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As a Sudbury story, ‘Mucking’ is a grand slam

Sudbury Theatre Centre’s production of Mucking in the Drift by Sudbury Playwright Matthew Heiti is the story of a man’s life as seen through the lens of the great game of baseball — but baseball in its heyday in the 1930s when, even in the small time
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Daniel Roberts shines as more than a dozen characters in playwright Matt Heiti’s “Mucking in the Drift,” the story of a former star of Sudbury’s Nickel Belt Ball League who becomes unstuck in time. Photo by Arron Pickard.

Sudbury Theatre Centre’s production of Mucking in the Drift by Sudbury Playwright Matthew Heiti is the story of a man’s life as seen through the lens of the great game of baseball — but baseball in its heyday in the 1930s when, even in the small time Nickel Belt Ball League, it captured the hearts of people in ways not seen anymore.

It’s also the story of Sudbury in the vibrant days of the city’s youth. The very name of the play immediately takes us to the dark mines where so many Sudburians have toiled.

The main character, Bert Pilgrim, was inspired by the real-life Bert Flynn, a star of Nickel Belt baseball in that era.

I’d guess the name Pilgrim is a nod to the protagonist of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five.

Like that character, Bert Pilgrim is “unstuck in time.” Is he living in a nursing home confined to a wheelchair or reliving his glory days and the summer he had the world in the palm of his hand? Bert calls this “mucking,” as he takes the audience back and forth in time with him, digging through the key events of his life, including, at one point, a whole baseball game.

That’s especially impressive since actor Daniel Roberts plays all the parts.

Scott Pietrangelo as The Organ Player, gives Roberts someone to talk to occasionally, and provides accompaniment on an antique pump organ.

In fact, the perfectly chosen music, the terrific ballpark set from Geoffrey Dinwiddie, and the costumes of Sara Passmore, all evoke the era of the ‘30s and ‘40s brilliantly.

Still, Heiti’s words are good words. He has an excellent ear for colloquial language and a gift for colourful expressions that tickle the fancy of the audience. With that to work from, and expertly creative staging by guest director Lee Wilson, Roberts does a terrific job switching between all the characters and making each one distinct. A scene in the dark with a flashlight is marvelous.

The show is also the most entertaining of history lessons. As Bert Pilgrim “sees” the architectural landscape of Sudbury 70 or 80 years ago, rides a streetcar and recalls the characters of the day, the audience reacts with delighted recognition. 


The play is as much a caution against carelessly discarding the treasures of the past as it is about human nature. But don’t get caught up — like Bert does — in trying to find any deep meaning in what happens. Just go along for the ride.

Mucking in the Drift is a world premiere production at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, in the city where the story takes place.

That’s as it should be.

It runs through Nov. 10. The box office number is 705-674-8381 ext. 21 or go online to www.sudburytheatre.on.ca.

Scott Overton co-hosts the morning show on Rewind 103.9 and is the author of the thriller Dead Air. He writes theatre reviews for Northern Life.


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