The Belfry Theatre is taking you backstage with the classic Canadian comedy Jitters (written by David French).
This play-within-a-play is directed by Patrick McDonald (artistic director at Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre) and stars two married couples; Kyle Jespersen and Lindsey Angel, and Norman Browning and Laurie Paton, alongside Jason Clift, Ted Cole, Dean Paul Gibson, Gerry Mackay and Hazel Venzon.
Long considered French’s love letter to theatre, Jitters was written in 1979 and was inspired, in part, by the premiere of his own first play, Leaving Home (at Tarragon Theatre in 1972).
The rotating set features bargain basement wallpaper, shag carpets, macrame and mid-century mod furniture that set designer Charlotte Dean sourced and “up-purposed” from Value Village. Look for a photo of French on set in Act 2 next to the coffee maker.
The costumes by Nancy Bryant hilariously feature a Canadian tuxedo and a polyester onesie.
Jitters opens Thurs, Nov. 17 and runs until Dec. 18. M