FITCHBURG — Stratton Players continues their 99th season with a unique, immersive theatre experience at Fitchburg’s beloved Fay Club.
“High Tea with Lucy Fay and her Friends” will be performed from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the club, located at 658 Main St. (Snow date Saturday, March 9).
Written and directed by Stratton Players Chair, Sally Cragin, audience members will get to interact with actors portraying remarkable Fitchburg personages from previous decades and enjoy a sumptuous “High Tea” repast.
“Lucy Fay is the daughter of George Flagg Fay, and she gave her family home to Fitchburg’s Park Club in 1910,” explains Cragin. “The afternoon will begin with several of Lucy’s friends dressed in period apparel who will greet Lucy’s guests when they arrive. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the spacious and warm environment of the club’s parlor.”
Fay’s guests will include Fitchburg’s poet laureate, Caroline Atherton Mason, the Rev. George Trask, the “one-man anti-tobacco apostle,” Fay Crocker and Helen Stratton, who are intimate friends of Fay’s and know one another from Christ Church (across Main Street from the Fay Club).
Cyrus Thurston, the “Overseer of the Poor” will also be present to give a report on the state of impoverished families in Fitchburg.
Guests will have an opportunity to interact with the Friends, while enjoying delightful dulcimer music from the Noel Plouffe of The Thurston Consort.
“There also may be some unexpected guests,” Cragin adds. “Upstairs, following the ‘High Tea’, our Friends will reassemble and provide some wit, merriment, and even a song while diners enjoy the Thurston Consort Cello Duet.”
“A High Tea” can occur during the afternoon and invariably includes delectable dishes easily consumed and much hot tea (with lemon, or cream or milk and sugar) to fuel conversation,” said Craign. “Some would say it is the most civilized meal you may have in the course of a day.”
Fay’s friends lived from the 1850s into the 1920s – her guests are welcome to wear period clothing if desired, “or come in festive apparel,” Cragin said, “as winter is so dark and dreary.”
The “High Tea” is open to the general public, and there will be a silent auction and raffle to benefit the Stratton Players.
This event is held with the support of the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance and the 658 Foundation.
Tickets are $49 per adult; and $22 per child. Reservations are available online at https://order.toasttab.com/online/the-fay-club; or you may send a check for the full amount to The Fay Club, PO Box 54, Fitchburg, MA 01420
