HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-06-14, Page 23To many it’s still a black and white
world.
And Harper Lee’s Pulitizer Prize-
winning novel To Kill A
Mockingbird is a poignant reminder
that this is not how it should be.
The production, a dramatization
by Christopher Sergel, now playing
at Stratford’s Avon Theatre boasts a
remarkable cast and straightforward
direction and design.
Penned by Lee in the late 1950s,
Mockingbird is a poignant story of
race relations in 1935 Alabama.
Atticus Finch is a liberal lawyer who
takes on the case of a black man,
(Dion Johnstone) wrongly accused
of raping a white woman.
As he fights for justice in a place
where most decisions are based less
on integrity and more on colour, his
children Jem and Scout (Jean
Louise) learn some harsh realities.
The children meet a new friend
Dill and interact with a number of
neighbours. There is the stolid Miss
Maude (Patricia Collins), the aging,
ill Mrs. Dubose (Joyce Campion)
and the mysterious, elusive Boo
Radley (Laird Mackintosh).
It is a summer that changes their
lives forever.
The Avon production is good, but
gently so. Rather than being highly
emotional, the production eases
along with a southern grace. The
story unfolds as pages of a novel to a
book lover; there is a sense of the
highs and lows, there is substance,
there is emotion. But there is a calm
beneath it.
Directed by Susan H. Schulman,
Mockingbird moves steadily, but
without surprise. The use of
spirituals, however, was a nice touch
effectively achieving the goal of
keeping the audience’s awareness of
the black community in the play
alive.
The design by Charlotte Dean
evokes the 1930s south perfectly.
One can almost hear the cicadas and
feel the humidity.
The production is blessed by a
good cast. Peter Donaldson gives a
worthy performance as the solid and
just Atticus. The two boys, Thomas
Murray, a Seaforth-area native, as
Jem and Spencer Walker as Dill are
full of the wonder of youth in a
world that has suddenly become a bit
of a surprise.
And Abigail Winter-Culliford as
Scout is nothing short of remarkable.
She gives a charmingly endearing
performance as the irrepressible
tomboy. Like the mischievous little
one with the sweet face and ready
smile you forgive her anything and
can’t help but adore her.
If there’s a weakness, it’s the
character of Jean Louise, Scout
grown up. While Michelle Giroux’s
narration is delivered in a honey
smooth tone, her presence in the
play does nothing to enhance it.
Rather her appearances distract,
interrupting plot, and the depictions
of more interesting characters.
It’s a mild annoyance, much like a
fly on a perfect day. Don’t let it
bother you and enjoy the good stuff.
To Kill A Mockingbird appears at
the Avon until Oct. 27
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2007. PAGE 23.Entertainment Leisure&
Lessons in life
Scout (Abigail Winter-Culliford) gets some words of
wisdom from her father Peter Donaldson in this scene
from Stratford’s Avon Theatre production of the classic To
Kill A Mockingbird. (Claus Andersen photo)
Theatre reviewGentle ‘Mockingbird’ at Avon
This summer, Huron Country
Playhouse is where you want to be
for the hilarious musical whodunit
The Last Resort. Starting June 26
audiences will put their detective
skills to the test as they try to
separate fact from fiction, but
beware – nothing is what it seems in
this madcap mystery.
A New York businessman on the
run from the mob causes havoc and
confusion at a secluded hotel in rural
Saskatchewan in this uproarious
romp from Norm Foster and Leslie
Arden.
“Norm Foster is Canada’s most
produced playwright and this show
is testament to the incredible talent
that we have in Canadian theatre,”
says Alex Mustakas, artistic director
of Drayton Entertainment. “With an
impressive musical score by Leslie
Arden, this dynamic comedy is
guaranteed to leave the audience in
stitches.”
In this cast of outrageous
characters, each has a secret to hide
– including a crooked carpet
salesman, a philandering poet, and a
pair of calculating twins battling
over an inheritance. Music,
mayhem and mirth run rampant as
these eccentric characters sing their
way through a story that’s full of
murderous twists and turns.
Eight performers have been
assembled under the direction of
Marc Richard for this wily comedy,
including Sheldon Davis, John
Devorski, Stuart Dowling, Susan
Johnston Collins, Robert Latimer,
Cara Leslie, Brett McCaig and
Shelley Simester.
The Last Resort plays eight shows
a week, June 26 through July 14.
Tickets can be ordered by calling the
Huron Country Playhouse Box
Office at
519-238-6000 or toll free at
1-888-449-4463. Visit
www.huroncountryplayhouse.com Blyth Rd., Auburn 519-526-7759
NOW LICENSED
UNDER LIQUOR LICENCE ACT
OF ONTARIO
Stickers Family Restaurant
Monday - 6:30 - 4:00;
Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00;
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:30 - 9:00;
Sunday 9:00 - 7:00
Saturday,
June 16
1/2 rack of ribs,
baked potato
& vegetable
$9.95
5 pm - Closing
Friday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm
Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm
Forthcoming
Marriage
Kelly Clark and
Andrew Wharton
invite you to celebrate
their wedding
Saturday, June 16, 2007.
Open reception 9 pm
at the Blyth
Community Centre.
Happy 60th
Birthday
Mom & Grandma
(Lynda)
June 14
Love your girls
and grandchildren
Forthcoming
Marriage
Keith and Rita Mulvey
and
Al and Carrie Rose
are happy to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their children
Kim and Adam
on June 23, 2007
in London, ON
Happy 90th
Birthday
Isabel Alcock
June 25th
Love - Bill and Helene,
Caroline, Betty, Ross and Cora,
Murray and Barb,
and all their families
X X O O
Family Benefit
Dance
for
Brad and Maureen
Montgomery & family
(who lost their house to fire)
June 22nd
8 pm - 1 am
Blyth Community Centre
Entertainment & Silent Auction
Lunch provided
For more information call
519-482-9068
or 519-523-9619
8800tthh BBiirrtthhddaayy
OOppeenn HHoouussee
for
DDaann MMccIInnnneess
Sunday, June 24
Blyth United Church
Basement
2 pm - 4 pm
Everyone Welcome!
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Music, murder,
mayhem
at Playhouse