Is there a Doctor in the Village?
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
A funny and heart-warming musical has arrived at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto: Tell Tale Harbour. You might recognize the story as similar to the 2013 movie The Grand Seduction. A few changes have been made for the musical, all of which have created a more endearing story.
A small Newfoundland coastal village faces the closure of their only employer, a lobster packing plant. No jobs are available, and the lineup for unemployment cheques is long. Then they learn that they could get a frozen french fry factory. But they are up against stiff competition – all the other neighbouring communities that have lost their fish plants are after the french fry factory, too.
For the big company to consider the village, they must have a population over 3000 and a resident doctor. Well, the population is half that, and there’s no doctor. But local resident Frank doesn’t see that as a problem at all. He is a practised teller of tall tales, so he thinks he can easily embellish the numbers and seduce a doctor to stay.
Word spreads that a new doctor is arriving for a month, from the Doctors without Boarders organization. Immediately Frank springs into action to ensure the doctor will stay beyond that first month. Getting most of the town on board, he comes up with various deceptive plans to convince the doctor he will love it in Tell Tale Harbour.
The doctor is from England, so immediately the Legion Hall starts serving warm beer. They learn he is a cricket player and fan, so the Legion TV is flipped to a channel watching cricket, but when the doctor goes to the washroom, it flips back to the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens.
I can’t reveal any more of the deceptions because I don’t want to spoil it, but suffice to say they get more outrageous and more hilarious.
Frank, the puppet-master behind all the deceptions/seductions is played perfectly by Alan Doyle. Doyle is known mainly for his band Great Big Sea and songwriting, but he has a lifetime of film acting credits, too. Doyle makes Frank a cheating scallywag who is also the lovable rogue.
Kale Penny, with his soaring singing voice plays Dr. Chris. I have seen Penny on stage many times, but I feel this role is his best work yet. He has created an outsider, who although bewildered by his surroundings does his best to help out. He also nails his English accent.
Melissa Mackenzie is Kathleen, the beautiful young botanist and shop owner in the village. Mackenzie’s beautiful crystal voice is perfect in her solo “Something Real and True”. She and Penny’s duet “Gotta Get Lost” is a beautiful story in itself.
The rest of the cast are loud and lusty singers and the audience thoroughly enjoys the tunes. They are also great comedic actors and keep the laughs coming.
The set is a charming doll-house sized village. We are also invited in to the Legion Hall and Kathleen’s shop, as well Frank’s bedroom. Everything is authentic but delightful at the same time.
Don’t miss this charming new musical. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny and the songs range from ballads that tug your heart strings, to hand-clapping, foot-stomping Newfoundland-style tunes. It’s a sweet slice of Canadiana guaranteed to warm your heart and make you smile, even through tough times. It comes to Toronto from the Charlottetown Festival, so let’s hope it continues its journey across Canada.
Tell Tale Harbour continues with eight shows a week at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario until November 2. Call 1-800-461-3333 or visit www.mirvish.com for tickets.
Photo: Alan Doyle as Frank, with Kale Penny as Dr. Chris. Photo by Wade Muir.
Tell Tale Harbour
Musical adaptation by Adam Brazier, Alan Doyle, Bob Foster, Edward Riche.
Based pm the screenplay The Grand Seduction by Ken Scott
Directed by Brian Hill
Musical Direction by Bob Foster
Choreography by Robin Calvert
Performed by AP Bautista, Adam Brazier, Karen Burthwright, Joel Cumber, Alan Doyle, Stephen Guy-McGrath, Jacob Hemphill, Susan Henley, Gabrielle Jones, Connor Lucas, Melissa Mackenzie, Jamie McRoberts, Laurie Murdoch, Kale Penny, Kristen Pottle, Daniel Williston, Alison Woolridge.
The Royal Alexandra Theatre, 290 King St. W., Toronto
September 23 to November 2, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson