EODL One-Act Festival brings Eastern Ontario theatre groups together for a weekend of performances
MERRICKVILLE — Hosted by Perth last year, the Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL) One-Act Festival returns to the region this November, but this time, the spotlight shifts to Merrickville. While Studio Theatre Perth won’t be welcoming troupes to its own stage, the company will proudly represent the town as one of nine groups competing in the weekend-long event.
“We’ll be bringing A Little Something for the Ducks by Jean Lennox Toddie, and although it was written in the 1980s, we’re setting it in the early 1960s,” said director Marilyn Nicholas Dahan. “I just like that era for gentlemen and old ladies.”
The 40-minute two-hander follows a pair of seniors in what Nicholas Dahan describes as a “heart-tugging comedy of life.” Before heading to Merrickville, the show will run for local audiences Oct. 16 to 19 at Studio Theatre Perth.
At the festival, Studio Theatre Perth’s entry will be part of the Saturday afternoon lineup, sharing the stage with productions from Osgoode and North Grenville.
“From a theatre’s point of view, festivals are a great learning opportunity,” Nicholas Dahan added. “Even though it’s one person’s opinion, it’s still somebody who knows what they’re talking about. From an audience perspective, it’s a chance to see original work, familiar plays with a twist, or just to find out what other groups are doing, you might not otherwise get to see what’s happening in Kingston or Peterborough.”
Studio Theatre Perth is no stranger to the EODL circuit. The company has hosted the festival five times since 2009, each time relying on an enthusiastic team of volunteers and strong local support to make it happen.
Penny Silberhorn, who chaired last year’s festival committee in Perth, said the town’s volunteer culture was key to its success.
“EODL provides lots of guidance, but it still takes a lot of folks and planning to make it come together,” said Silberhorn. “The town and local businesses were incredibly supportive — we found generous sponsors, sold advertising, and local restaurants provided free food for our entrants.”
As the torch passes to Merrickville, Theatre Night in Merrickville (TNIM) is gearing up for its turn to host. The last time TNIM held the festival was in 2013, and according to festival chair Helen Steenburgh, this year’s event is a milestone.
“The timing was perfect — this year marks our 50th anniversary,” said Steenburgh. “It’s been wonderful to host again because it really brings our community together. I’ve had one of the largest active committees ever helping out.”
The challenge, she admits, is that TNIM doesn’t have a dedicated theatre space. “We have to build an entire theatre inside the Community Centre and then take it all down overnight to transform the same space into a banquet hall for the awards brunch,” she said.
Despite the hard work, Steenburgh says the effort is worth it. “It’s amazing to see what can happen when people come together for theatre. The sense of pride and teamwork is what these festivals are all about.”
This isn’t just another weekend at the theatre, it’s a smorgasbord of theatrical delight. Audiences can enjoy three plays per session, with three sessions in total: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., and again at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the awards brunch will also be held at the Community Centre, where this year’s adjudicator, Carey Nicholson, will recognize groups for acting, directing, staging and more with a variety of awards.
The EODL One-Act Festival runs in Merrickville from Nov. 7 to 9, showcasing productions from across Eastern Ontario — a celebration of community, creativity and the enduring magic of live theatre. For more information, visit merrickvilletheatre.org
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Merrickville news.
