Government bureaucrats have bungled your paperwork - what's new about that? But it gathers a new spin when the government handouts actually occur in your favour. Eric, the star of Driftwood Players' latest comedy, Cash on Delivery, is out of work so he decides to scam the welfare department without letting on to his wife or family. He is wildly successful. Before too long, in typical British farce fashion, the misunderstandings, mistaken identities and jokes pile up, forcing Eric into hilarious predicaments in this two act play by Michael Cooney. It's a good thing everyone at Driftwood is laughing, because this particular comedy has been beset by difficulties. A new lead had to be drafted into the production two weeks ago; the play now features Brian Harbison in the part of Eric. It lacked a producer until actress Marcia Forst was recruited. Last January, favourite set designer Tim Easterbrook died. Easterbrook had not only been involved in the local artists' community but had built many of the stage sets for previous Driftwood productions. However, through it all, Driftwood was never short of one commodity - interest from the community. "The nicest thing about this play is the new faces," says director Dave Hurtubise. At the auditions, they were swamped with talented hopefuls. Isn't this what community theatre is all about, thought Hurtubise, and he decided to cast six understudies - all new to the stage - to learn along with the stellar cast of Kevin Crofton, Ed Smith, Ed White, Kim Drescher, Lynn Mackay, Karen Careless, Tim Anderson, Roberta Sainsbury and Berni Garrison.
The six understudies - Randy Schmidt, Jennifer Pherson, Karen Webb, Greg Stewart, Pamm Ruth and Betty Mah - will get their own show on Wednesday, March 24 and 31, when the audience can enjoy their new skills at half price. Cash on Delivery opens at the Heritage Playhouse on Thursday, March 18, and runs March 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and again on April 1, 2, 3 with one matinee on March 20. Tickets are at Coast Books, Talewind Books and at Hallmark Cards.
