Two reporters dress up as clergymen to infiltrate the convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing since, rumour has it, some of the best wine around is produced. Lies, deceit, alcohol, and a whole lot of shenanigans ensue in The Lakeside Players production of Drinking Habits from May 1-4.
“Everything’s a big secret, and they’re all undercover,” says director Michelle Robb. “There’s some romance, there’s lots of comedy, and some really touching scenes. So there’s a little bit of everything in it.”
The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing are all — wait for it — seamstresses, who make wine to raise money for their church and convent. The nuns’ Mother Superior is strictly against alcohol, and things get complicated when two reporters arrive to find out more about this very popular concoction.
Photo from Drinking Habits rehearsal. Photo provided.
“So this wine is award-winning, and two reporters are sent to go undercover to find out what’s going on with this amazing wine that all the locals rave about.”
Drinking Habits is a farce, which means its fast-paced humour really puts not only the actors but the whole crew on their toes. Robb says that working with a seasoned cast such as this one is definitely a bonus — one of the cast members is also a director. This has given her many opportunities for collaboration and feedback during rehearsals.
“I’ve worked with most of [this cast] before, if not all of them in some capacity. So they’ve performed in farces before,” she says. “Whether it’s with body language, or your movement, your blocking on stage, or how you deliver your lines, that’s how we keep up the pace.”
Photo from Drinking Habits rehearsal. Photo provided.
The Lakeside Players began in 1991 in the community of Britannia, and has been drawing in members from Ottawa and the Ottawa region ever since. Robb first joined the Lakeside Players in 2004.
Since then, Robb has received mentorship and a plethora of experiences — from acting, to stage managing, and now directing.
“This is my third show with the Lakeside Players,” says Robb. “I’ve worked with two directors in the past who have really guided me in terms of giving me the tools and the confidence to direct. And just to shout out, they would be John Muggleton who is a local playwright and director, and this past summer, I was an assistant director under Christine Pressberger with the Kanata Theatre’s 10 Minute Play Festival.”
Photo from Drinking Habits rehearsal. Photo provided.
Robb says that she not only hopes audiences come out to enjoy the show — there are only four performances running — but that residents from all over the Ottawa region find community with the Lakeside Players.
“The Lakeside Players is based in Britannia, and we’d like to encourage not only residents of Britannia and the Bay Area, but all over Ottawa to come and check us out,” she says. “We’re a small theatre, we’re very community oriented, and a little family.”
Make sure to get your tickets to Drinking Habits, performing from May. 1-4 at the Lakeside Players. Tickets are on sale now, and you can get them online.
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