On December 21, 1988 PanAm Flight 103 crashed onto a residential street in Lockerbie, Scotland. Seven years later “The Women of Lockerbie” are still struggling to come to terms with the fallout from the Lockerbie Bombing. This is a fictional play inspired by the Lockerbie Laundry Ladies who laundered the passengers’ clothing so that it could be returned to the families of the dead. The play is presented with a chorus in the Greek Style of Theatre at the Duncan Showroom, 133 Station Street.
Madeline and Bill travel from New Jersey to Lockerbie, Scotland. Madeline, played by Megan Bourns, is hoping to find some physical piece of evidence that her son died in Lockerbie. Adrian Ingham as Bill is trying to come to terms with “Why”. Why did his son die? Why can his wife not find closure? Why? After attending a vigil in the town Madeline and Bill roam the nearby hills struggling to make sense of the loss of their son. Near the creek that flows down the hillside they encounter “The Women of Lockerbie”.
Shawnigan Players regular Jan Ovans is Olive, a spry senior who has come into conflict with the officious American George Jones. Olive and her friends want to take possession of stored clothing items so that they can be laundered and returned to the families. The Chorus is played by Lisa Read, Bethanny Brooks, Margie Pringle and Shauna Clinging. George, played by Dan Leckey, has been tasked with storage and disposal of all items that were held for the investigation of the bombing. Olive is aided by Hattie, the feisty cleaning lady at the storage facility played by Lori Appleton.
Director Sylvia Swift is excited to be working with the Greek Style of theatre where the chorus helps to clarify the story and connect with the audience. To quote a director of the play “Evil only triumphs when you allow it to. The best way to combat it, is with fierce love, great acts of kindness and strength of community.
