Sometimes what we remember isn’t real.
A recalled event or emotion might be a half truth or a complete fabrication. Our brains, apparently, are capable of creating different, perhaps kinder, memories. And the more we remember them, the more genuine they seem.
“Half Life is a delicate mediation on age and memory, the loss of memory and memory reimagined,” says Stephen Hill, director of Courtenay Little Theatre’s spring production. The play opens at the Sid Williams Theatre on April 14 and continues through the 23rd.
Half Life is a story about relationships. Clara (Kirstin Humpherys) and Patrick (Bill Walton) are both 80 when they meet in a seniors' home for veterans and their families. They aren’t sure but think they may have met in their younger years.
Clara and Patrick’s middle-aged children, Anna (Tracey Hill) and Donald (Sidney Pickard) also meet at the facility. They share the bond of caring for aging parents. But as Clara and Patrick’s relationship deepens, their children are faced with questions and decisions neither anticipated.
“The play explores the issue of what decisions are appropriate for seniors to make, especially as they develop Alzheimer’s or dementia,” says Hill.
“Half Life is particularly well suited to the Comox Valley,” he continues. “We have lots of seniors, lots of veterans and lots of mid-age children caring for aging parents. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to show off the wealth of talented mature actors that live in the Valley.”
Despite the topic, Hill notes that the play is very funny.” “And it gives people something to think about when they leave the theatre. It might even convince some to initiate a conversation that many of use leave on the back burner of our busy lives.”
Unlike most plays which feature a few long scenes, Half Life is composed of 14 smaller scenes, each containing a fragment of the story. Between these mini scenes the actors need to create transitions as characters move off stage into the rest of their lives and others come into focus.
“Mighton didn’t write these transitions,” says Hill. “They are challenges he presents to the actors.”
Half Life was written in 2005 by University of Toronto professor, John Mighton. A self-taught mathematician and playwright, Mighton received the Order of Canada in 2010. His play won the $100,000 Siminovitch Award, as well as the Dora Award and the Governor General’s Award for Best Canadian play.
“Mighton uses elegant poetic writing to engage viewers on many levels,” says Hill. “The production looks at the role of art, science and theology in shaping and helping humans get a sense of who we are and how we want to live our lives. There is something in it for young adults to seniors.”
An unusual aspect of the production is that it’s the first presentation of Half Life worldwide to cast a woman in the role of the reverend.
“Darilyn Keene brought something special to the audition,” says Hill. “So we got special permission from the playwright to change the script.”
Hill, Director of Pastoral Care at St. Joseph’s Hospital, is no newcomer to the theatre himself. As a young man he worked for seven years as a professional actor in Ontario and London. Then an experience with L’Arche Homes made him re-evaluate what he wanted to do with his life.
“My wife and I were attracted by the incredibly rich landscape, culture and lifestyle of the Comox Valley,” he says. “After we moved here I was invited to play the detective in Courtenay Little Theatre’s Mousetrap. I’m really enjoying being involved in the theatrical world again.”
Half Life begins at 7:30 each evening with a matinee at 2 p.m. on April 16. CLT is donating proceeds from the matinee to the PARC Project at the Views at St. Joseph’s Hospital. PARC’s goal is to create more space for physical activities for those living in what was formerly called extended care.