I had the pleasure of attending the opening of The Golden Anniversaries at the Granville Island Stage of the Arts Club Theatre recently. This heartwarming, funny, and at times emotionally stirring comedy-drama is another outstanding work by Canadian playwright Mark Crawford.
The play opens at the cottage where Glen and Sandy Golden have spent the past 49 years celebrating their wedding anniversaries. This year, however, is different. One week before their 50th celebration, Sandy has had enough. She cancels the big anniversary party, asks Glen to leave the family home, and decides to start fresh, sans-Glen. Meanwhile, Glen is determined to salvage their relationship. He returns to the cottage armed with balloons and Sandy’s favourite wine, and sends her an “emergency” text that successfully lures her back for what becomes a weekend of honest, sentimental and emotionally charged conversations.
As the couple reflects on their life together from a disastrous honeymoon night and raising children to infidelity, aging, and the countless small moments that form a shared history – memories unfold like pearls strung together. As the night deepens, the audience is gradually led to the truth behind their separation, and the story takes on a deeper and more poignant dimension.
Eileen Barrett delivers a spirited and compelling performance as the feisty Sandy, while Peter Anderson brings warmth and gentle balance to his role as Glen. Together, they draw the audience seamlessly into the couple’s reality. The fluid transitions between past and present is beautifully reflected by Alexandra Caprara’s thoughtful lighting design. The cottage itself becomes a character in the story—a repository of milestone memories and a symbol of the “golden” years brought vividly to life through Ryan Cormack’s evocative set design.
Crawford’s heartwarming script weaves seamlessly between present day tensions and cherished memories. Under the sensitive direction of Arthi Chandra, The Golden Anniversaries becomes a moving, relatable, and deeply human exploration of love, resilience, and the complexities of long-term relationships.
The Golden Anniversaries is running until February 15, 2026 at the Granville Island Stage. Tickets are available from the website: https://artsclub.com/shows/2025-2026/the-golden-anniversaries
Photo Credits: Moonrider Productions for Arts Club Theatre Company