The Whitefish River
Created by Jessie Bergeron
Performed by Cathy Lynn Symonds and Michael MacLean
Produced by Jessienoca Productions (Ottawa, Canada)
60M | Comedy
Content Warning: Guns and Abrupt Loud Noise, Mature Language, Sexual Content, Audience Violence
By Nathan Erb
Northern hospitality goes south in this thriller about cottage country, family, and human connection.
The action begins when a mysterious woman called Jen, exhausted from her frantic paddling, arrives at a luxurious cottage belonging to an equally mysterious man named Norm. The show, ranging from comedic to thrilling, presents a welcome range of emotions handled brilliantly by the actors. But behind its thrills and twists, the show boasts a heartfelt, tender story that allows the viewer to drift into the world of the Whitefish River and feel as though they are at the cottage themselves, sitting in the same Muskoka chairs as Jen (Cathy Lynn Symonds) and Norm (Michael MacLean).
The play’s heart lies in the pair’s conversations about what the Whitefish River means to them. These intimate moments centre on vivid memories of family, the north, and of course, fried fish. But, as noted, this show doesn’t dwell on idealism. It grounds itself in the often-undiscussed financial burden of cottage life as it dives into its characters’ backstories. Indeed, the actors present the show’s drama with an eeriness that fits swimmingly into its image of cottage life. Despite Jen and Norm’s fondness for the river, tragedy runs deep in it for them both, and it’s up to them to make something of their losses. But what kind of connection can two people build in such a conflicted place? And do Jen and Norm have more in common than they think? The Whitefish River has its audience asking these questions until the very end.
The Whitefish River promises to shake up how you think about the cottage as a place, so check out this compelling, Gothic reimagining of the “cottage” or the “camp.”
The Whitefish River by Jessie Bergeron is playing at Studio 1201 until June 24, 2023. Visit ottawafringe.com/fringe/ for the schedule and box office info. Read more reviews at https://apt613.ca/category/festival/fringe/.
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