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Love Letters on stage at the Blackhorse Theatre

January 25, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Many people have life-long friends they rarely see but keep in contact with.

When they do get together, it’s like no time has passed at all.

The Blackhorse Village Players Theatre production of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney spans several decades in the lives of two people who first met in the second grade.

The cast of this production rotates through three different line-ups of actors during the run of the play on the Blackhorse stage.

Opening early in the lives of two people, we meet Mellisa, played by Cora Kennedy. Mellisa comes from a well-to-do family, although it is a fragile home-life atmosphere 

that leaves her in constant conflict. 

In the role of Andrew, Ian Hemming is a nice guy who also comes from a nice family that is a little more down to earth, which sets the tone for Andrew’s future.  

The two begin exchanging letters. At first, much of their banter is childish nonsense, in keeping with their age.

As they grow older, they are apart but continue to write to each other, and their writing matures as they get older.

Melissa and Andrew are separated by distance as each goes off to experience different things in life.

Sent to a strict boarding school, Melissa finds the routine to be intolerable and complains to Andrew about her situation.

Andrew also goes off to school, but he thrives in his environment and tries to achieve success in everything he does.

Over the years, they continue to write, telling each other about their place in life and their experiences along the way.

They also meet every now and then but never are able to form a lasting bond.

As their lives progress, they both take very different paths along the way.

No one, not even Mellisa or Andrew, could fathom what might have happened if they actually got together, rather than just writing.

For Mellisa, writing is a way of keeping connected, although she would prefer a telephone call. 

For Andrew, writing letters is much more of a cathartic experience.

The play is delivered in a way where the actors deliver their lines through their writing over a span of around 50 years.

The play is directed by Melanie Burgess and produced by Jo-Anne Pulfer.

During the second week of the play’s run, the production will star Lauri Laing as Mellisa and Peter Cianfarani as Andrew.

During the third week, Olivia Jon, will be in the role of Mellisa and Ted Powers will take on the role of Andrew.

Love Letters will be on the Blackhorse Village Players Theatre stage through to February.

The Blackhorse Theatre is currently partnering with local artists and exhibiting their work in the theatre lobby.

You can view the artwork before seeing a show or during intermission.

For tickets to Love Letters or more information, visit the website at www.blackhorsetheatre.ca.

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