The Minor Keys: A Romantic Comedy

David E. Kemp, a former professor of drama at Queen’s University, is
the author of The Pleasures and Treasures of the United Kingdom.

David Belke studied stage design at the University of Alberta. He now
fills many different roles in the theatre—performer, designer,
producer, award-winning writer, and teacher. His plays have been
presented across Canada and in Northern Ireland and the United States.
He is currently resident playwright and designer with Edmonton’s
Shadow Theatre.

The Minor Keys, his 13th play, is reminiscent of a black-and-white
1940s movie. Hank owns the basement Combo Jazz Club, an establishment
that has definitely seen better days, but is reasonably well run, thanks
to efforts of Amelia, the do-everything barmaid. Unknown to Amelia, Hank
has borrowed money from local mobster Little Mike Conroy in order to
keep the club open.

As the play opens, Little Mike turns up demanding repayment. If he
doesn’t get his money, he will turn the club into a rock-and-roll
joint. A club regular is Professor Damon, who comes to the club to mark
papers and listen to the music (not necessarily in that order); he has a
Henry Higgins–Eliza Doolittle relationship with Amelia. Also on hand
is Eddie, a brash young accountant and bass player; MacDuff and his
painfully shy girlfriend, Tracy; and Buddy Quirrchy, a bebop Buddhist
who might buy, and therefore save, the Combo Club.

In his introduction, Belke likens the play’s structure to that of a
jazz combo, in which each instrument takes the lead for a while before
sliding back to support another soloist. This funny, well-constructed,
and exuberant play features fully realized characters who engage our
sympathies as well as our interest.