Longtime MLTers,
Tristan Stansfield, Mark Boyko and Judy
Atherton are joined by newcomers Puneet
Bajwa, Lindsay Woodford.
“This cast is five actors who bring
experience, creativity and heart,” Foran says.
“It has been such an enjoyable experience to
bring these characters and this play to life.”
“There’s been a lot of laughter and
comradery during rehearsals, adds McDonald,
“we are looking forward to a wonderful
show.”
Of course, in addition to familiar faces
onstage, audiences will also recognize the
writing of Norm Foster; a Canadian playwright
who, while quietly becoming something
of a legend in regional theatre circles,
has been featured by Markham Little Theatre
regularly and far more than any other single
playwright.
“Foster is definitely one of our favourite
playwrights,” McDonald says. “His characters
and their circumstances feel familiar and
there are moments of revelation that make
Foster’s story-telling more than simple comedy,
and we know that our audiences enjoy
the mix of truth and humour.”
“The challenge in the production is that
Norm Foster delicately balances the comedy
with tragedy,” Foran explains. “The challenge
is to recognize where both occur and
seamlessly blend them. The play addresses
serious issues but is also funny, which
heightens the enjoyment.”
Company members are always quick
to point out that while Markham Little Theatre
has earned the kind of praise for over
five decades that is usually reserved for a
professional company, it remains an entirely
volunteer organization…and, something of a
family.
“Most audience members don’t realize
the number of people it takes to put together
a performance. More than just actors and
directors there are designers, builders, stage
managers, producers, crew; at times the list
feels endless,” McDonald says. “Our cast
and crew come together simply for the love
of the show, but it’s a lot of work. We are
always looking for new volunteers.”
This tradition of coming together is
likely the true key to MLT’s ongoing success
and might also be why starting their season
with a show about family is a good idea.
“Come see Drinking Alone and be a part
of the family,” says Foran.
Markham Little Theatre’s production of
Drinking Alone runs September 20-23 and
27-30 at Markham Little Theatre’s Backstage
Theatre on the grounds of the Markham
Museum. All shows start at 8 p.m., with an
additional 2 p.m. matinée on Saturday, September
30. Tickets are on sale through the
Flato Markham Theatre box office at (905)
305-7469
Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more details
or to purchase tickets.