Friday June 7 was the opening night for Rosebud Theatre’s performance of the William Ormond Mitchell play ‘The Kite.’

‘The Kite’ is a beautiful story of life, remembrance, dealing with age, and the loss of friends, told in a comedy format through the eyes of a crotchety old grandpa, 111 year old Daddy Sherry.

The play is set in Shelby, Alabama in the Spring of 1976.

The scene is set with Daddy Sherry out on the porch wearing his night shirt, a real grumpy old man, who’s not afraid to say what he means, after all, he’s 111 years old. He’s sharpening his aim at Timmy Allardyce, the Boston Bull Terrier.

The audience is immediately delighted by the character of Daddy Sherry, played by Nathan Schmidt, as the character tries to silence his neighbour’s yappy little dog.

The cast includes Heather Pattengale as Helen Maclean, his daughter, Rebbekah Ogden as Keith Maclean, Paul F. Muir as Dr. David Richardson and Helen’s love interest, Mike Thiessen as Mr. Spicer, Emily-Anne Salkeld as reporter Harriet Motherwell, Anja Darien as Erica and Royal Sproule as the voice of Timmy Allardyce the Boston Bull Terrier.

Rosebud Theatre Artistic Director Morris Ertman explains that he grew up as a teenager reading the stories of W.O. Mitchell. Mitchell’s stories were ones of life and death, set in prairie landscapes.

Mitchell tells a story of a life well-lived through the eyes of Daddy Sherry.

The audience laughs, interacts with, and enjoys the unexpected comedy created through everyone’s interactions with Daddy Sherry as his family and the community of Shelby, who want to celebrate their oldest resident, progress through the play.

The performance features one 15-minute intermission.

‘The Kite’ runs from June 7 to August 31 at the Opera House Stage at Rosebud Theatre.