"A courageous and sometimes sobering look at a problematic societal issue. 'Mocktails' becomes that important periodic reminder to all of us to be kind, because we often don't know what's going on in the lives of others. Sara Mayfield is a marvel in maintaining a realistically emotional balance of highs and lows."

Travelling solo, Candace (Sara Mayfield) is on her way to a Mexican destination wedding of her best friend, Jacki, and her soon-to-be husband, Ken. Upon ordering a drink from the Vancouver airport bar, Candace breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience.

Mayfield performs a nearly one-hour-long monologue that scales the highs and lows of Candace's personal and familial relationships. Hints of substance abuse occur near the top of the show. Candace downs her drink to help calm her nerves during the flight. When she arrives at the hotel before the wedding, she uses alcohol to help unwind after her flight. She sits in the lobby, watching some of the other guests and keenly observing what's going on around her. We also see how Candace behaves and responds to others at the wedding. There are moments where she feels alone in this sea of happiness for the bride and groom.

As the story continues, Candace shares details from her past with the audience. Some include the night she hooked up with a guest at the hotel and an ex-boyfriend who had a fetish for feet, Candace's in particular. A heartfelt moment is the time she recounts losing Jacki's pet cat while she was away, which altered their friendship forever.  Candace also shares how Jacki met her fiancé, Ken. This introduction bothers her because she doesn't have a significant other in her life at the moment.

All the while, Candace continues drinking at the bar.  She has a problem with alcohol and has always used it as a crutch to deal with the hardships in her life.

The simplicity of the staging (a lone chair) allows the play's impact to resonate. Lighting design smoothly transitions from brightly focused to a follow across the stage as Mayfield moves around.

What an effective costume idea of designer Shannon Tauber to have Mayfield wear a blue dress. While 'blue' signifies calm and tranquillity, on hearing the roar of the ocean waves, the colour can also mean something else. For some, blue becomes a trustworthy colour. If that is one understanding, I agree with it. Mayfield earns my complete trust as she shares her story. For others, blue can also mean sadness or discontent. If this is another understanding, I buy it entirely as well. Underneath Candace's 'party girl' persona lies a scared individual for a sundry of reasons. As a result, she develops a problem that needs to be addressed and requires some help.

Damon Bradley Jang directs with a clear vision. He doesn't hit the audience over the head immediately with this problematic societal issue of alcohol abuse. Instead, he allows Mayfield to explore gradually through comic and poignant moments what is occurring within Candace. The pacing never feels rushed as the audience, and then Candace, finally sees what's going on and that the young woman needs help.

Sara Mayfield remains a marvel in maintaining a realistically emotional balance of highs and lows in her Candace. The humorous moments made me smile without it becoming way over the top. The same occurred with the poignant moments that never descended into over-the-top despondency. Mayfield remains in complete control as she shares her story. She allows the audience to feel what she feels internally.

'Who Drinks Mocktails on the Beach?' becomes a vital teaching monologue for young people to understand that one does not need alcohol to fit in. Mayfield's script serves as a sobering reminder to be kind to others, as we genuinely do not know what battles they may be fighting.

Running time: approximately 60 minutes.

The performance runs from July 9 to 12 at Tarragon Theatre's Extraspace.

PAINTED FERN PRODUCTIONS present
'Who Drinks Mocktails on the Beach' by Sara Mayfield

Performed by Sara Mayfield
Directed by Damon Bradley Jang
Costume Designer: Shannon Tauber