26 SEP 2017: I get to Gravenhurst every summer for a few hours, most often to attend their fantastic farmer’s market, or walk through town, stopping at antique shops or cafes for lunch or coffee. The city is most renowned as the birthplace of Henry Norman Bethune in 1890, but since my visit last week, I shall associate it with Laundry. Sexy Laundry.

Bethune was a confirmed communist and was eulogized after his death by Mao Zedong, of the people’s republic of China. He is in the Canadian history books for his endorsement of universal health care, and his recovery from tuberculosis and creation of mobile units for blood transfusions during the war affected his impact on medicine.

The man had his share of heart issues too, having married Frances Penney in 1923 then losing her to a divorce around when he contracted tuberculosis about three years later.

The lung disease didn’t return, but Penney did and the couple remarried in 1929. By the mid-thirties Bethune had designed surgical tools that still remain in use today, although he and his wife severed their marriage for a second time in ’33.

A statue of Bethune is erected downtown, next door to the Gravenhurst Opera House.

The opera house was built in 1901 and enjoys the architectural details of that era with a hardwood ceiling and spectacular chandeliers. It is just about to end a successful theatre season under the tutelage of its artistic director Dave Campbell.

The heritage building has welcomed talent the likes of Kate Reid, Barbara Hamilton and Donald Sutherland, and the season’s final summer theatre production (showing until September 29) is directed by one of Canada’s most honoured actors, Sheila McCarthy.

‘Sexy Laundry’ is part of this year’s all-Canadian line up (Canada 150) written by BC resident Michele Riml. The show has been performed around the world.

The main floor bar of the theatre is presently adorned with hanging laundry, more practical than sexy to be sure. The plays are viewed from the second floor, where I caught stage manager, Robin Clipshaw scaling a vertical ladder to the balcony to oversee the day’s performance. She shared her enthusiasm for the current season.

Sexy Laundry is about a couple married for 25 years discussing the tribulations of their marriage in a hotel room. The play is sweet, sad, silly and serious, and the actors Debbie Collins and Brian Paul deliver perfect timing and chemistry.

The curtain may be falling on the 2017 season, but rumours of next year’s productions are promising. And the charming town of Gravenhurst sets the scene for a pleasant destination, just a two-hour hop and a gitch from Toronto.