Taylor Marie Graham
Bullying
Canada
Children
Climate Change
Family
Grief
Reconnection
Rural
Trauma
Xenophobia
90 min.
2014
Inspired by the true events of the devastating 2011 Goderich tornado, Cottage Radio investigates our ties to home and asks: who are we when a part of us is caught in a storm? The fictional Marley clan crams together in a small family cottage on the outskirts of town. Over the course of three days, the family deals with losses both material and emotional, both in the past and the present. Combining song and stories from the community through a live radio broadcast from the cottage’s living room, the Marleys collect their demons, fight to find truth, and discover what the storm has left behind.
CHRISTINA: In her early thirties, Nadine’s older sister, Susan’s granddaughter, Gordon’s daughter, Jasper’s childhood best friend and ex-girlfriend, drummer in the band Cottage Radio, host of the radio show Cottage Radio. Also known as Chris. Very funny and sarcastic, to deflect. Deeply sensitive and cares fiercely about people she loves. Stuck. Hurt. Sharp. Alcoholic. Lonely. Angry. Desperate for love.
NADINE: In her late twenties, Christina’s younger sister, Susan’s granddaughter, Gordon’s daughter, guitar and vocals in the band Cottage Radio. Moved away to Toronto. Organized. Funny. Ambitious. Very musically talented. Wants to help others. Healing but lonely. Homesick but cautious.
JASPER: Same age as Christina, not blood-related to the rest of the characters, has always been in love with Christina, second guitar and vocals in the band Cottage Radio. A little oblivious to the consequences of his actions. Idealizes people and places. Very charming. Adventurous. Sensitive. A good heart.
GORDON: In his mid-fifties, Christina and Nadine’s father and Susan’s son-in-law. Overindulges with alcohol, silence, and solitude. Heartbroken through and through. Former competitive rower.
SUSAN: In her late seventies or early eighties, Christina and Nadine’s grandmother, and Gordon’s mother-in-law. Strong. Funny. Independent. A caretaker. Wants to help her family heal and move on.
SAM: Caller, fan of Cottage Radio.
JOANNE: Caller, shocked mother, tornado victim.
MARCUS: Caller, angry, tornado victim.
LAURIE ANNE: Caller, chatty, married to Frank, tornado victim.
TOM: Caller, good storyteller, tornado victim.
JANE: Caller, avid walker, tornado victim.
LEO: Caller, works for the radio station.
RALPH: Caller, married to Rhonda, tornado victim.
RHONDA: Caller, married to Ralph, tornado victim
Goderich Little Theatre, Summer 2014
Play can be accessed through https://talonbooks.com/books/?cottage-radio-other-plays
“Cottage Radio stands out as a vivid, dramatic, intensely well-acted, searingly written, boldly realized collaboration of playwright, composer, director, cast, and crew. A major emotional and theatrical production on an appealingly personal subject staged in a lovely, historic building. Congratulations to the Collective. A significant accomplishment!” – Bill Mandel, former arts critic San Francisco Chronicle
“Taylor Graham has written such rich and delicious characters, people who are familiar and yet presented in an utterly unique way. I am thrilled to see such a powerful play set in small town Ontario – true Canadiana, and yet, universal!” – Judith Thompson, playwright
Swearing