Ethan Claymore : a nuanced and observant production for Same Day Theatre that underlines the play’s strengths.

Poster for the production found on http://www.theatreottawa.com/professional-theatre1.html   Norm Foster’s Ethan Claymore is a piece of Yuletide whimsy about a widowed egg farmer and the shade of a recently deceased brother who’s been detained on earth to make peace with the sibling from whom he has been long estranged.

This is the sort of play where you are able to anticipate how things are going to end long before the final curtain. It is, unabashedly and unapologetically, a feel-good script that knows the right buttons to push in winning an audience over. 

But John P. Kelly’s nuanced, observant production for Same Day Theatre also underlines the play’s strengths and reminds us that — within his own universe — Norm Foster is an accomplished craftsman adept at shaping character and creating interesting situations, no matter how familiar the basic working material may seem to be.

Tim Oberholzer’s gently comic work as the grieving Ethan is tinged with melancholy but also reveals an essential goodness of spirit. David Frisch, in the tougher role of Martin, the spectral sibling, combines aggressive worldliness with a gnawing awareness of what he has squandered: although he has screwed up his life and relationships badly, he can still — maybe — find redemption. Sarah Finn has the right combination of gaucheness and charm as the gentle school teacher who tries to enter Ethan’s world. And Paul Rainville is a robust, garrulous delight as Ethan’s matchmaking neighbour. On opening night, Nicholas Hutchison and Draeven McGowan helped make us understand the troubled dynamic between the two brothers with their convincing flashbacks as the young Ethan and the young Martin. Designer roy Hansen-robitschek’s kitchen set is generally serviceable.

You’ll find smatterings of Blithe Spirit and It’s A Wonderful Life here — but no matter. Thanks to Kelly’s direction, the pathos is never overdone and the comedy, whether boisterous or gentle, is rooted in truth. Foster has an affection for ordinary people, and it shines through in this sweet-natured, likeable offering.

Ethan Claymore plays at the Gladstone until December 22.

A Production of Same Day Theatre

Directed by John P. Kelly

Set by roy Hansen-robitschek

Lighting by David Magladry

Sound design by Steven Lafond

Cast:

Paul Rainville — Douglas McLaren

Tim Oberholzer — Ethan Claymore

Nicholas Hutchison — Young Ethan

Draeven McGowan — Young Martin

Teresa Pike — Sarah Finn

Martin Claymore — David Frisch.