It’s 1962, and the Flucks are relishing their freedom now that their 30-something children have finally left the nest. Suddenly their son flings himself over the garden fence on the run from the mob, followed by his sister who has just left her husband. As Hilda’s yard fills with unexpected guests, the stakes and the laughs grow in this heartwarming family comedy.
The generation gap between the parents and the children is large and what may seem like far out ideas to the parents are reasonable to the new generation. The contrast between generations and the difficulties in seeing a situation in someone else’s shoes, especially when your values are set in stone is a major theme in the play. Hilda’s Yard is chock-full of Foster’s well- known humour, even as it delves into the depths of the serious issues of Gary’s post-traumatic stress disorder and Janey’s spousal abuse. The contradictions inherent in the quirky characters lead to many comedic moments. In the end, despite the challenges of the day ties of love, family, and friendship prevail and we come to understand that family dynamics really have not changed much over the decades.