After his retirement from the Canadian Senate, the Hon. Sarsfield O’Donohue is deeply troubled.
He finds he is unable to write his much-awaited memoirs. He becomes more upset when a longtime friend dies suddenly and he is unable to grieve in public. Consequently, he invites three old friends to his house for a quiet Celebration of Life ceremony.
Fuelled by alcohol, this ‘celebration’ proves both sombre and hilarious as the four friends ponder the demise of their mutual acquaintance. Their attempts at humour lead to poking barbs at each other, which in turn result in nasty exchanges and the revelation of long-hidden secrets.
Presented by the Comox Valley Writers’ Society in co-operation with the Courtenay Public Library, A Celebration Of Life is a one-act play by Comox Valley humourist Des Lindo. It will be a staged reading by members of the writers’ society’s newly formed Dramatic Ensemble.
Performing as O’Donohue will be Mark Allan, former editor of The Record. Bill Fradgley will play his good-for-nothing brother-in-law; singer and performer Eugene Hrushowy is cast as the most decent member of the bunch, and Keith Wallace will generate most of the laughs as the annoying know-it-all Savvy Saavedra.
The performance will take place Tuesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. in the Utility Room at the Courtenay Public Library. After their booing and hissing, audience members will be allowed to ask questions or make useful comments on the performance. You might even be served tea and cookies.