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Drama Canadian

Hilda's Yard

by (author) Norm Foster

Publisher
Playwrights Canada Press
Initial publish date
Mar 2019
Category
Canadian
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781770919662
    Publish Date
    Mar 2019
    List Price
    $15.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781770919686
    Publish Date
    Mar 2019
    List Price
    $10.99

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Description

Lemonade is for people who use the front door.

It’s an exciting summer day in 1956 for Hilda and Sam Fluck. Newly on their own since their thirtysomething children Gary and Janey moved out, they are finally ready to relax. Hilda plans to hang her laundry while Sam goes to buy a shiny new television. What could disturb their simple peace?

Turns out doors are merely decoration as Gary and Janey literally fall over the fence into the backyard, looking for help out of sticky situations. Gary has lost his job, is enamoured with his new girlfriend, Bobbi, and running from a bookie named Beverly, while the ever-dependent Janey has unexpectedly left her husband. The family careens into an afternoon of calamity, showing them that ultimately they must celebrate how they can be together rather than apart.

Norm Foster’s heartwarming and relatable family comedy proves that there will always be a significant weight to an empty nest.

About the author

Norm Foster was born in Newmarket, Ontario on St. Valentineâ??s Day. Raised in Toronto, he attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and then went on to study Radio and Television Arts at Centennial College in Toronto and then Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Upon completion of his studies, he began a radio career that would span twenty-five years and which would take him from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg to Kingston and finally to Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was in Fredericton in 1980 that Norm was introduced to the world of theatre. Foster fell in love with the theatre right then and there, and two years later he penned his first professionally produced play, Sinners. It was produced by Theatre New Brunswick and directed by Malcolm Black, who would also direct Fosterâ??s next effort, the highly successful, The Melville Boys. The Melville Boys would go on to be produced across Canada and in the United States, including a well-received run Off Broadway in New York. It would become Fosterâ??s signature play, and the one which would bring his name to the forefront of Canadian theatre. Since then, Norm Foster has produced an astonishing output of work. Nearly forty plays in all, including The Affections of May, the most produced play in Canada in 1991. He has also written a musical with composer Leslie Arden (The Last Resort) and three musicals (Jasper Station, Race Day, and Sitting Pretty) with composer Steve Thomas.

Norm Foster's profile page

Excerpt: Hilda's Yard (by (author) Norm Foster)

Sam: So, she’s living at home again?

Hilda: For the time being anyway.

Sam: And we’re supposed to start supporting her again. At thirty years old?

Hilda: Well, Sam, we don’t know anything for sure yet. It could be a very temporary arrangement. You know how Janey changes her mind so quickly.

Sam: Well, I hope it’s temporary. I hope it’s very temporary.

Gary enters from the house carrying a beer and a sandwich.

Hilda: It’ll be fine, dear.

Sam: I suppose it could be worse. I mean she doesn’t eat as much as Gary does.

Gary: Hi, Dad.

Sam: Gary? What are you doing here?

(to Hilda) What’s he doing here?

Hilda: Gary lost his job and is on the run from a bookie. He’s lying low here.

(to Gary) Is that what they call it, dear? Lying low?

Gary: That’s it.

Sam notices the sandwich in Gary’s hand.

Sam: Is that a sandwich?

Gary: Yeah.

Sam: You’re eating a sandwich?

Gary: Yeah.

Sam: And is that a Black Label? You’re drinking my ten-cents-a-bottle Black Label beer and eating a five-cent sandwich? Who said you could drink my Black Label beer?

Gary: I’ll pay you for it.

Sam: How, Gary? How will you pay me for it? I just heard a rumour that you’re out of work. If that’s true, how will you pay me for my Black Label beer? Tell me, because I’m very curious!

Hilda: Sam, calm down. Gary, take your father inside and get him a beer and explain everything to him. I’ve got to get this laundry in and I haven’t even started supper yet.

Gary and Sam move towards the house.

Gary: That’s a nice console television set you got.

Sam: You keep your hands off that television set. And no more sandwiches!!

Editorial Reviews

"Norm Foster has a gift for comedy but in his work Hilda's Yard the Canadian playwright also delves into the complexity of relationships—particularly within families. It's comedy with a message."

Valerie Hill, Waterloo Region Record

"Hilda's Yard hits home with laughter, insight and nostalgia to boot."

Marie Male, Wellington Advertiser