‘The Island Summer Review’ returns to Harmony House Theatre
In the supermarket, when Islanders bump into comedian Patrick Ledwell or musician Mark Haines, they’ve been asking, “Back this year? Are you doing your thing out at the place, there?”
What they’re really asking, in mainland standard English: “Is The Island Summer Review returning to Harmony House Theatre in Hunter River?” And the answer is yes – all-new and more Canadian than ever.
For the past several summers, Ledwell and Haines have created an original set of Island stories, with up-to-the-minute humour, diverse musical styles and a foot-stomping blend of everything between. The show hits the stage on July 5, and runs every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night at 8 p.m., until Sept. 8.
For this fifth season, the show will take a special look at how the smallest province in Canada fits into a huge country, as Canada celebrates its 150th birthday.
“P.E.I. is in constant conversation with the rest of Canada,” says show Ledwell. “One day, we’re being left off the Vancouver airport map. The next, we’re hearing New Brunswick try to take away our status as Birthplace of Canada. With all these cannon shots in the news, there’s plenty of fodder for new comedy.”
The show promises standup jokes, heartfelt folksongs, fiddles and trumpets and lots of crowd participation.
“I’m bringing everything I own,” says Haines. “I’m excited to play everything from blues guitar to traditional fiddle and even loop a rap track, all in the same show.
“I am particularly looking forward to our salute Canada’s 150th. We have a song that wraps up the whole story of the Founding Fathers in a neat six minutes. You gotta hear it!”
For ticket details, visit Harmony House Theatre online at www.harmonyhousetheatre. com or call the TicketPro box office at 1-888-311-9090.