HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-07-12, Page 27It takes chemistry to put the spark
in a love story. Darren Keay and
Ingrid Haas, who play the leads in
Blyth Festival’s production of Gary
Kirkham’s Queen Milli of Galt
certainly have it.
The idea for this story of a star-
crossed romance began with a
tombstone inscription.
Kirkwood, a resident of Galt,
learned of a woman from his
hometown whose tombsone read
“Millicent Milroy: Wife of Edward
VIII Duke of Windsor”. Yes, that
Edward, the same Edward who
married American divorcee Wallis
Simpson.
Kirkwood said he got goosebumps
when he realized that Milroy was
still alive when she had the
monument erected, and refused to
give details about meeting the Prince
of Wales 50 years earlier.
Inspired by the story he didn’t
know, the playwright set out to glean
what information he could from
newspaper articles, rolls of
microfiche, boxes of notes and the
prince’s letters. By the end he felt he
knew the characters well enough to
begin his play, his version of what
may have transpired.
There is a genuine warmth to the
Blyth production, aided in no small
measure by the winning
characterizations of Milli and the
prince. As Edward, Keay is a
conflicted royal, who desires
nothing more than to live a normal
life. “Let us don our camouflage. It’s
time to become the Prince of Wales,”
he tells Milli as a social event.
Keay’s prince is that of little girl’s
dreams — dashing, lively, witty and
charming beyond belief. As well he
creates a character who is both
adorable and worthy of our
sympathy.
As Milli, Haas, achieves that
tricky balance of strength and
vulnerability to perfection. Inside
her realist beats the heart of an
idealist, all too well aware of what
life is really like, but open to the
beauty it may bring.
While a spoon that he received
from his father as a child reminds
Edward that to love does not not
necessarily mean to be loved, Milli
seeks solace from lost love in the
comfort of flowers and earth.
The pair are supported ably by
Rebecca Auberbach as flamboyant
friend Mona, Jefferson Mappin as
the faithful Godfrey and Randi
Helmers as Mrs. Milroy.
Directed by Festival artistic
director Eric Coates, the play floats
along as smoothly as Milli’s beloved
swans gliding on Lake Orr. Scene
changes are frequent, but with little
interruption to the flow of the
production.
Jennifer Triemstra’s costumes are
fun, and the set design by Steve
Lucas is bare bones, but all you
need, proving you can trust
imagination to fill in the blanks.
The production is a pleasant
experience. Like Edward, you too
just may fall in love with Milli.
The Blyth Festival production of
Queen Milli of Galt, is on stage until
Aug. 11.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2007. PAGE 27.Entertainment Leisure&Theatre reviewActors bring ‘Queen Milli’s’ romance to life
A royal greeting
A charming Prince Edward VIII (Darren Keay) makes the acquaintance of Millicent Milroy
(Ingrid Haas) in Blyth Festival’s Queen Milli of Galt, written by Gary Kirkwood and playing in
repertoire until Aug. 11. (Terry Manzo photo)
This summer, Grand Bend’s
Playhouse II is presenting
internationally-acclaimed Canadian
hit comedy Mom’s The Word,
starting July 10.
Created in 1993 by Linda A.
Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly,
Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard and
Deborah Williams, known together
as The Mom’s Collective, Mom’s
The Word is a play about the
challenges of parenting with issues
that relate to both women and men.
After thousands of performances
and 23 new productions in 10
countries including London’s West
End and a seven-year run in
Australia, Mom’s The Word makes
its way to the shores of Lake Huron.
Follow the trials and tribulations
of five unique women as they share
insights on the highs, lows and
never-ending demands they
experienced as new mothers. Packed
with well-written humour and
candid insights, Mom’s the Word is a
funny and thoughtful presentation of
the different experiences each
woman brings to the job.
Presented in a number of side-
splitting vignettes, no subject is off
limits. From boisterous discussions
about feminism and stinky diapers,
to whispered confessionals about
dwindled love lives and feelings of
inadequacy, the touching anecdotes
in this play cover everything from
the joy of pregnancy to the pain of
childbirth.
Mom’s the Word is a truly
charming concoction that scales the
dizzying spectrum of motherhood
and its many forms.
Mom’s The Word plays eight
shows a week, July 10 through Aug.
18. Call 519-238-6000 or toll free at
1-888-449-4463. Visit the website at
www.huroncountryplayhouse.com
8 1/2 tables in play at Cranbrook
Love from Christina,Jamie-Lee & Jason
Happy 10th Anniversary
Mom & Dad
(Kim & Darrel Eckert)
July 12
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,
July 14
Fish Fry
5 pm - Closing
Friday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm
Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm
Benefit Dance
to help cover travel expenses and
accommodations for
Jason and Donna (Pattison) Young and
baby Matthew, born December 22, 2006
(1 lb. 14 oz, present weight 10 lb. 1 oz.)
Matthew has remained in London
Hospital since delivery.
Saturday, July 14
Wingham Legion
9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Tickets $5.00 ea.
or donation at the door.
For more information phone
519-357-1790 or
519-357-2817
Lunch, silent auction,
door prizes, 50-50 draw
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
‘Mom’s The Word’ at Playhouse II
The Friday night euchre party at
the Cranbrook hall had eight 1/2
tables at play. It was hosted by Allan
Edgar, Viola Adams, Neil and Edna.
Winners were: share the wealth,
Isabelle Craig, Lloyd Smith;
travelling lone hand, Eleanor
Stevenson; ladies’ high, Viola
Adams; ladies’ low, Isabelle Craig;
ladies’lone hands, Shirley Kingsley;
men’s high, Allan Edgar; men’s low,
Beryl Smith; men’s lone hands, Neil
Hatt.
The following are the lucky tally
winners: Lloyd Smith, Leona
McDonald, Ray Kingsley, Helen
Dobson, Bill Craig, Kathleen
Whaley, Earl McNaughton, Mary
Davidson, Leslie Knight, Myrna
Burnett, Rex Whaley and Yvonne
Knight.
The next euchre party will be held
on Friday, July 20 at 8 p.m.
The Brubachers of Ethel
Restaurant & Bakery
As of July 7, 2007 we
are permanently closed.
Thank you for your
patronage over the last
4 years & 8 months.