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Play filled with secrets

It’s 1945, and the elderly Ethel Savage has become an unwilling “guest” at Cloisters.

It’s 1945, and the elderly Ethel Savage has become an unwilling “guest” at Cloisters.

Her husband has died, leaving her $10 million, and her stepchildren have had her committed to the sanitorium.

Savage’s three stepchildren, Titus (a U.S. senator), Lily Belle (a self-proclaimed ingenue) and Samuel (a judge), had been shocked to find out that their stepmother had set up a memorial fund with her money in order to help average people pursue their dreams. On the basis of her “eccentric” behavior (such as taking up acting and the goals of her fund) they had her committed to The Cloisters in order to take the money from her.

But Ethel reveals to Miss Willie, her nurse, and Dr. Emmett, her doctor, that she has hidden the money that her stepchildren tried to take.

Contrasting the kindness and loyalty of psychiatric patients with the avarice and vanity of “respectable” public figures, The Curious Savage calls into question conventional definitions of sanity, while lampooning celebrity culture.

This is Shuswap Theatre’s second all-ages mainstage production of the season and is directed by Lois Archer-Duell, who has assembled a stellar cast.

The show runs Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m. (preview night) with admission at $9 at the door only.

Evening shows run at 7:30, March 1, 2, 5 to 9, with a 1:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 3.

Tickets are now available at Wearabouts on Alexander Street, Salmon Arm or at the door, with doors opening one hour before show time.

For more information call 250-832-9283 or go to www.shuswaptheatre.com.