The Odd Couple comes with a twist

By Dan Hilborn
Published Feb. 11, 2004


The Heights Performance Centre in North Burnaby is presenting the female version of Neil Simon's play The Odd Couple, on stage until Feb. 14.

The Odd Couple, which originally opened on Broadway in 1965, was turned into a major motion picture and then finally a popular television show, before being rewritten for two female leads in the 1980s.

The play stars Kirsten Robek, a B.C. native with 10 years' experience in radio, TV and film, plus Rachel Hayward, a native of Toronto who has acted in the TV shows Andromeda and Stargate SG-1, but never on a live theatrical stage.

Jaimie Turkington, publicist for the busiest little theatre company in North Burnaby, said director James Purcell, a Gemini- award-winning actor, chose this play because it is a terrific showcase for female actors.

"This is classic Neil Simon humour and it's an interesting look at relationships," Turkington said. "It's especially neat because this is a familiar story and theme, with a female twist."

As in the all-male version, the action hinges on the warped friendship of two unlikely friends who find themselves out of their marriages at the same time. They move into the same apartment, and pandemonium prevails

Olive Madison is a short-tempered, yet lovable slob, while Florence Unger is a hypochondriac neat freak. The two women's odd and opposing personality traits are offset by a cast of other eccentric characters who meet regularly for girls' nights out where they bash men, talk therapy and play Trivial Pursuit.

Tickets to The Odd Couple are only $10, and can be purchased at Puurfect Flowers and Tings, 4210 Hastings St., or through the HPC box office at 294-4166. The theatre is located behind the gymnasium of the Heights Resource Centre, 250 Willingdon Ave.