The Drayton Festival Theatre Presents HILDA'S YARD, Now thru 7/18

The Drayton Festival Theatre continues its unforgettable 25th Anniversary Season with another uplifting Norm Foster comedy with all the heart, humour and happy endings audiences have come to expect from Canada's master playwright. Hilda's Yard offers a hilarious look at the unbreakable ties that bind a family together, tonight, July 2nd through July 18th.

It's 1956, and happy empty-nesters Sam and Hilda are finally enjoying life on their own after their children have flown the coop. In fact, they plan to purchase their first television set as a means of celebrating the milestone. But their peaceful world takes a chaotic turn when their son Gary loses his job and their daughter Janey leaves her husband. Both adult children return to the comfort of home for an unexpected stay, setting in motion a hilarious situational comedy as the traditional parents attempt to understand the far out ideas of their progressive children in order to bridge the generational divide.

"Hilda's Yard is touching, silly, very funny, and loaded with timeless situations easily relatable to today's modern family," says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. "Its humorous and poignant look at family dynamics resonate with theatregoers of all ages, and remind us that the ties that bind should be celebrated."

Patti Allan makes her Drayton Entertainment debut as Hilda, the cheeky yet ever-caring matriarch of the Fluck family. Allan is a four-time recipient of Vancouver's Jessie Richardson Award. She currently resides in Vancouver where she teaches first year acting at Simon Fraser University.

David Nairn is a perfect foil for Allan as Hilda's frustrated husband, Sam. Nairn is no stranger to Foster's works, having performed in The Love List and in the world premiere of On a First Name Basis. He is currently entering in his 17th season as Artistic Director of Theatre Orangeville.

Mairi Babb plays Janey Fluck, a young woman who yearns for more than being a '50s housewife. Babb is no stranger to the Drayton Entertainment stage, having performed in past productions of Guys & Dolls, Moon Over Buffalo, and My Fair Lady to name a few.

In his Drayton Entertainment debut, Alan Kliffer plays Gary, the son who can't quite catch a break in life. Kliffer has performed across Canada, including performances with Capitol Theatre, Marquis Productions and the Thousand Islands Playhouse.

Bobbi Jakes, Gary's cool jazz musician girlfriend, is played by newcomer Emma Slipp. Slipp is a three-time Jessie nominee and has performed across Canada and toured the U.S.A., South Korea, and Singapore with Mermaid Theatre's production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Brad Austin charms as Beverly Woytowich, the suave and sophisticated neighbourhood bookie who complicates things for the Flucks. Audiences may remember Austin from Drayton Entertainment's productions of Norm Foster's hit shows The Melville Boys and Bedtime Stories.

Hailing from the west coast, Mark DuMez directs the talented cast. DuMez has served as the Artistic Director at the Chemainus Theatre Festival on Vancouver Island since 2009. His directing credits include The Mousetrap, Ring of Fire, Amadeus, A Shayna Maidel, Harvest, A Christmas Carol, Jeeves in Bloom and Strindberg's Easter.

DuMez is joined by Set Designer Ivan Brozic, Costume Designer Sarah Plater Findlay and Lighting Designer Lyle Franklin.

Hilda's Yard is proudly sponsored by Plein Disposal Inc. Media Sponsors are 101.7 The One, Country 106.7, The Grand 92.9 FM, and The Wellington Advertiser. The Design Sponsor is Elmira Golf Club. The 2015 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.

Regular performance tickets are $42.00 for adults; $25.00 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $34.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.

Hilda's Yard runs July 2nd through July 18th. Tickets can be purchased in person at the
Drayton Festival Theatre, online at www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (519) 638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).

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