The Citizen, 2009-08-13, Page 19From opening scene to final song,
Blyth Festival’s world premier of
The Nuttalls, had the audience in
stitches for almost the entire
presentation.
Actually, to say the laughs started
with opening scene is misleading as
they truly began while artistic
director Eric Coates was making his
familiar welcome speech for
opening night.
Outstanding as Ev, the
antagonistic mother, Catherine Fitch
interrupts Coates with her own
views on the story about to be
staged. Not to give away too much,
her interlude hilariously
foreshadows what is to come.
As the lights come up, Gil Garratt,
as the less then ambitious son Ec,
enters the kitchen. With not a word
uttered, the audience is already
laughing at Ec’s intriguing activities.
Though it may be unclear for the
first few minutes just what he is up
to, as the story unfolds, so too does
the convoluted scheme of this
seemingly ungrateful and lazy son.
The relationship between mother
and son is a very complicated one as
they attempt to manage a cottage
resort.
Though they seem to annoy each
other at every turn – she pounding it
into him that he is cowardly, he
questioning her morals – they also
appear to be dependent on each
other. Because of her phobia, she is
unable to properly look after the
cottages, while he is still striving to
prove his worth to a mother whom
he sees as having little intelligence.
A trait shared by mother with
regards to her son.
The one-act play moves along
rapidly, with only a couple instances
where the audience seemed to be
waiting just a little too long for the
action to resume. For when in
motion, it was generally full steam
ahead.
While considered one-act, as no
formal intermission was included,
the unusual mid-play break was as
hilarious as the play itself. Though
given permission by Ec to leave the
theatre if a break were required, I
believe few did for fear of missing
the laughs.
The portrayal of Ec by Garratt as
the lazy, longhaired son who
sponged off his parent definitely hit
the target. The 1970’s-inspired
mullet, belly scratching and pill
pushing immediately cast the
character as one of which to be wary.
Fitch as Ev is the perfect
counterpoint to Ec’s jabs. As a
shrewish mother, who can never be
satisfied and freely voices her
disappointment, her sharp barbs
strike back.
And yet, after striking the blow,
she tells her son how special he is.
Though early in the presentation,
the lies between mother and son
appear to be small, the immensity
and life-altering impact becomes
apparent as the story progresses.
The story is filled with humour in
the telling, though the underlying
theme appears very dark. And that is
were the twist in the tale arrives.
The story rises out of the darkness
in the second half to find more
comedy as the tales unravel, some of
the truth becomes known and a new
life begins for both Ev and Ec.
Catherine Burns, as Beeb, Ec’s ex-
fiance, appears only briefly towards
the end of the production, but it is
her part in the mother/son story
which is partially to blame for the
animosity between them yet the
catalyst for the new beginning.
The Nuttalls is another excellent
production staged at the Blyth
Festival and one, which absolutely
should not be missed if you have any
affection at all for a lot of laughter.
The Nuttalls runs until Sept. 5.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2009. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&
Another opening
The fourth offering in this Blyth Festival season opened
Friday night, as Michael Healey’s The Nuttalls took the
stage. Gil Garratt and Catherine Fitch appear as a mother
and son. (Terry Manzo photo)
Theatre review‘Nuttalls’ keep you laughing from start to finish
60th Wedding Anniversary
Margaret & Graham Work
August 6, 1949 ~ 2009
Love from your family
Forthcoming Marriage
Warren and Judy Beuerman
of R.R. #4, Walton
are happy to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their daughter
Melissa Judith
to
John Charles
son of
Bob and Angela Beacom
of R.R. #1, Blyth.
The wedding will take place on
Saturday, August 15, 2009
at Egmondville United Church.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19/09 – 7PM
CENTENNIAL HALL - LONDON
Tickets available at
The Centennial Hall Box Office.
Charge by Phone 519-672-1967
www.centennialhall.london.ca
Happy 60th Birthday
Don Deitner
August 11 and
Congratulations to
Madelaine
on becoming an LDSS
Ontario Scholar
Love your family
No more single digits for me, I
was ‘10’ yesterday, August 12.
Having a great summer so far,
we went out West for 2 weeks,
I’ve been playing baseball,
having friends over and now I
get to top it off with a great
Birthday Bash...Life is good!!
See ya next year, Love Alexis
Merner.
Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, August 16
9 am - 12 pm
Blyth Memorial
Community Hall
All proceeds go to the Blyth
Festival Young Company
By Janice Becker
Special to The Citizen