Peter Paylor achieving success as a playwright, producing quality plays

It is impossible not to notice the steady increase of artistic talent in the Quinte area. This includes all aspects of the arts –writing, painting, performing, and more. Every few months another local artist jumps out as a spectacular success in their chosen field.

One recent example is Peter Paylor, who wrote a one-act play a few years ago, which was well received when performed by the Belleville Theatre Guild. Since then, he has gone on to write several other plays, admitting, “I was hooked.” And being published through the Association of Playwrights, they have gone on to be performed on stages across Ontario – Brockville to Kincardine, plus the old Church Theatre and the Pinnacle Playhouse. His Christmas theme play last December drew high praise from Norm Foster, recognized as Canada's king of stage comedy as well as full house audiences for its run.

One of his most recent plays is “Queen Victoria's Tea Garden.'

“I was inspired by the former men's wear store downtown which was separated from the store next door by only a curtain. I figured it would be funny if the situation put two sharply contrasting businesses together, specifically, a classic tearoom and a sex shop,” he explained. Sold out audiences greeted the first world premiere performances of the play this past weekend, accompanied by generous laughter and applause.

In another update, one of his one-act plays, put on recently in Eastern Ontario, is on its way to Ottawa for the Eastern Ontario Drama League one-act category. He has also been commissioned to write a play about a tour of a downtown area, which he is working on.

“Often,,” he reflected,” I get an idea then shove it in a drawer to let it rise, like making bread. It seems to help, as I do get a better feel for the play when I start to work on it again.”

Paylor is one more name to add to our local talent watch as they soar into stardom. And you can bet more names will be forthcoming. Now on with the show.

People come and go in Queen Victoria's tea room, decorated with antique, aristocratic wall paper and intimate tables with pulchritudinous table cloths. They also meet and get to know each other. This is a cast made in heaven, not just acting, but interacting and reacting as good actors should. It is no surprise that some of this cast have extensive professional experience.

Saucy and spicy, its about lonely seniors “getting back on the horse,” a phrase used to good effect by playwright Paylor. It's about youngish single women finding love in each other's company and a housewife feeling ignored by her executive hours husband. Great portrayals of the characters and risque dialogue had the audience in stitches Sunday afternoon. Director Lisa Morris made the maximum use of the intimate stage and her talented cast. While the situations and the lines are funny, much of the humour comes from the individual performances.

Michael Sheen Cuddy as Earl, a widower, whose background includes roles in movies and television , is a suave, lonely widower and owner of an insurance agency who gets instantly attracted to a feisty and seemingly cold- hearted widow, Mavis, played by Lisa Guthro, when she and her daughter drop into the café. Lisa's character turns out to be a pleasant surprise to both Earl and the audience. Meanwhile, the daughter, Kelly, played skillfully by another professional actress, Jocelyn LoSole, who recently has moved to Belleville, becomes attracted to the tea room owner, Annie, (Natalie Nolan.) Theatre Guild veteran Barb Grenier, as Sarah, making her first appearance on the new theatre's stage, is the mistress of the adjoining sex show, where some strange sounds emanate, including a woman screaming because she can't figure out how to turn off a vibrator. J. P. Harvey, plays Marvin, Earl's son, destined to take over the family business, as a paranoid buffoon with enthusiasm and skill. Another Belleville talent is Rachel Kelleher, as Peggy, Marvin's desperate and ignored young wife.

The show is delightfully enriched by a cute and saucy musical background.

This is adult entertainment with plenty of frank dialogue and action, but generating much laughter. There is a big surprise to end the second act.

The two-act play runs just under two hours with a brief intermission. This unique little theatre has other treats in store for its audiences in the weeks and months ahead. It is well worth supporting.