Northumberland Players Leading Ladies cast
Northumberland Players is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a full slate of productions, beginning with its current comedy Leading Ladies, now playing at the Best Western in Cobourg.
Leading Ladies is a lively farce about two struggling Shakespearean actors who learn they could inherit a fortune if they can successfully pose as the long-lost nieces of a wealthy woman. Disguises, mistaken identities, and romantic complications quickly spiral into chaos as the pair struggle to keep up the ruse. Packed with physical comedy, quick wit, and classic slapstick, the play is a fast-moving, laugh-out-loud celebration of theatre and deception.
President and Artistic Director Jack Boyajian says producing a show involves keeping dozens of volunteers working in sync behind the scenes.
Leading Ladies is one of several productions staged across multiple venues used by the organization, including the Fire Hall Theatre, Victoria Hall, and the Best Western.
Looking ahead, Northumberland Players is preparing for its largest show of the year opening in February at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope.
Mamma Mia! is a high-energy, feel-good musical featuring the iconic songs of ABBA, set on a Greek island as a young bride searches for her father on the eve of her wedding. Packed with fan favourites like “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me,” the show is loved worldwide for its fun, heart, and sing-along spirit.
The Northumberland Players’ production is already drawing strong interest, with tickets selling fast for what is expected to be one of the season’s most popular shows. Boyajian says major musical productions like Mamma Mia! require significant financial investment, with costs approaching $100,000, but notes audiences are often surprised by the professional quality delivered by a volunteer company.
The organization currently includes hundreds of volunteer members contributing skills ranging from performance and technical production to administration and training.
All ticket revenue is reinvested into future productions, volunteer training, and equipment upgrades.
More information on current and upcoming shows, including ticket details, is available at northumberlandplayers.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
