The Forever Young Theatre, a non-profit English-speaking senior theatre company based in Deux-Montagnes, Que., northwest of Montreal, is popular for its humour and experience. The average age of the cast and crew members of the theatre company is 70. They have performed songs and scenes from various classic musicals and films, including Wicked, Funny Girl and Fiddler on the Roof. “There’s about nine different costume changes per person, and there are 37 songs,” said co-director Valerie Glover-Drolet, in reference to Broadway Revue, their upcoming production. “Because it’s such a big production, we’ve been doing it since January,” Sound Technician Vera Greven adds. The performers have to know their stuff. With singing, skits, and choreography, a lot happens in the show. “I don’t remember my lines,” Richard Clarke, who is part of the production, jokes. Meanwhile, Heather Tremblay is trying to get these performers to follow their cues – and do it quickly. “They are wonderful to work with, but they’re worse than kids. They don’t listen. They do not listen,” she said. Gail Marchand has been in a few productions and says, “These people, they come to rehearsal. It’s only once a week, and they work their butts off.” Her co-star, Andrew Brown, adds, “Even though I may be one of the youngest members of the crew, they have experience; they share it. And I’m looking forward to trying to keep up with them and doing a good show.” Clarke, 95, says he’s been “Forever Young” long enough; this is his last production with the company. “The best part of the production is most of the songs I knew about 50 years ago. Now I’ve forgotten,” he said. The remainder of their October shows are sold out at The Heritage Club in Deux-Montagnes, but they’re always looking for recruits to join the company.
