Sybil, a feisty but fragile 85-year-old English immigrant, breaks out of her retirement home after hiring a personal assistant, Kate, with a shady past. Sybil takes us on the journey of her life, reliving her relationships and experiences leading up to where she is today—which is not quite where she would like to be. The story shifts from present day—a Jamaican diner, Sybil’s lake house and retirement home—to her memories of serving her country in Britain during World War ll. Freedom 85! will have you laughing one moment and crying the next as two actresses portray 15 characters in this heartwarming and delightful acting tour de force.
"Many chuckle-worthy quips on the risqué side of quaint and at least a few genuinely touching dramatic turns in this two-woman show." –eyeweekly.com
"Highly Recommended! A touching, compelling story about aging and loss that propels us back and forth from the present to wartime Britain; it's funny, sad, quirky and sweet all at once." –thestar.com
"You'll love Freedom 85!"–Kincardine Times
"The play has just the right mix of dramatic moments, tragic moments, bittersweet moments and, of course, lots of comedic moments." –TO Blog
"The magic appears before your eyes when all 15 characters are brought to life by only two actors. Freedom 85! is a remarkable theatrical experience that expands our understanding of what theatre can be." –Simcoe Reformer
Cast
2 Women
SYBIL – An 85-year old English immigrant.
KATE – Sybil’s assistant.
NURSE WILLER – Hilltop Retirement Home worker—in love with a convict.
DUFF – Sybil’s son.
BIG – A tough biker who insists that “the wieners are in the freezer.”
FRED – A euchre-playing WWll veteran.
PEG – Jamaican diner owner.
COP – A cop.
DAPHNE – Sybil’s rambunctious younger sister.
CAPTAIN THOMAS HAMILTON – Lascivious captain.
MICHAEL – Sybil’s husband.
Setting
Multiple locations in the present and past
About the Author
A performance storyteller, seasoned actor and familiar face on both stage and screen, Canadian playwright Debra Hale has penned and produced two other scripts for stage–the edge-of-your-seat thriller I Won't Tell a Soul and the comedic Heads Will Roll.
Debra's extensive performance career includes the two-actor shows Sexy Laundry (1000 Islands Playhouse) and Norm Foster's Storm Warning (Lighthouse, Theatre In Port, and Toronto's Walmer Centre). She also starred in the comedy Something Drastic (Tarragon Extra Space) and leapt into the role of Constance Ledbelly in Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet (Magnus Theatre). On the serious side–Debra shone in the title role in Shaw's Annajanska's (Factory Studio) and as spicy Ginger Reed in Lanford Wilson's Book of Days (Toronto). In addition to numerous other theatre credits throughout Toronto and across Ontario, Debra has appeared in a recurring role on CBC's Wind at My Back, as well as in dozens of commercials and in several independent films.
Royalties
Performance Royalties are based on theater particulars. Please fill out a production application for your personalized quote.
Materials
No deposit, no return! All rehearsal materials you receive are brand-new. Materials are provided on unbound three-hole-punched paper. Mark them up to your heart's desire—we don't want 'em back!
Production Resources
Logo/PR Pack
Includes high-resolution logo artwork, a ready-made show poster, a press packet with pull quotes and reviews, and reference photos to inform your design.
