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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-07-04, Page 31Entertainment THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY. JULY 4, 1990. PAGE 31. Country Playhouse plans plays for children Wooing the ladies Roberta Maxwell as Mistress Alice Ford, left, and Patricia Conolly as Mistress Meg Page pretend to lead on the “dear” Sir John Falstaff played by James Blendick in Stratford’s “Merry Wives of Windsor”. Falstaff isa penniless knight, who tries to woo the ladies in an attempt to get money. They in turn decide to teach him a lesson. ^healre review Don’t mess with success BY BONNIE GROPP The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare’s popular comedy that is presently on stage at Stratford’s Avon Theatre, has a strong cast of talented performers and is overall, not bad. However, one detriment to the production is a major one. I personally dislike the recent trend at Stratford of transporting Shake­ speare’s plays and characters into another time. If Shakespeare has become so overused that some feel a need to make it different, the attempt should at least work. As I watched this particular production, which director Bernard Hopkins chose to set in the Edwardian era, for whatever reason, I felt strange­ ly out of sync. Listening to the Old English of Elizabethan times and watching people at a sea-side resort in the early part of the century had a sense of imbalance and incongruity. It also resulted in inconsistencies and inaccuracies (like the use of a telephone) that are discomfiting. As for enhancing the story, obviously the many people snoozing, didn’t think it had. y | The plot of the Merry Wives of —i' Windsor is simple, but fun. Sir John Falstaff, who was first a character in Henry IV, has become a penniless lecher in this story. He decides to woo Mistresses Page and Ford, the wives of two prosper­ ous townsmen. After the ladies discover he has sent them identical love letters, they are appalled and determined to get revenge. Falstaff finds himself at the mercy of the women as they pretend to encour­ age him in his lascivious pursuit, with the aid of Mistress Quickly, the town busybody. In the meantime three suitors vie for the hand of Ann Page, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Page. One is of her choosing, one her mother prefers, while the other is favoured by the father. Mistress Quickly again serves as go-between. In the final scene the entire community is called upon to share and witness the ultimate humilia­ tion of Falstaff, as designed by “the wives”. James Blendick as the corpulent, mercenary Falstaff, is wonderful, a truly likeable rogue. The “Wives” played by Roberta Maxwell (Ford) and Patricia Conolly (Page) are lovely, admirable women, with a great deal of pride and a good sense of fun. They show spirit and common sense in dealing with Falstaff. Colm Feore tends to overact as the jealous Frank Ford, who can not believe he will be the cuckolded husband, but has some funny, quite memorable moments. The rest of the cast all put in fine performances, including under­ study Karen K. Edissi, who re­ placed Susan Wright as Mistress Quickly for the evening’s perfor­ mance. The set design by Allan Stich- bury was simple, yet effective. With such an impressive group of actors, one can only wonder why the play was changed to a different era. It is dramatic license that neither improved or enhanced the play; actually detracted from an otherwise solid production. The Merry Wives of Windsor is at the Avon Theatre until Novem­ ber 11. The Huron Country Playhouse Young Players have been busy rehearsing since June 18. Young Player’s director Barbara Wheel- don has had more than enough to keep her busy with three children’s shows which will be ready to open in Playhouse II starting on July 4. “The Girl on the Mountain”, “Girls Can’t Pitch”, and “Rumple- stiltskin” are the three one-act musicals which will be running in repertory Tuesday to Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. July 4 to August 11. Young Players Anas­ tasia Kokolakis, Gary Koop, Sandy Lordy, Lordy Look who’s 40 THE RED HEADED COWBOY! July 7 25t& KAREN AND DAVE the Blytb Iw 523-9381 Weekend Specials FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS Open reception July 14 B. M. & G. Community Centre, Brussels 8:30-? FISH & CHIPS Michael and David Ian Matheson will be performing a variety of roles in these three enchanting shows. “Oopsie Daisy” Annette’s 19 July 9 DINNER FRIDAY&SATURDAY 5:00P.M.-8:00P.M. BUY ONE & GET ONE FOR 1/2 PRICE 1/2 PRICE SPECIALS APPLY TO EAT-IN OR TAKE OUT ORDERS ENTERTAINMENT RETURNS Join us Friday and Saturday night 9-1:00a.m. ROADHOUSE