Of the Fields, Lately
Of the Fields, Latelyis a Canadian theatrical play byDavid French,first staged byTarragon Theatrein 1973.[1]It is the second in his Mercer Plays series, followingLeaving Home(1972) and precedingSalt-Water Moon(1984),1949(1988) andSoldier’s Heart(2001).[2]
The play centres on Ben Mercer returning home to attend his aunt's funeral, two years after the events ofLeaving Home.[3]Its original cast included Tim Henry as Ben,Sean Sullivanas his father Jacob,Florence Patersonas his mother Mary, and Sandy Webster as his aunt's widower Wiff Roach.[3]
The play was the winner of theFloyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Awardin 1973.[4]
The play received aBroadwayproduction at theCentury Theatrein 1980, starringChris Cooperas Ben, William Cain as Jacob, Mary Fogarty as Mary and John Leighton as Wiff. The production was directed by Jamie Brown.[5]
A 2009 revival of the play atSoulpepper Theatrestarred Jeff Lillico as Ben,Kenneth Welshas Jacob,Diane D'Aquilaas Mary andEric Petersonas Wiff.[6]
Film[edit]
Mike Newelldirected a television film adaptation of the play, which was broadcast byCBC Televisionin January 1976.[7]In the film, Sullivan and Paterson reprised their roles as Jacob and Mary, while Ben was played byR. H. Thomsonand Wiff Roach was played byGerard Parkes.[7]
Sullivan won theEarle Grey Awardfor best performance in a television movie at the6th ACTRA Awardsin 1977.[8]
References[edit]
- ^Gaetan Charlebois,"Of the Fields, Lately".Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia,July 13, 2021.
- ^Eugene Benson, "French, David" in Colin Chambers,The Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Theatre,London: Continuum, 2002 [2005], p.291.
- ^abJohn Fraser, "Of the Fields low key but brilliant".The Globe and Mail,October 1, 1973.
- ^William H. New (2002).Encyclopedia of Literature in Canada.University of Toronto Press. pp. 63–64.
- ^Allan Wallach,"A comedy-drama".Newsday,May 28, 1980.
- ^J. Kelly Nestruck,"Worthy of revival but too sentimental".The Globe and Mail,July 3, 2009.
- ^abBlaik Kirby, "Of the Fields moving".The Globe and Mail,January 10, 1976.
- ^Lawrence O'Toole,"ACTRA award goes to CBC Beaverbrook play".The Globe and Mail,April 15, 1977.