The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing pull a new thread, with an unholy scheme brewing at their convent. April 16-26 at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall.
Tamasin Langton at a rehearsal of Drinking Habits
Sooo, a middle-aged guy walks into a bar to have his usual — a whiskey. A younger version also bellies up to the bar but orders a mocktail. Which demographic’s drinking habits are growing faster in Canada?
Ok, ok, I confess — it’s a bit of a trick. According to Statscan, the volume of alcohol sold in Canada to all individuals over 18 has actually been dropping a percentage point or two every year since 2023, when the World Health Organization declared: “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”
This article, however, is not a question about your drinking habits, per se, but about Pine Tree Players’ upcoming laugh-out-loud production by the same topic name: Drinking Habits.
Absurdity on Steroids
Tom Smith’s award-winning two-act play features nuns and priests, reporters, former lovers, and all the usual hijinks that make up a farce: mistaken identities, accusations, multiple door slammings, a bit of a whodunnit and over-the-top non-stop action.
Long-time director of Pine Tree Players’ productions, Shelby Reinitz, admits directing a farce isn’t all fun and games. “It can be tricky,” concedes the mistress of mayhem, “especially figuring out how to cue the actors. Are they listening to a musical cue? Are they listening for a door slam? These are all factors for scenes where entrances and exits need to be very specific. I feel it’s like a choreographed dance where it’s crucial to get the timing down.”
L-R: Theresa Thiessen, Amélie Latour, Michelle Monk and Tamasin Langton with director Shelby’s dog Story
Set in a convent, we find two seamstress nuns at The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing, along with the Mother Superior, who receives early notice that Rome may be looking to shut down this underperforming facility. Unbeknownst to the superior, Sister Augusta and Sister Philamena have been operating an illicit vineyard to boost the fortunes of the little nunnery, and with a fresh batch of plonk about to arrive, their secret stands to be exposed. Between the Sisters and Mother Superior, the running gag is an amazing assortment of nicknames for the devil’s drink, all circling back to The Dark Lord himself.
And then — but of course — there’s the mystery: a pair of journalists are about to go undercover just as the spy sent from Rome appears and, it turns out — but of course — the groundskeeper has a secret of his own. And we haven’t even touched on the multiple plot twists, or the kissing nuns.
Timing — in Farce, It’s Everything
Set designer Liv Witkowski painting the Drinking Habits set
One of the most critical elements of a farce is the timing. “For the set,” explains designer Liv Witkowski, “this means that everything has to be working perfectly . . . doors can’t get stuck or not latch or else it throws things off.”
Witkowski adds that some farces embed tricks into the set like the magician’s box in Drinking Habits. “This device aids with the actual physical comedy and in some plays the set almost becomes another character.”
Perfecting the timing with seven other actors is no easy feat, confesses Liam Christie, who plays the priest of a local parish who was once an amateur magician. “Our timing of our interactions with each other has to be perfect,” he says, “in a farce, the comedy comes from a fast pace. If it’s not timed well, it’s just not funny.”
L-R: Michelle Monk, Theresa Thiessen and Liam Christie
As to why, sort of like wine, “farce” has survived since as far back as the 15th century, Christie says: “I think that people are drawn to farce because it’s a way to escape from the mundane parts of everyday life . . . and, frankly, who doesn’t love to laugh?”
Let’s toast to that!
In a farce, the comedy comes from a fast pace. If it’s not timed well, it’s just not funny.
As to why, sort of like wine, “farce” has survived since as far back as the 15th century, Christie says: “I think that people are drawn to farce because it’s a way to escape from the mundane parts of everyday life . . . and, frankly, who doesn’t love to laugh?”
Let’s toast to that!
I was in awe by the level of talent in that production. Now, almost 10 years later, I’m still amazed by the talent and creativity that goes into each production, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
Showtimes: April 16-26, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Canmore Miners’ Union Hall | 738 7 St.
Tickets: $25
Purchase tickets here
Questions or concerns, contact us
Deb Cummings
About the Author: Now retired, Deb spent her career writing - most recently producing newsletters and an alumni magazine at the University of Calgary. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of up!, WestJet’s inflight magazine. She’s been a web editor, newspaper journalist, CBC travel columnist, and freelancer.
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