On Friday night, I had the pleasure of taking in Hilda’s Yard by Norm Foster at the Ottawa Little Theatre. Before the play even begins, David Magladry’s beautiful set design takes the audience back in time to the 1950s, to a fully-realized backyard in small-town Southern Ontario. While she does the laundry, the titular character, Hilda, chats with an invisible neighbour about her two thirty-something children, Gary and Janey, who have finally left the nest. Her husband, Sam, soon joins her outside and we learn of his big plan to purchase a brand-new television, which they can afford now that they no longer have to support their son’s expensive eating habits. Hilarity ensues when both adult children return to the family home with all of their baggage, both literal and figurative.
Teal Cochrane in the role of Hilda is cool and confident, a real professional. Her comedic timing is unmatched and her clear handle on her character and the script mean the audience can sit back and enjoy, knowing they are in good hands. Another standout actor is Lawrence Evenchick, who portrays a bookie by the distinctive name of Beverly. He somehow manages to make the loquacious thug’s journey from public enemy number one to honorary member of the family completely plausible.
The beginning of the play is packed with nostalgia and comedy derived from the differences (and surprising similarities!) between life three quarters of a century ago and life today. However, the play took an unexpected turn for me when the quippy dialogue and easy laughs turned to talk of domestic violence. I found the shift jarring and I struggled to return to my earlier, unimpeded enjoyment of the story. Later in the play, Gary’s love-interest, Bobbi, delivers a line about the day being a lot of fun, not counting Janey’s disturbing revelation. I couldn’t agree more: the play IS a lot of fun! I only wish that the more serious subject matter had been handled more delicately or not been introduced at all, but I suppose that’s something I’d need to take up with the great Canadian playwright himself.
Other than my unease around the topic of domestic violence, I must commend the entire creative team behind Hilda’s Yard for taking its audience on an enjoyable trip down memory lane. I left the theatre feeling grateful to have witnessed the work of so many talented and committed Ottawa artists. In fact, I told my grandmother she should catch it before the run ends on August 3rd. And so should you! Get your tickets at https://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/buy-tickets/.
Review by: “JB” for Covert Ottawa Guy
