Set in Kingston, Ontario, during the Christmas season of 1998, The Presence of Henry brings a complicated Canadian family together for a holiday that will change them forever. Henry and Loretta Boyle are preparing for a rare Christmas with their children and granddaughter, but beneath the humour, traditions and familiar family arguments are old wounds, strained relationships and secrets that have been buried for decades.
As the family gathers, Henry begins trying to repair the relationships he fears he has damaged. When an unexpected tragedy strikes, the Boyles are forced to confront the past, each other, and truths that may change how they see their family forever.
Warm, funny and bittersweet, The Presence of Henry explores family, forgiveness, belonging, and the enduring presence of those who shape our lives.
Genre: Comedic Drama
Acts: 2
Run time: 115 minutes
Suitable for students 16+
Content notes: Contains strong language and profanity, including sexual language and references to alcohol and drinking. The play deals with death, grief, family estrangement, and the aftermath of a house fire in which a character is trapped. It includes references to sexuality and coming out, including a character's same-sex relationship. Religious themes and Catholic and Jewish practices are central to some scenes. There are emotionally intense scenes involving loss, mourning, and family secrets.
Cast size: 8 actors
Male roles: 4
Female roles: 4
Casting notes: The play calls for 8 actors: 4 female and 4 male roles. Characters range in age from their mid-20s to their 70s. The central family is multigenerational, with Loretta and Henry in their late 60s, their adult children in their 40s, and their granddaughter in her mid-20s. The play includes distinct Canadian regional accents and cultural backgrounds: Loretta is Newfoundland-born, Henry is New Brunswick-born, and Mary speaks with an Ottawa Valley accent. Noam is a Jewish widower, and Father Duffy is an Irish/Jamaican parish priest. Casting for Father Duffy may include Caucasian, mixed-race or Afro-Caribbean performers. No live musicians are required.
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