by Mark DuMez

We're kicking off our 20th Season of live professional theatre in the heart of Vancouver Island with a new Canadian comedy from the fertile mind of Ken Cameron. One of the goals of the Chemainus Theatre Festival, in seeking plays that nourish and explore the human spirit, is to support new Canadian plays and adaptations. Ken is an accomplished playwright and this show, which has been produced across Canada since 2007, is a fitting piece for our stage. It's a play about two honest people with an admirable work ethic and moral fibre - the kind of people you meet every day on this great Island. Harvest is based the story of his parents. He describes the event as "both deeply disturbing and very comic for them, and they showed great perseverance in dealing with the incident."

He's drawn many fine characters, and I am happy to have long-time audience favourite Norma Bowen and skilled storyteller Brian Linds at the centre of our story. Norma has performed and designed over 40 shows here at Chemainus Theatre, crafting a body of work that is strong and diverse. Brian is coming off the heals of his fantastic work at the Art's Club in another new Canadian play, The Patron Saint of Stanley Park, and brings his own long list of acting and design experience. I was pleased when these two Vancouver Island residents and theatre veterans signed on for a storytelling journey that requires them not only to switch in and out of multiple characters, but also to share the same character in the same scene. Hat's off - and on - to both of you.

Since finding the play I was surprised to learn that people I have known for years have been tricked in similar fashion. What I found intriguing in this, was not the plotting or the crime, but the sincere and trusting outlook on life that always wants to see the best in others and works to peacefully resolve even the stickiest situations. As Ken put it in the Caledon Citizen, "Harvest is a play about the rediscovery of a deep abiding love while struggling through the crucible of a crisis." And, in this case, crisis makes for comedy. Enjoy the show.