Al Purdy at the Quinte Hotel
Featuring the Poetry of Al Purdy
Drama – 1m – 2 acts
Al Purdy was one of the greats of Canadian literature. His poems bridge the
gap between academia and the factory lunchroom, and they span the country as
well. In this celebration of his work, Purdy takes his audience on a tour of
the land he loves, and the passionate characters who people it. All this from
Purdy’s vantage point at a table at the rear of the Quinte Hotel!
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| Al Purdy |
Al Purdy at the Quinte Hotel premiered on CBC Radio in
February, 2004. Al Purdy at the Quinte Hotel (the radio version) starred
Gordon Pinsent. More information on that production is available in the Radio Play section.
The stage premiere was at The Regent Theatre, Picton, Ontario, in July
2004. The play features original material, along with 16 poems by Purdy.
Bob Collins starred as Al Purdy, along with Laska Sawade as the waitress
and Kevin Quain as the hotel musician.
“There is lots of humour in this show, especially for those who
remembered Al Purdy or were familiar with his work — or simply
remembered an old-fashioned beverage room… The riveting evening
of poetry, wit, humour and musical background comes to an end with Sawade
singing an original song based on (Purdy’s) lines, with a rousing
standing ovation for the cast.” (Belleville Intelligencer)