The Hasty Heart: The Cheticamp Arts Council and Le Théâtre Sans Détours WW II classic
John Gillis

A scene from the The Hasty Heart

The play, in English, is set at the end of WWII, and some might remember it as a classic film starring Ronald Reagan and Richard Todd.

Director Diana McKinnon did a tremendous job bringing together both experienced and inexperienced actors in Cheticamp for this comedy that sheds a lighter look at the realities of war.

“It’s become an annual event for the Conseil des Arts de Chéticamp and Le Théâtre Sans Détours to offer a play in English, and we’re very proud to offer this work in honour of our veterans,” said Conseil’s artistic director Paul Gallant in his introduction.

In the play, a group of recovering war veterans from various allied countries attempt to make the best of their time in hospital trading jabs, humour and stories.

Lachie, a tough and stubborn Scot played by newcomer Malcolm MacLellan, arrives on the scene and has trouble fitting in to the easygoing ways of the rest of the residents of the ward. MacLellan’s Scottish accent was very convincing, and hopefully this will be the first of many theatre productions for a young man with such talent.

The friendly and dedicated Sister Margaret (played wonderfully by Mariève Théiault) and the Colonel persuade the patients that they should try to befriend Lachie because he only has a short time to live due to a kidney ailment and because Lachie is unaware that he is dying.

Lachie tests everyone’s patience with his unconventional views, but the group finally befriends him, and he can’t help but warm to them when they present him with a cherished kilt as a birthday gift.

Surprised by their kindness, Lachie surprisingly accepts the gift and an offer of friendship. He falls for Sister Margaret who also has feelings for him, and they decide to marry.

However, Lachie finds out that he’s going to die and wonders if the friendships gained were a matter of pity, something that disgusts him. He’s about to give up on his new friends until he realizes that something in him has changed forever.

The play also starred John-Francis Lane as Yank, Guy LeLièvre as Digger, John Payne as Tommy, Pierre Larade as Kiwi, Cheticamp Irving owner James Chiasson as Blossom, Fred Hodgson as the Colonel, and Karolyn Aucoin as the Orderly.

The diverse cast was wonderful, and they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

The set and the lighting were simple but very professional.

Several of the cast members were on stage for the first time in their lives, and it speaks to the value of community theatre and the level of talent in the Cheticamp area that the cast and crew did such a professional job with such an ambitious work. Hopefully some of the surviving local veterans of WWII were able to take in the show.