An intimate crowd at Fables Club enjoyed a short play performed by Dorothy Patriquin, left, and Gary Blackwood during an evening of theatre called Pub Plays held on Wednesday, Feb. 10. (Saieva photos)

TATAMAGOUCHE: A unique entertainment experience called Pub Plays took place at Fables Club the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 10. The North Shore Performing Arts Society participated in an evening of live performances in an intimate atmosphere.
Local actors performed four very different short plays without sets and with minimal use of props. The lack of sets removed all physical distractions and allowed the audience to focus solely on the performers and what they had to say.
The first performance of the evening was Fairy Tale written by Tracey Wilson. The play, starring Amanda Heitkemper and Bobbie MacKinnon, explores a couple’s relationship with Walmart and each other.
When the couple realizes they are spending too much time shopping they try to break up with the conglomerate. However, they find that Walmart isn’t interested in letting them go so easily.
The second piece featured Grace Holmes and Dorothy Patriquin. Wake, by David Widdicombe, lets us in on a conversation between a newly widowed woman named Ellen and the funeral home mortician’s daughter, Chloe.
Despite Chloe’s conscious efforts to do as her father tells her and not speak to the families of the deceased, she finds herself delving deep into discussion with Ellen. The pair initially seems incapable of carrying on a conversation. However, as the story unfolds, they find that they are able to relate to one another through their experiences with grief.
Eric Allen and Jayne Holmes shared the stage during Blueberry Waltz, a piece written by Liz Amberly. In the play, a married couple – Keith and Deb - finds it difficult to find solace after a mining accident threatened the Keith’s life.
Upon his safe arrival home Deb makes it her mission to prepare his favourite breakfast - blueberry waffles - for him every single morning. As Keith tries to explain that it’s unnecessary for her to do so, he realizes a hidden meaning behind Deb’s madness. It’s the little things in life that make living worthwhile.
The last performance of the evening was Post-Its: Notes on a Marriage, written by Paul Dooley and Winnie Holzman. The play, as acted by Gary Blackwood and Dorothy Patriquin, explores a couple’s relationship from beginning to end entirely through messages left to one another on Post-it Notes.
Post-Its offered a unique opportunity to read between the lines in this intimate, yet comedic piece. Not much can be written on a Post-it Note and often times the audience was left to jump to their own conclusions. The play was a fun commentary on just how much can be revealed through simple everyday gestures such as scrawls on a Post-it Note.
The North Shore Performing Arts Society will hold its next evening at the theatre on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5 at the Tatamagouche Fire Hall.