Iris Trimble is trying to hold it all together. She may very well fly off the face of the earth if she doesn't hang on to the kitchen counter. At least that's how she feels after her mother, Bernice, a lively, recently widowed fifty-five-year-old breaks the news that she has early onset Alzheimer's. To cope with the stress, Iris makes her mother's famous Everything-That-Is-Bad-For-You casserole, a childhood favourite. Her siblings, on the other hand, are on opposite sides of the spectrum: Sara, the eldest, irately calls for a second opinion, while Peter, the youngest, seems completely unfazed. As for Bernice, she's still as vivacious as ever, always up for a good laugh, and, most of all, ready to finally put herself first.

Production history

The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble premiered by Obsidian Theatre and Factory Theatre, directed by Philip Akin. 

Produced again at Theatre Network, Persephone Theatre, Prairie Theatre Exchange and the Great Canadian Theatre Company. 

Awards and Press

Shortlisted for the 2015 Governor General’s Award

Received the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Alberta Literary Award

“This is, for obvious reasons, an upsetting play; it’s also a riveting one.” Robert Cushman, National Post

“There isn’t a dry eye at the end of this incredibly powerful and extremely a-propos piece of theatre.” Jennifer Hartley, Ottawa Life

“it’s the kind of show that touches you so deeply that a camaraderie is built within the audience.” Megan Mooney, Mooney on Theatre 

For licensing inquiries contact Ian Arnold at Catalyst Management - ian@catalysttcm.com

The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble playscript available at Playwrights Canada Press