HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-06-28, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2007. PAGE 23.Entertainment Leisure&
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
is a study in life — of what and who
are valued and of value. From the
tired old dog, to the ingenuous
Lennie, Steinbeck raised questions
regarding quality of life and
another’s right to decide.
The intimate Tom Patterson
Theatre in Stratford is the right
venue for this profound, yet simple
work. The audience feels part of
what’s happening, as if they are in on
the tough choices that must be made.
No eleborate sets are necessary, no
grand stage required.
Actually, a good portion of the
stage at the theatre was rarely used
as it was during the production.
Stratford’s Of Mice and Men
boasts Academy-Award nominee
Graham Greene as the mentally-
limited Lennie Small. Known best
for his role as Kicking Bird in
Dances With Wolves Green gives us a
mischievous, child-like Lennie. He
conveys a hint of, if not intellect,
then insight beneath the simple
mind.
Lennie and his friend George
(Nicolas Van Burek) are itinerant
workers, who come to Soledad,
California in search of work during
the Depression. They are fleeing
from their previous job where
Lennie who loves to stroke soft
things, tried to stroke a girl's dress,
and she thought he was trying to
rape her.
Having pledged to care for Lennie,
George shares his dream with him of
eventually settling down on their
own piece of land. Lennie will care
for the rabbits, a part of the story he
never tires of telling or hearing.
This dream almost becomes
reality when a disabled farm hand
offers them money to be a partner in
their farm. However, after Lennie,
who has never been able to
understand his own strength,
accidently kills the boss’s daughter-
in-law, he is forced to run again, and
George then faces a difficult choice.
In the beginning Van Burek comes
across as too angry, rather than
frustrated. It’s difficult to accept he
would stay with, let alone care
about, Lennie. Later, however he
does shift to a tone of grudging
acceptance that better reflects
compassion.
Among the cast are two Blyth
alumni, Jerry Franken as Candy and
Robert King as Carlson. Franken has
probably never been better than in
the role of the tired, disabled
farmhand, while King proves you
can shine in a supporting role.
There is only one female in the
cast, and on this night, understudy
Tova Smith stepped in and did a
worthy job.
Balancing the testosterone as well
is director Martha Henry, who
sustained a natural gentleness in the
production beneath all the
machismo.
Of Mice and Men plays at the Tom
Patterson Theatre until Sept. 22.
It’s a nice way to get you
thinking.
Theatre reviewThe perfect place for ‘Mice and Men’
Dreaming
Nicolas van Burek as George, right, shares dreams of the
future with Lennie, played by Graham Greene in the Tom
Patterson Theatre’s production of John Steinbeck’s classic
Of Mice and Men. (David Hou photo)
To find out more about offering high school students work experience contact the
Foundation for Enriching Education Perth Huron
at 519-527-0111 ext 231 or visit www.foundationforeducation.on.ca
Training students today creates a pool of
skilled workers for tomorrow
Sponsored by the Ontario Learning Partnership Group and the Provincial Partnership Council
Supported by The Ontario Ministry of Education and The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Seaforth & Area
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Seaforth Firehall
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Happy 1st Birthday
June 29th
Jackson Ramsey
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&
Grampa and Grama M.
(Ron Carter & Michelle
Buurs)
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Wish you were home
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