Actor Richard Clarkin thrilled to be back in P.E.I.

Along with Gracie Finley, he is starring in The Gin Game at Watermark Theatre

Gracie Finley and Richard Clarkin are starring in The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn, now playing at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico.

Finley is well known to P.E.I. audiences, however it has been more than 35 years since Clarkin has appeared on stage in this province.

“I was a young actor in Saltwater Moon many years ago at the Charlottetown Festival and am thrilled to be back on stage here at Watermark in The Gin Game,” says Clarkin.

Even though it has been many years since he’s performed here, Clarkin is no stranger to the Island.

“I have very deep roots on P.E.I. with both of my parents from farm families in Kelly’s Cross and Watervale. My childhood summers meant road trips to P.E.I., and this tradition continued with my own family. I still have lots of family and a circle of dear friends here, and about five years ago my wife and I found a lovely little farmhouse in Savage Harbour and have made it a seasonal home. I’m doing work on it to make it a year-round place and look forward to spending as much time here as possible.”

Asked about working at the Watermark for the first time, Clarkin said the theatre is a gem.

“Robert has a way of surrounding himself with excellent artists and crew and being in beautiful North Rustico is icing on the cake. Our volunteers at Watermark and community support have been pretty amazing. I just feel darn lucky to have landed here.”

The Gin Game, winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, uses a card game as a metaphor for life. Weller Martin is playing solitaire on the porch of a seedy nursing home. Enter Fonsia Dorsey, a prim, self-righteous lady. They discover they both dislike the home and enjoy gin rummy, so they begin to play and to reveal intimate details of their lives.