By Maeve Binchy
Adapted for the stage by Shay Linehan
Directed by John P. Kelly
Featuring Vivian Burns and Lawrence Evenchick
January 17-26, 2019 (preview January 16)
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
***Special discount weekday matinee at 12:30pm on Wednesday January 23***
Maeve Binchy was probably Ireland’s greatest romantic fiction writer. Here, her 2010 hit novel Minding Frankie has been adapted for the stage by Shay Linehan. Watch Noel, a middle-aged Dublin alcoholic as he sets about raising baby Frankie. “I intend to be the best mother I can be” he says. Watch his whole community join in to share the responsibility – “It takes a village to raise a child. Or a street.” And watch well-meaning social worker Moira, a woman with secrets of her own, go beyond her call of duty to make his life as hard as she possibly can.
Although several of her books have been adapted for cinema and TV, Minding Frankie gives theatre-goers a first chance to see her work live on stage. The world premier was as recent as this year in Ireland and SevenThirty’s production, directed by John P. Kelly will be a Canadian first. This is a play which will likely be seen on Broadway before too long. This is your chance to see it first in Ottawa.
“Maeve Binchy fans — and anyone who likes a heart-warming drama — will enjoy this adaptation!”
– Irish Examiner
“Because Ireland regretfully has no official honours system, there is no official honour to bestow on Maeve!”
– Irish Independent
“Binchy weaves her magic once again in an addictive story about families and people who aren’t always quite what they seem”
– Woman & Home
“With its gentle, involving nature and its warm comic characters, Minding Frankie is more inclined towards uplift, yanking so hard on your heartstrings that it draws applause and gasps throughout its performance.”
– Irish times
“Imaginative… Huge charm” – Sunday Independent.
“Wonderful…Charming… Perfect for Binchy fans” – Red Curtain Review.
Tickets: 
Adult: $36 + $3 facility fee = $39
Senior (65+): $32 + $3 facility fee = $35
Student/Artist*/Unwaged: $20 + $3 facility fee = $23
*including Theatre Ontario members