P.E.I.'s Gracie Finley back on stage this summer

Watermark Theatre's Gracie Finley had two reactions when she found out the two roles she'd be playing this summer.

"Wonderful" and "this is going to take a lot of energy," Finley said with a laugh Tuesday on CBC Radio's Mainstreet P.E.I.

"And, I have to say I am very tired at the moment, very tired."

Blithe Spirit andThe Glass Menagerie

Known for her longtime portrayal of Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival, Finley's two roles this summer are Madame Arcati in Nol Coward's Blithe Spirit and Amanda Wingfield in Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie.

Blithe Spirit is a farce about an English writer in the 1930s that consults a medium before his next book. Madame Arcati is that medium.

"My character is bizarre," Finley said.

The other character Amanda Wingfield is a "very strong Southern" woman, Finley explained. Also taking place in the 1930s, Wingfield comes to St. Louis after her husband abandoned her and their family.

"And, she is trying desperately to keep this small family unit together."

'Theatre family'

This is Finley's fourth season at North Rustico's Watermark Theatre. Raised in Charlottetown, she said it's the "theatre family" at the Watermark that keeps bringing her back.

"When you're in that short timeframe of putting something together ...you become close very quickly. And not just on a shallow level a family. It's something you're all working towards and it makes for many lifelong friendships. And, that is terrific."

Blithe Spirit begins on June 28th and The Glass Menagerie on July 8th. Both performances run until the end of August.

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