Walter Norman is a retiree living a quiet life in a small town. Not much happens in his day; he’s content to sit in his chair on the front porch and watch the world go by. Enter Shannon. A busy mother of two who moves in across the street and opens a daycare. An unlikely friendship develops between these two and soon their visits become a daily ritual. Join Walter and Shannon as they sit and talk about everything from life to love to death to egg rolls. If only he could remember her name. Or what happened the day before. A year in the life of two lonely people who didn’t know how much they needed each other. Until they did.
Keywords: Two-hander, aging, dementia
First produced by Here For Now Theatre, Stratford ON, 2021. Also produced at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Genre: Comedy
Acts: 2
Run time: 110 minutes
Cast size: 2 actors
Male roles: 1
Female roles: 1
Casting Notes:
One male--70s
One female--30s to 40s
"Steve Ross has written a sweet and heart-squeezing play. He deals sensitively with dementia, loneliness, gender issues, relationships, friendships when you least expect it and generosity of spirit."
- The Slotkin Letter
"‘goldfish’ becomes that gentle reminder to me of how our lives can change course when we meet people who leave indelible marks on our very being. Walter and Shannon’s courage and kindness did just that."
- OnStage Blog
"goldfish proves to be a comedy with a strong emotional impact, one whose force really takes one unawares."
- Stage-Door