By Norm Foster
Performed by Terry Barna and Janet Monid
Directed by Robert More
Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
June 12 to 30, 2007
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Coming, Going and Laughing
Here on the Flight Path is a study of the importance of moving on with life after divorce.
On second thought, you know what? It’s really not that deep – it’s just a lot of laughs.
John Cummings (Terry Barna) is living in an apartment following his divorce. He has a nice view from his balcony where he likes to relax, except that he’s on the flight path to the airport and noisy jets keep travelling over head. Still stinging from divorce, John says “Marriage is too much trouble. Next time, I’m gonna find a woman I hate and buy her a house.” He writes a newspaper column entitled ‘Cummings & Goings’, and it’s the comings and goings at the next door apartment that make this play
Each year, a different woman moves in next door. Janet Monid handles all three roles perfectly. First she’s Fay, the consultant …. um, er, hooker. After Fay, comes Angel, the young wanna-be actress. Next we have Gwen, the recently separated driving instructor.
In a change from the usual, there are two intermissions in this comedy – one after each neighbour moves out. Here on the Flight Patch is written by Norm Foster, Canada’s premier comic playwright. The clever double entendres are reminiscent of Foster’s Looking that was at VPP two years ago, or The Foursome, Foster’s golf comedy that has been staged at VPP, Huron Country Playhouse II and The Grand Theatre in recent years.
The set is well done – two apartment balconies are featured, with a wall in between that is just the right height to slide over. The balconies provide some of the physical comedy, to go with the witty script.
Both Barna and Monid handle the comic roles well. Last summer, Barna was Noodles Feghetti in Too Many Cooks at VPP, and has worked with both Director Robert More and co-star Monid in the past. Monid was the original Fay/Angel/Gwen and toured with Here on the Flight Path. She makes each of the three women interesting individuals, so much so that an audience member behind me refused to believe that it was all the same actress!
For a good evening of entertaining fun with talented performers, catch the next flight over to Petrolia International Airport before the end of the month.
Here on the Flight Path continues with eight shows a week at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia until June 30. Call the box office at 1-800-717-7694 or (519) 882-1221 for tickets.