Stag and Doe

By Mark Crawford

Bonnie and Brad are having a party to raise money for their upcoming wedding—the cost of which has secretly gotten out of control. Their wisecracking Maid of Honour, Dee, is still getting over being left at the altar seven years ago—and now she has to come face-to-face with her ex. Bridezilla Mandy and her doting groom Rob are getting married today—even though their big white tent blew away in last night’s storm. And oh yeah…single dad Jay just found out his entire catering staff is in jail! It’s all happening at the same time, in the same community hall kitchen, in the same small town.

Taking place over one eventful Saturday in June, the two couples strike a deal to share the local reception hall for their Stag and Doe and wedding. Among the unset Jell-o shots, a missing wedding cake, and a disastrous first dance, past relationships are examined, current couples are put to the test, and new romance blossoms.

By turns wildly funny and unexpectedly touching, Stag and Doe offers a look at a distinctly rural Canadian prenuptial tradition…and shines a light on the nature of love, marriage, and weddings.

Production History

Stag and Doe premiered in 2014 at the Blyth Festival as part of its 40th Anniversary Season. The director and dramaturge for the world premiere was Miles Potter.

Stag and Doe has quickly become one of the most-produced Canadian plays of the decade, with seven subsequent productions in less than two years.

It has played to critical and audience acclaim at Neptune Theatre, Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Lighthouse Festival Theatre (with tour to Showboat Festival), Upper Canada Playhouse, Festival Players of Prince Edward County, and Theatre Orangeville (with tour to Theatre Collingwood).

Stag and Doe was translated into Polish by Elżbieta Woźniak and a production began playing in rep at Teatr Powszechny w Lodzi, Poland in 2019