Ethan Claymore : a warm feel-good family show that is just right for the Christmas Season

Tim Oberholzer as Ethan Claymore. Photo: Andrew Alexander

A feel good story of complicated family relations, headed by the shy, retiring, slightly recluse Ethan Claymore who has withdrawn from social life for five years because of his wife’s death. Thanks to a well-intentioned interfering neighbour, a caring school teacher and a ghost seeking redemption, he is dragged out of his state of mourning and brought back to life. Paul Rainville plays the volatile, hilarious neighbour Douglas Mclaren, , bristling with energy, excitement and with just as much chili pepper as they put into that hot chocolate that was served after the show. Rainville stole the show hands down. No matter however, because we know that when Paul Rainville makes his moves on stage, he overflows with so much temperament and stage magic that no one can overcome his presence. This time was no exception.

Nevertheless, Ethan Claymore works because the actors eventually take the characters in hand, find their own rhythms, their own way through it all with the help of director John P. Kelly who also integrated some Christmas music in the appropriate spots. There were some beautiful moments when Ethan (Tim Oberholzer) that shy , awkward and terribly unexperienced egg salesman meets the bubbly and adorable Sarah Finn as Miss Teresa Pike, the divinely nervous ,jittery but outgoing school teacher who takes the initiative  and invites him to dinner. During that scene I even forgot that  Oberholzer was acting.  As this lovely new relationship starts developing, there are flashbacks marked by David Magladry’s interesting use of lights and colours. There is also the appearance of the young Ethan and his older brother Martin (two young people who underplayed their roles perfectly) who try to show the origins of their difficult past relations, thus hoping to explain the return of Martin (an ethereal David Frisch who lights up the stage) seeking redemption before his final voyage, “up there”. 

It all concerns family, and trust, and love and a sense of community as well as a certain kind of spirituality that comes over people at this time of year. All that is of course a question of taste and the good feelings never become maudlin or too sentimental. It is all perfectly suited for children and since director John P. Kelly knows his audience, they should flock to this one.

No matter that the first part of the evening took a while to get off the ground. Opening night was full of surprises  as the second act came back to life from a slower beginning . We assume that the rest of the run (until Dec. 22) will take its cues from the second act and keep it all moving.

This is a family show so bring your children (not toddlers);  they will l adore the good hearted Ethan Claymore, they will love  Teresa Pike the school teacher with the nervous smile and the intense desire to do her job properly.

We are glad to see set designer Roy Hansen-Robitschek back in Ottawa with a solid and stylish design that allowed for lots of activity outside the invisible front door and  in the area outside the house . Costume and props by Patrice-Ann Forbes, especially those baggy work overalls, which contributed to the country farm atmosphere, especially since the outdoor space was never visible from the stage.

Just the sort of quiet family entertainment for Christmas that certainly does not have the pizazz of musical theatre but that conjures up the right spirit and makes the notions of family values something positive.

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 Man

Teresa Pike Sarah Finn

Martin Claymore David Frisch.