Straight And Narrow will examine relationships under stress at Caledon Townhall

The cast of Straight and Narrow consists of (back row) Kim Blacklock (Director and Lois), Tom Nielson (Bill), Rick Swartzl (Arthur), Ann Rogers (Nona). The front row has Peter Watsham (Bob), Wendy Walker (Vera) and Gord Gardiner (Jeff).

The Caledon Townhall Players' winter production Straight and Narrow, by Jimmie Chinn, is a gritty, acerbic comedy, which takes a look at relationships under stress.

The central couple in this play are two men, Jeff and Bob. They are long-time partners both in their work and their lives and they have grown apart in their needs and desires. Bob is a homebody who loves his simple, basic life shared with Jeff. Jeff, on the other hand, is stifled by all the "togetherness" and longs for excitement and adventure. He also nurtures a secret desire to be a father. A holiday in Malta provides the catalyst to bring this conflict to a head.

Bob is the narrator of the story, gently leading the audience into the chaos of his life until unfolding events compel him to join the action of the play. He and Jeff must try to work through their differences against the backdrop of Bob's dysfunctional and meddling family.

The play is set in the north of England in the workingclass suburbs of Manchester.

Bob's family could have walked off the set of Coronation Street. There is his overbearing Mum, Vera, who never has a good word for anyone except Bob and can't understand "why he hasn't met a nice girl and got married." Bob's sisters, Lois and Nona, conspire to keep the truth from her while coping with their own chaotic lives. Lois is the rational one with feet firmly planted in a solid marriage with quiet, patient Bill. Together, they are producing a football team of children and Lois is pregnant again. Nona's husband Arthur has left her for a fling with another woman. Everyone treads very carefully around the subject, since the very mention of Arthur's name sends Nona into fits of hysterics.

The characters are compelling and their problems are familiar. This is a warm and funny play, which handles sensitive subjects with wit and humour. Directed by Kim Blacklock, Straight and Narrow opens Feb. 8 and runs three weekends until Feb 23. Show times are at 8:15 p.m. for Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:15 p.m. for matinees.

Tickets are $15 for evenings and $12 for Saturday matinees. Dinner/theatre is also available at Knox United Church, in the village for $28. Call the Box Office for reservations at (519) 927-5460.