University Players presents award-winning Canadian satire

University Players continues its 54th season with Cat Delaney’s hilarious comedy Welfarewell. The play runs November 22 to December 2 at Essex Hall Theatre.

This witty satire, winner of the 2009 Samuel French Canadian Playwriting Competition, is a show that must be seen. It tells the story of Esmerelda, a retired actress living off a meagre pension. She is arrested for burying her cat in the front yard, because she has no money for a cremation. After a night in jail, she realizes all her problems could be solved: she has three square meals, heat, and free medication! Esmerelda then commits a series of bizarre crimes—how far will she go just to stay in jail?

“This is a funny, touching and deft exploration of our social welfare and support systems,” says the play’s director, guest artist Liza Balkan, but also a story about a life. “We dance through this life, don’t we: We two step, march and glide. We come up against brick walls, dance around, break through, re-energize, hope and take action, share joy and hardship. And then there’s money: a glue that both binds us and separates us.”

Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. On Sunday, November 25, a “Talk Back” discussion with the director and actors will follow the performance. For information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.

Luncheon lecture to feature playwright

The production of Welfarewell will also mark the first event in this season’s Let’s Talk Theatre, a luncheon-lecture series produced by University Players and Uni-Com. The goal of the series is to provide opportunities to learn more about University Players and its productions.

The three-course lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 2, at the Freed-Orman Centre, University of Windsor. The play’s author, Cat Delaney, will talk about the show. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 519-253-3000 ext. 2808. The series continues with another luncheon prior to The Importance of Being Earnest on April 7, 2013. Discounts are available for those buying tickets for both lunches.

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