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Many Hats takes on poignant and touching drama

Many Hats Theatre Company is presenting the touching and poignant reconciliation of a father and his daughter in Jessie’s Landing.
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Many Hats Theatre Company ptake on the touching and poignant drama Jessie’s Landing starring Elyse Blais (left) as Jessie and Eric Hanston as her father Harold. The play opens Thursday and runs until Dec. 7.

Many Hats Theatre Company is presenting the touching and poignant reconciliation of a father and his daughter in Jessie’s Landing.

This will be the Western Canadian premiere of the heart-warming story of one family almost broken by tragedy that uses wit and wisdom to triumph over their demons.

After four years away, Jessie (played by Elyse Blais) lands unaccounted at her father’s front door. She’s decided to start a new chapter in her life, but is not quite sure what he’ll think of her decision.

First, her father Harold (played by Eric Hanston) has news of his own. In the process of coming to grips with their respective plans, the truth surrounding events of the past is revealed.

“It is a lovely story. It is not rollicking roll down the aisle with hilarity but it is not all dark and gloom. It is a little heavier than the most recent things we have done,” said Ed Schneider, publicist for Many Hats. “It has a wonderful warm message and all’s well that ends well if Shakespeare will pardon us for stealing that one.”

Jessie’s Landing was penned by playwright John Spurway, who also wrote Between Friends and Grounded.

Many Hats director Tammy Hansel takes the position of director on this production, Paul Varga and Ben Amos are producers and Sue Gibbs is the stage manager.

Blais has performed with Many Hats Theatre Company before in the 2011 production of Christmas Belles.

“She is a fabulous young actress,” said Schneider.

Hanston is a Many Hats regular, having been part of The Murder Room, Storm Warning and others as an actor and has taken on roles in directing and producing in the past. As a two-person play, Schneider said there is a lot of breaking the fourth wall in Jessie’s Landing.

“That is where one of them will come out and talk to the audience which moves the story along quite nicely,” he said. “It is just a great show and perfect for this time of year. It is heart-warming on a cold November evening. It is all about family and being together, so it is very appropriate show for right before the holidays.”

Jessie’s Landing is the last play for Many Hats sixth season. A lineup for their seventh season has been released and will include For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, Boeing Boeing, Caught In The Net, Quartet and Marion Bridge.

Jessie’s Landing opens on the Cannery Stage in the Cannery Trade Centre (1475 Fairview Rd.) on Thursday and runs until Dec. 7. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

The opening night performance will be followed by a reception in the adjoining Opus Bistro Café which will offer an opportunity to meet the cast and crew.

Reserved seat tickets are $22 for adults and $19 for students and seniors. These are available at the Wine Country Visitor’s Centre or reserved by phone at 250-276-2170 or toll free at 1-800-663-5052.