Void? What Void?

Originally published in Northumberland News, April 9, 2024

Heather Jopling takes us on a journey of self-discovery in her deeply personal one-woman show.

Who are we outside of our typical labels and roles: parent, spouse, employee?

Heather Jopling takes us on a journey of self-discovery in her deeply personal one-woman show playing at the Firehall Theatre in Cobourg.

Presented by The Northumberland Players and Big Red Productions and produced by Jack Boyagian, “Void? What Void? Diary of an Empty Nester” is a charming and heartfelt existential crisis. The show is co-directed by David Hoare and written and performed by Jopling.

Jopling, a self-proclaimed over-sharer, tells the story of becoming an empty nester after her daughter, Rissa, leaves for university. As Jopling says in her director’s notes, “Adjusting to this evolution has been challenging, but also very rewarding. It led me to this show.”

As someone who has had the pleasure of watching a number of Northumberland Players productions over the years, Jopling has been one of those actors who always captures my attention on stage. Living in a small community, it’s fun to recognize her out in public as a local actor.

In this show, we get a glimpse behind the curtain on Jopling’s life. Deeply personal and extremely funny, we watch her navigate who she is now that her baby bird has flown the nest, one hobby at a time.

She reflects on the aging process with both honesty and humour. From body image and “torso squatters” to the goals and dreams she had for herself outside her role as mother and wife, Jopling bares it all.

I admire her for writing and sharing her process during this passage in time. Her words about self-identity and personal accomplishments brought me comfort and perspective with thoughts I’m struggling with in my own life.

I knew it was going to be hard to be an objective reviewer when my eyes filled with tears as she hit some big topics, but that happens when you put it all out there. You end up touching a complete stranger.

The use of voiceovers and graphic design (Lauren Page Russell) really enrich the storytelling, especially when we all get a quick and dirty Danish lesson. The interchangeable set was really well done and thoughtfully executed, taking use from an airplane to Heather’s kitchen to rock climbing and beyond.

Don’t miss the chance to see this show. It’s original and another great example of the wonderful talent we have within this community. “Void? What Void?” plays at the Firehall Theatre in Cobourg until April 14.

Kristin Andrews, Northumberland News