Let the games begin!

Guest blogger Kathy Storring

I didn't play road hockey as a child, but I have a good excuse. And, no, it’s not because I was a girl (and don’t ever suggest that again). 

It’s because I grew up on a farm. Country kids don’t have smooth, curbed streets to lure them. The fact is, gravel roads are hardly conducive to cars, let alone children with sports equipment.

On top of that, I had only one sibling as a handy playmate. And not only was he four years older (stronger and smarter) than I was, but he had also inherited every athletic gene the family could muster. Playing any game with Phil was just courting disaster.

So I was intrigued and maybe even a bit jealous when I first encountered an urban street hockey game. Such energy! Such team work! Such joie de vivre! These city kids really had created something special (even though I wasn’t invited to play).

So, why on earth am I dredging up my athletic failures? Blame it on Lost & Found Theatre and their April production of Pocket Rocket, with its nod to street hockey. The way I see it, it’s finally “game on” for me — I may be inept when it comes to athletics, but I do know how to enjoy theatre. In fact I am pretty darn good at it. 

Besides, I have every confidence that this play, premiering April 20, will be as eye-opening as this country kid’s first encounter with the shout, “CAR!” 

After all, when accomplished playwrights like Gary Kirkham of Cambridge and Lea Daniel of Kitchener use road hockey as a springboard for drama and comedy, you just know it will be about much more than sports. 

So, get your tickets! Pocket Rocket is not to be missed, whether you are a hockey player, an avid bystander or, most importantly, someone who loves great theatre. Lost & Found Theatre presents Pocket Rocket April 20-30, 2016, at the The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St., Kitchener. 

Click here for ticket info.

Next: Over the next few weeks, this occasional blog will go behind the scenes into the wonderful world of street hockey — as well as exploring the deep, dark secrets of collaborative playwriting.

Extra! Extra! To get you in the mood, here is a short video celebrating street hockey from artist Dwight Storring. Watch for other videos in the weeks ahead. As well, his collection of street hockey stories will be shown each night before the Pocket Rocket performance.