The Outside Inn World Premiere

Located just across from the McKinnon Residence, Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre will present The Outside Inn from the 14th-23rd of October.

Coordinators describe the play as “a transformative dark comedy about the mess that makes us human,” promising to be both a comedic and thought-provoking performance. The play opens a window into the fictional lives of Lily (Sharon Bajer) and her husband, Patrick (Elio Zarillo). Both characters have differing opinions on the course their lives are taking. Lily believes that her loving husband, beautiful child, and perfect body make her life complete. In comparison, Patrick is dissatisfied with his life. A day of unexpected events threatens to make or break the two as they struggle to come to terms with each other, their differences, and the challenges they face.

Director Annie Valentina is currently based in Halifax. Previous projects include Kat Sandler’s Yaga and Rose Napoli’s Lo. Her plays often explore transphobia, feminism, and Eastern European identity, relating to her personal experiences. The Outside Inn will reportedly explore themes of illness, death, and body dysmorphia.

Sharon Bajer (playing Lily) has acted in 10 feature films, including Fear X, Hide and Seek, and Scared Silent. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but currently lives in Manitoba. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was forced to take a two-year break from acting. As a survivor, she brings her personal experience with a cancer diagnosis to her role as Lily.

Elio Zarillo (playing Patrick) works as a playwright, director, and actor. They will also be involved in two other premieres this season: Prairie Theatre Exchange’s Voltaire and the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s Narrow Bridge. Although it is only 90 minutes long, this play explores many thought-provoking issues. It will take place at the Bauer theatre on campus, and tickets are discounted for students. Several first-year English students will study the play in class. If you get the chance to watch the play, there will be many other students with whom you can discuss themes and interpretations of the performance afterwards.

To buy tickets to the performance, visit the Festival Antigonish website linked below. Performances take place Friday-Sunday for the first week and Wednesday-Sunday for the second week, starting at 7:30 each evening.

Buy tickets: www.festivalantigonish.ca