Estranged Family Love

Reviewed by Mary Alderson

Norm Foster’s plays are often about relationships gone bad or dysfunctional families. Yet he tucks humour into his stories where it is least expected, and makes the audience laugh.  And usually, the relationship problems are fixed and the play ends on a happy note.

Now on stage at the Globus Theatre south of Bobcaygeon, Come Down From Up River follows this format – after many years, an attempt is made to bring together estranged family members, and there are humorous stories to be told.  And although there isn’t a completely happy ending (no spoilers here, I won’t explain that), it comes to an almost satisfying conclusion.

Liv and Bonnie are a biracial, lesbian couple. Bonnie is an ambitious lawyer, moving ahead in her career. Olivia or “Liv” is a graphic designer, working from the home they share in St. John, New Brunswick. 

They get a message from Bonnie’s Uncle, Shaver, whom she hasn’t seen in many years, and it’s obvious they weren’t on good terms the last time she saw him.  He lives in the north, and says he has to come to the hospital for tests and asks to stay with them.

Bonnie is against it, but Liv convinces her this is what family does for each other. Liv says Bonnie should welcome Shaver and put her differences in her back pocket.

Bonnie has an important meeting at her office, so it is left to Liv to welcome Shaver to their home. But she is reluctant to tell Shaver they are a married couple, or they’ve been
“churched” as Shaver says. Bonnie warns her he is likely a racist homophobe.

The stage is literally set for a sexist, homophobic, racist blow-up. But the story progresses with humour and a lot of heart.

James Barrett is perfect as Shaver Bennett, unsure of what he is getting into with his niece Bonnie. We feel his bewilderment, coming to the city from his home in the woods where he is a logger. We also see his concern for his health. Barrett delivers the funny lines with perfect deadpan comedic timing.

Tara Koehler as Bonnie makes us feel her discomfort and anger about her past issues with her uncle, who was once like a father to her. Koehler gives us a driven lawyer; anything outside her work is not important right now. Jajube Mandiela is a lively Liv, eager to meet Bonnie’s only family member, and going out of her way to try to smooth things over. Her fast talk and nervous energy add to the laughs.

Credit goes to director Sarah Quick for creating three different individuals with very different personalities, then letting the audience watch them grow.

The set is well done, with kitchen and living space for the audience to see, but we know there are stairs taking the characters up to the bedrooms.

Foster has written about 70 plays since 1980, and some of his earlier works haven’t aged well. However, this play, written in 2018, tackles concerns for today’s audiences. It is a sweet, heart-warming story, that will make you laugh and cry, and then laugh again.

Come Down From Up River continues at the Globus Theatre, Lakeview Arts Barn near Bobcaygeon, until July 5. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 705-738-2037 or 1-800-304-7897 or visit https://www.lakeviewartsbarn.com/globus-current-season . Remember to book ahead for their three-course dinner before the show. The home-cooked meals are always perfectly presented and extremely delicious.

Photo: Bonnie (Tara Koehler), Liv (Jajube Mandiela), and Shaver (James Barrett) in Come Down From Up River. Photo by R.A. Bloom Creations & Photography. 

Come Down From Up River
By Norm Foster
Directed by Sarah Quick
Performed by James Barrett, Tara Koehler, Jajube Mandiela
Globus Theatre, Bobcaygeon
June 25 to July 5, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson