About the Play:

Mending Fences is a full-length dramatic comedy by Norm Foster. What happens when a son, estranged for 13 years, returns to his gruff and uncommunicative father's farm? In Norm Foster's deft hands, histories are revealed, vulnerabilities laid bare, and laughter is always close at hand. Mending Fences is a sparkling comedy with wit and humanity.

Mending Fences is a three-person play about dysfunctional family relationships that spans two generations, but takes place over a few days. Harry Sullivan hasn't seen his son Drew in thirteen years. And now Drew is coming to Harry's Saskatchewan ranch for a visit. Virginia, the woman next door with her own issues, plays a major role in helping them reconcile. It is a powerful play that uses hockey as the symbol of a powerplay between father and son. Flashbacks to Harry's youth, middle age and to Drew's teens give us insights into the lives of these characters. This poignant comedy tells the story of two men who are too stubborn to give in to feelings of the heart. Mending Fences portrays human drama that is relevant to anyone who has ever been a parent, a son or daughter, which includes us all.

Mending Fences premiered 2006 at Theatre In Port in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The US premier was in 2009 at B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. Since then the play has been produced widely at community theatres across North America.

Cast: 1 female, 2 male (doubling)

What people say:

"The characters in Mending Fences are real, not polished Hollywood or overly dramatic reality TV people. And their relationships ring with truth, providing plenty to think about on the way home." — Halifax Chronicle Herald

"The sort of comedy that steals your heart. You'll love it." — Hamilton Spectator

"Mending Fences has more than its share of laughs. Big laughs. Raunchy laughs." — Sacramento Bee

"As with many of Foster's works, the audience is awed by a masterpiece of timing, dialogue, and it's natural delivery. Foster has long ago proven he's a master at dialogue. This guy knows how real people talk and the echo of real people speaking comes through his pen." — The Midweek Banner (Orangeville, Ontario)

About the Playwright:

Norm Foster enjoyed a 25-year career as the morning man at independent radio stations in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, and Kingston, before finally ending up in Fredericton, where he began writing plays. He is considered to be Canada's most produced playwright, with more than sixty critically acclaimed plays that are known for their humour, accessibility, and insight into the everyday tribulations of life. He is the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award for his play, The Melville Boys which would go on to be produced across Canada and in the United States, including a well-received run Off Broadway in New York. It would become his signature play, and the one which would bring his name to the forefront of Canadian theatre. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017.