ITOPA’s ‘Bingo!’ filled with lots of nostalgia for the 80s and high school memories

(Left to right) Rebecca McNall and Mark Tindall. (Emily Stewart Photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

There’s plenty of 80s nostalgia when walking by the Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts (ITOPA) building and passing by the window display. It features elements of 80s fashion and music, a crucial part of ITOPA’s latest production, Bingo!

ITOPA’s take on Daniel MacIvor’s Bingo! will run from March 6 to 15. MacIvor, a Canadian playwright, reunites five friends in their hometown 30 years after graduating high school.

The characters reflect on old times, share what’s happening with their lives now, and will reveal more secrets as the reunion progresses and more drinks are poured.

"There's a lot of bickering and a lot of old-time friends that are getting together that don't really hang out all that often, so the energy of the room can be a little awkward or a little sad at times, so the energy and the feeling of the play shifts around a lot,” said director Vix Ledgley. “But it's a lot of fun as well as seeing the characters slowly but surely getting intoxicated, opening up to each other, and figuring out secrets."

Bingo! will mark the first time Ledgley is directing solo after co-directing Inspecting Carol with Rebecca McNall. They said that the solo-directing experience provides learning opportunities behind the scenes, such as putting a poster together.

“One of my biggest learning curves was definitely being confident in how the actors are moving and what the show's going to look like and what it needs for sure, but it's definitely been a lot of fun,” Ledgley said of solo-directing. “It's something that I really enjoy and hopefully I can come back to ITOPA and do a few more shows."

They also gave lots of praise for the board, cast and crew of the show for making the process run smoothly.

“They really make the play as exciting and fun as it is, so honestly I would just recommend coming and seeing the play just to have fun, have a good time and indulge in maybe a little bit of awkwardness and some 80s nostalgia,” Ledgley said.

Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m. and afternoon matinee shows begin at 2 p.m. Tickets can either be purchased by calling 519-485-3070 or online via itopa.ca.