St. Marys Community Players promise fast-paced laughs with Boeing Boeing

The cast of St. Marys Community Players’ production of Boeing Boeing.

By Galen Simmons

The St. Marys Community Players (SMCP) is preparing to deliver a high-energy comedy later this month as cast and crew bring the classic farce, Boeing Boeing, to the stage at the Town Hall Theatre.

Directed by theatre veteran Ralph Small, the production blends rapid-fire dialogue, physical comedy and precisely timed performances to create what Small describes as a fast, funny and technically demanding theatrical experience.

“It’s a particular kind of play – a farce – and I’ve loved watching this cast reveal their inner farceurs,” said Small. “It takes a lot of technical work. There’s slapstick, buffoonery, exaggerated situations and witty dialogue – it’s funny as hell. I describe farce as a collision of human behaviour under extreme circumstances of their own making, with everyone just trying to stay above water. It’s fast, it’s funny, it’s silly and very tongue-in-cheek, and we hope that translates to the audience.”

A recent Stratford resident, Small brings extensive professional experience to the production as an actor, director, dramaturge, writer and instructor. He has directed numerous Canadian plays as former artistic director of the Bluewater Summer Playhouse in Kincardine and the Highlands Summer Festival in Haliburton, and has worked with theatre companies including Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Orangeville and Tarragon Theatre.

Small has also taught theatre at the University of Toronto Mississauga and Sheridan College for 25 years and served as an adjudicator for Theatre Ontario, leading workshops for schools and community theatre groups across the province.

Despite his professional background, Small said he has been impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the local cast as they take on the unique challenges of farce.

“There’s no point in doing something unless you’re doing it as well as you possibly could,” Small said, noting the performers have embraced the timing and physical comedy required to make the production succeed.

Written by Marc Camoletti, Boeing Boeing centres on bachelor Bernard, who attempts to manage relationships with three airline hostesses, each unaware of the others, until unexpected schedule changes cause chaos when all three arrive at the same time. The play is known for its quick entrances and exits, exaggerated situations and witty dialogue.

The production marks Small’s first time directing with SMCP, though he said he was eager to become involved after learning about the organization’s reputation for producing high-quality community theatre.

“They take it very seriously, but they have some serious fun as well,” he said.

Like many community theatre productions, Boeing Boeing has been a collaborative effort involving volunteers from across the region, with cast and crew travelling from communities including Stratford, Cambridge, London and Ingersoll to take part.

Despite several winter-weather cancellations that forced the company to reschedule rehearsals, Small said the cast’s dedication has kept the production on track heading into opening night.

“They’re all doing it for the love of it,” he said. “They’ve been extremely welcoming and willing to put in the work to make this as strong as possible.”

The production features a mix of newcomers and familiar faces on the SMCP stage, each bringing their own energy and comedic timing to the fast-paced farce.

Rick Hastings takes on the role of Bernard, the charming bachelor attempting to keep his carefully scheduled romantic life from crashing down around him, while Alison Mullings plays Gretchen, the confident and determined Lufthansa hostess whose punctuality helps drive the play’s escalating chaos.

Sandy Stephens portrays Robert, Bernard’s visiting friend who quickly becomes entangled in the confusion, and returning performers Alex Pedersen and Jessica O’Connor appear as Gloria and Gabriella, two of Bernard’s fiancées whose unexpected overlap fuels the comedy. Ann Jackson rounds out the cast as Berthe, the observant maid who watches the chaos unfold with knowing wit.

Small said the cast has embraced both the technical demands and playful spirit of farce.

“This is a very committed group of performers who have really leaned into the rhythm and precision this kind of comedy requires,” said Small. “Each actor brings a distinct personality to their role, and together they create the kind of chemistry that makes farce work – it’s tightly timed, highly physical and full of energy. Watching them build that pace and confidence has been extremely rewarding.”

While audiences can expect plenty of laughs, Small said the play also offers relatable themes and provides a chance for theatregoers to escape everyday stresses.

“We want people to walk out feeling lighter,” he said. “We all need to escape once in a while and just enjoy the experience.”

Boeing Boeing runs from April 23 to May 9 at the Town Hall Theatre in St. Marys as part of SMCP’s 2026 season. Tickets are available online at stmaryscommunityplayers.ca and locally at Troyer’s Spices in downtown St. Marys.