There'll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover — many Valley residents know these words and have sung them to their children and grandchildren.
Courtenay Little Theatre's production of Waiting of the Parade by John Murrell includes that classic and several others.
In this award-winning play, five Canadian women live through the First World War on the homefront. They have husbands and sons far away, but face their separation with determination and courage.
As members of the Calgary Red Triangle Hostesses, they prepare meals, roll bandages, and pack parcels, all the time supporting each other with laughter, tears, song and dance.
Director Kirstin Humpherys is passionate about this play.
“It is so much part of Canadian history,” she says. “There are still so many people who lived the lives of these women.”
With detailed period costumes by Gail Limber and an evocative sound design by Chuck Massey, this play is not only perfect for its time, but is timeless.
Here in the Comox Valley, families still wait during war.
They still live day by day hoping that no news will come. They know all too well that in wartime, what comes as news is all too often news they have dreaded.
Waiting for the Parade is a moving, entertaining and uplifting production. It will be performed in the Sid Williams Theatre on April 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee April 15 at 2 p.m.
— Courtenay Little Theatre