Headgate Theatre Productions

On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson

On Golden Pond Synopsis

It’s 1979. The setting is Golden Pond – a typical lake in Maine and the summer retreat of Ethel and Norman Thayer for many decades. Their delightful summer routine – fishing, picking strawberries, enjoying old mementoes, listening to the loons call – is given a bitterly comedic edge by Norman’s unreliable memory and his cantankerously morbid statements.

With his 80th birthday looming, Noman – a retired University professor – is tetchy. His mental capacity is not what it was, and Ethel is becoming his caregiver.  However, the imminent arrival of estranged daughter Chelsea – complete with her new fiancé and his young son – is destined to change Norman’s life.  Ethel and Norman experience a revival when they spend time with their pseudo-grandson.

 The story examines all kinds of different relationships, mother/daughter, father/daughter, husband and wife, and potential step-parent and child.  The generation gap between young and old is carefully and delightfully explored.

Note.  This is a classic American comedic drama, which was first produced in 1978, and some of the views and language expressed are reflective of that time, and of the deteriorating mental health of Norman.

Production dates and times

Wednesday 25th February 2026 7.45 pm

Thursday 26th February 2026 7.45 pm

Friday 27th February 2026 7.45 pm

Saturday 28th February 2026 2.30 pm

Saturday 28th February 2026 7.45 pm

Casting

Norman – Les Chisnall

Ethel – Jenni Horn

Chelsea – Elly Kent-Johnson

Billy Ray – Mark Russell

Billy Ray Jnr – Will Torry

Charlie – Richard Hill

Operator – Angie Reid

Creative and Technical Support

Director – Liz Mullen

Stage Manager – Annastasia Ward

Assistant SM – Christine Smith

Assistant SM (Props) – Ashly Cardwell

Set Design – Stephen Peeling/David King

Costume Co-ordinator – Jo Parrick

Lighting Design – Mike Sullivan

Lighting Operator/Projection – James Coppin

Sound Design – Adarsh Muthukumar

Sound Operator – Liz Moss

Set Build- Stephen Peeling, Nick Deadman,
Jordan Bridgeland Rick Streatfield

Production Leads for HTP – Andrew Hodgson/Dawn King