The Citizen, 2009-07-30, Page 22A man, a podium, and the wit and
intelligence of Oscar Wilde are all
that’s needed at Stratford’s Tom
Patterson Theatre for relaxing
entertainment.
Well, perhaps it helps that the man
in question is Brian Bedford, whose
impeccable diction and timing put
all emotions perfectly into place in
Ever Yours, Oscar, a compilation and
reading of Wilde’s letters.
Bedford saw an autobiography in
the collection when he first read
them 50 years ago. But it was about
a decade ago that the idea of sharing
them with an audience through a
one-man show began to take shape.
When Bedford, who also directs,
learned that Wilde’s most successful
play The Importance of Being
Earnest was to be part of the 2009
season, he thought the show would
be a perfect companion piece.
It does, however, stand well on its
own too. Educator, lecturer and
director Peter Wylde has gathered
Wilde’s letters together binding
them seamlessly with details that
both explain and serve as segués.
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills
Wilde was born in Dublin, Oct. 16,
1854. Home in his early years, he
went on to study at Trinity College
in Dublin and Magdalen College
Oxford where he became known for
his academic brilliance and his
colourful dress and personality.
Married with two children, Wilde
worked as a journalist, while
producing a wide variety of written
works including the controversial
novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.
It was a love affair with Lord
Alfred Douglas, son of the Marquess
of Queensberry, that eventually led
to his incarceration on charges of
gross indecency, bitterly ironic in
that it came on the heels of his
greatest succes, The Importance of
Being Ernest.
An entertaining writer, whose
letters were peppered with a quicksardonic humour, Wilde through hiscommunications is amusinglyinsightful providing insight intohimself and his life, but also
illustrating his admirable
perspicacity and remarkable
intelligence.
But there is also a tragic element
revealed in his letters from prison, an
experience which affected him
negatively and from which he never
recovered.
What stands out is how much onewishes they could have enjoyed aconversation with this man, and acertainty that he would have beenliked.
Bedford’s own respect and
affection for Wilde is evident in his
recitations. And while his presence
typically does command the stage,
this is all one can count on for any
element of entertainment here. Not
even the story carries much surprise.
And with some of the pauses being a
tad too pregnant, it lags at times. The end result is that Ever Yours,Oscar isn’t the kind of theatricalexperience you will find yourselfdiscussing at length for days
after.
But there’s no question Wilde was
a fascinating man and having
Bedford talk about him is certainly
not an unpleasant way to spend some
time.
Ever Yours, Oscar is at the Tom
Patterson Theatre until Aug. 29.
PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009.Stratford reviewEver Yours a tribute to Wilde’s wit, intellect
A man and his letters
Brian Bedford appears and directs the one-man
performance of Ever Yours, Oscar, a collection of letters
penned by Oscar Wilde, staged at the Tom Patterson
Theatre in Stratford. (David Hou photo)
A Blyth man has taken first prize
at the 2009 Huron County Art
Show.
Ron Walker’s Late Winter
Landscape #2 took the top honour.
Second prize went to Pumpkins in
Exeter by Elizabeth Carr, Zurich
while third prize was for On the
Forest Floor #2, Amanita
Mushrooms by Anne Laviolette,
Bayfield.
Honourable mentions were
awarded to: The Homestead, Paul
Cousteils, Goderich; Off
Mill/Airport, Tristan Eekhoff,
Stephen Twp.; Brothers, Monica
Eckert, Seaforth; Just a Memory,
Barbara Grace, Goderich; Tamarack,
William Creighton, Goderich;
Clinton Public Library, Dick
Roorda, Clinton and Weathered
Wood, Catherine Weber, Exeter.
The viewer’s choice was Black-
Legged Kittiwake by Pam Lobb,
Clinton.
The top three winning paintings
will become part of the Huron
County Art Bank. These paintings
are purchased by the County of
Huron from a bequest from the
estate of Susannah Lattimer.
Paintings in the Art Bank remain
on display in various county
buildings. To view winning
paintings from past years and
discover where they are hanging
now you can check out the Huron
County Art Bank at:
http://www.huroncounty.ca/museum
/huronart.html
This year’s show features 59
paintings by 36 artists from across
Huron County.
The Huron County Art Show and
Sale is on display from July 19 - Jan.
2 at the Huron County Museum in
Goderich.
The special exhibit is open to the
public during museum hours
Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30
p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Regular admission rates apply.
Walker wins at county art show
404 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
We have many terrific
books available at...The Citizen
Summertime Reading
BARNYARD GAMES &
PUZZLES
For kids who like the
farm this book contains
100 mazes, word games,
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illustrated with lots of
cartoon barnyard
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AGGIE’S STORMS
Grey County writer Donna
Mann imagines the turn-of-
the-20th-century, Grey
County childhood that
shaped the legendary
Agnes Macphail, Canada’s
first woman member of
parliament and steadfast
defender of rural life. $15.00
DRONE ON!
A High History of Celtic
Music
The bagpipes of Celtic
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continue to hold a
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Czulinski examines the
roots and creators of Celtic
music and the instruments
they used. $19.95
FIDDLE AND FLY
Young readers can learn
about what life was like for
pioneer young people
through this book. Based on
his own family’s history as
first-generation white settlers
in Grey County, Neil Aitken
creates a story of two
fictional boys and their
experiences. $18.00
GRASS-FED CATTLE:
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With more and more
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$33.95
EVEN COWS GO TO
HEAVEN
Linda Knox tells the
often funny story of
her father Melville
Knox who was born
near Stratford, trained
at Ontario Veterinary
College, and practised
veterinary medicine in
Grey County for many
years. $14.95
Graduation
Candice Ross
graduated from Medix
School
in London May 2009
as a Medical Office
Administrator.
Candice is employed at
Stratford Hospital.
Way to go Candice.
Love Mom, Keith, Mike,
Kiara and Jake
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Classified advertisements published in The Citizen
are now available on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca