The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble - Live Play

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Friday, October 6th, 2023
Oct 5, 6, 12, 13 at 7:30pm Oct 7, 8, 14 at 2:30pm

The Mercury Players' season opener, The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble, is a heart-tugging, darkly funny play that tackles two very challenging and relevant subjects.

Written by Beth Graham and directed by Lake Cowichan’s Erin Butler (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Jack and Jill), it's a story that is playing out in many homes across the country and you may recognize yourself in one of the characters.

Bernice Trimble has summoned her three children to a "family meeting" and, before serving her famous everything-that's-bad-for-you-casserole, calmly announces that she has early-onset Alzheimer's. Bombshell dropped! Thinking back, Grandma had dementia too. So who's next? As the siblings contemplate life without their vivacious, matriarchal centre, things fall apart. Old tribal patterns emerge and Mom must play peacemaker.

Sarah, who is headstrong and histrionic, immediately calls for a second opinion while Peter, who is introverted and busy with work, is happy to dodge all conflict. Middle child, Iris, through whose eyes the story is told, must navigate all the emotional fallout, while trying to support her Mom. Bernice is concerned with retaining her dignity and protecting her children from what she knows is coming.

As her mother slips further away from the capable woman she once was, Iris tries to hold onto the hope that somehow everything will be okay. Bernice then delivers more shattering news and Iris is forced to muster all her courage and loyalty to face it. This play, which was short-listed for a 2015 Governor General's award, pulls no punches but shows us, through interesting characters and some really funny moments, how we can and do deal with situations we don't want.

Doors open 1/2 hour before show time. Ticket are $25 General Admission and $20 Seniors/Students and are available here or on Facebook and at Ten Old Books at the Duncan Garage. The owners of Ten Old Books have always shown their support for community theatre and they deserve ours in turn.