Front Row Centre Theatre Review: TRVIAL PURSUITS

Nothing makes a theatre's reviewer's heart ache more than watching a talented community theatre cast struggle with weak material. That pretty much sums up what is happening at Burnhamthorpe Library Theatre where Mississauga Players are presenting a not-very-funny comedy by Frank Vickery called TRIVIAL PURSUITS.

First of all, the title is a misnomer: As far as these characters are concerned there is nothing trivial about their pursuits. They are members of the Trealaw and District Operatic Society and have gathered at the South Wales home of their director, Nick, for a Barbeque and to discover which musical he has chosen for their upcoming season. Naturally everyone is campaigning for a pet project with a juicy part for himself or herself. It matters not that some of these characters are way too old or not talented enough for the roles they have chosen.

That's supposed to be one of the jokes of the play.

It seems all Vickery can come up with are cheap barbs and situations that often do not make sense.

Who in their right mind would attempt to carry a burning barbeque and then be surprised when they are badly burned, and yet not know enough to put it down? This is exactly what the character of Teddy does. Fortunately Ken Freeman rises above the material and actually seems to be enjoying himself as the queeny Teddy. In fact were it not for the dedication of the obviously talented performers the evening would be a complete write-off. June O'Brien is particularly touching as the alcoholic Joyce who has a reputation for forgetting her lines on stage and resorting to vaudeville shtick. 

Working with director Kathryn Wilkinson, the performers do their best to make the material work. The set by Maggie McEwan perfectly captures the look and feel of a somewhat cramped back-yard patio, while creating several effective playing spaces for the ten performers so the staging is never crowded or static.

What is static is the play itself, and as much as the cast are to be commended for keeping the poorly written farce afloat, one has to hope that whoever selects plays for Mississauga Players will find better showcases these talented people.

TRIVIAL PURSUITS plays Thursday through Saturday evening at 8 PM at the Library Theatre, 1350 Burnhamthorpe road until Saturday February 4. For tickets call the box office at 905-823-7100.