Play Descriptions
Letter From Wingfield Farm
When a captain of industry trades his pinstripe suit for overalls
and retreats to a hundred acre farm, the residents of Persephone
Township raise their eyebrows. Weekend farmers are a common
enough sight, but this man seems to think he can make a living
with a broken down racehorse and a single furrow plough. Letter
From Wingfield Farm is the story of one man's attempt to embrace
a less complicated world. In a series of letters to the editor
of the Larkspur weekly newspaper, Walt Wingfield tells of the
people and events of his first year as a man of the soil.
Author and actor come out 'Letter' perfect
...breathtaking scope and depth in their portrait of Larkspur and its
inhabitants
-- The Toronto Star
Wingfield's Progress
In his second season on the farm Walt faces a new challenge. The
spectre of urban development looms on the Seventh Concession and
Walt sounds the alarm. Can he mobilize the neighbourhood to save
the rustic splendour of Larkspur? Does Larkspur want to be
saved? Wingfield's Progress is the story of Walt's passionate
response to a threat only he perceives. Larkspur and its
residents are back at their hilarious best in this sequel to
Letter From Wingfield Farm.
a riveting and immaculately constructed little play,
performed to perfection... Beattie electrifies the
stage.
-- The Victoria Times Colonist
People who were treated to Beattie's talent in 'Letter'
weren't disappointed with the sequel -- it was as
hilarious, as entertaining as they were hoping it would
be.
-- The Pinnacle, Peterborough
Wingfield's Folly
In his third year on the farm, after two, profit-free seasons,
Walt finally pinpoints the economic source of his problems and
embarks on a course which brings him to his most profound crisis
to date. In this sequel to Letter From Wingfield Farm and
Wingfield's Progress Walt sets up a closed economy with his
neighbours, prints his own currency and falls in love.
With gestures and a grab bag of different voices any
impressionist would kill for, the actor is able to conjure up imaginary characters with
a few deft strokes.
-- The Victoria Times Colonist
...just as engaging the third time round... Rod/Walt is
a crowd pleaser; to use an abysmal cliche he is a ray
of sunshine.
-- Monday Magazine, Victoria
Wingfield Unbound
In his fourth season on the farm (and his first as a married
man), Walt Wingfield tries to preserve the memory of the old
rural community of Persephone Township by promoting the crumbling
Hollyhock Mill as a museum site. But the locals say the mill is
haunted. Undaunted by such superstitious fears, Walt sets out to
prove to the neighbours that there's nothing to this curse
business -- with near disastrous results.
Beattie's Walt... remains an endearing companion for a
night out at the theatre.
-- Jamie Portman, Ottawa Citizen
... a marvellous time with good-hearted stories. Five
(out of five) Stars!
-- Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star
Wingfield On Ice
As the first frosts come to Persephone Township, Walt and Maggie Wingfield are all
set to welcome new life to the farm. She's expecting and he's nesting. But Walt is
alarmed about the old feuds that divide the neighbours and disturb the tranquility of
the community. His attempts to mend other people's fences meet with a resistance
as stiff and cold as the weather itself. And the biggest challenge to all of them is
looming on the horizon.
... powerhouse acting skills... could very well be the best of
the bunch... It doesn't matter if you haven't seen any other installments of the series.
Wingfield On Ice is theatrical magic that needs no introduction.
-- David Lennam,
Weekend Edition
... chockfull of the same puckish humour and keen eye for
human foibles that made its predecessors so enjoyable.
-- Adrian Chamberlain,
Victoria Times Colonist
Wingfield's Inferno
A devastating fire at the Orange Hall in Larkspur leaves it a smouldering ruin. Walt
Wingfield leads the charge to get it rebuilt, but lighting a fire under his fellow committee
members proves a daunting task. Is it courage they lack or is the devil in the details?
pure comic gold... The day you succeed in packing as much
laughter, thought, insight and feeling into two hours as Beattie, Beattie and Needles do,
then give me a call.
-- Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star
a brilliantly funny look at humanity... each episode appears
to be more polished and intricately laid out than its predecessor... entertainment of the
highest order.
-- Network Now