Two men meet while walking their dogs, and from that small moment, a friendship begins to grow. That’s the premise of Frank and Percy, the latest production from Attitude Theatre, which brings the British play to Victoria for its Canadian premiere later this month. Written by Ben Weatherill, Frank and Percy first hit the stage in 2023 at the Royal Windsor Theatre in the U.K., starring Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam. The story follows two retired men who strike up an unexpected bond while walking their dogs on Hampstead Heath. What begins as casual conversation turns into something more profound, a late-in-life romance that explores companionship, vulnerability, and identity with warmth and humour. For director Tony Cain, the story’s themes felt universal. “When I first heard about it, I thought, this story could be happening in Victoria,” Cain said. “It’s about two men who find friendship and eventually love later in life. We don’t hear these kinds of stories often, especially about people in their retirement years who are still discovering themselves. Romance and passion aren’t just for the young, they’re for all of us.” Cain said one of the cast members even shares similarities with his character, drawing from his own experiences to bring authenticity to the role. With that authenticity, the show also brings several other real-life situations that come with relationships, including tolerance. “Tolerance is a major part of this play. The characters have conflicts, they fall out, but they work through it. It’s a very real depiction of relationships,” he said. The show, which stars veteran local actors Malcolm Harvey and Jim Forsythe, has been in rehearsal since early September. “This production has been a true collaboration. Everybody on the team has contributed, and that collective creativity makes the show special,” Cain said. With a team of about 18 people involved, Cain described it as the largest production Attitude Theatre has taken on. Frank and Percy unfolds across 22 short scenes with no traditional set, just two actors, a few wooden blocks, and a rotating mix of sound, light, and music to create the world around them. “It’s all about the relationship and dialogue,” Cain said. “There’s dance, there’s music, even a karaoke scene. It’s full of life and laughter.” Despite its humour, Cain said the play carries a powerful message about hope and human connection. “This is what theatre should do. It reminds us that no matter our age, we’re never too old to fall in love again,” he said. Frank and Percy runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 at SKAM Satellite Studio, 849 Fort Street. Tickets are available at attitudetheatre.ca/ticket-sales [http://attitudetheatre.ca/ticket-sales.].
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