HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-09-05, Page 29THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1990. PAGE 27.
E nt er t a inment
Theatre review
Casting errors mar play
BY BONNIE GROPP
I had eagerly anticipated the
return of Dan Needles’ comedy
“Perils of Persephone” which pre
miered at the Blyth Festival in June
of last year and began its second
run last Wednesday evening. How
ever, small problems, most not
ably, casting mistakes, broke the
spell that had been woven on me by
the predecessor.
The opening night was timely
with Ontario in the midst of a
provincial election campaign. The
story centres around the Currie
Family as they come head-to-head
with government bureaucrats when
an apparent nuclear waste spill
occurs on the Currie farm. Eldon
Currie, the man who would be
country warden, is presently town
ship reeve and finds himself caught
between his conscience and his
desire for political gain. His broth
er Orval is struggling to keep the
family farm viable, while Eldon
chases this dream, fighting
drought and high prices. Eldon’s
wife Marj is the catalyst between,
understanding Orval’s crisis and
^her husband’s idealism.
After a truck carrying what is
apparently nuclear waste lands in
the swamp, the Currie’s find their
simple life in upheavel, as govern
ment officials set up headquarters
in their kitchen, the press camp out
in their yard, and a ‘tripping’
trucker ambels aimlessly through
their home, all the while, making
eyes at the Currie’s daughter
Wendy.
The play is funny. There is
nothing people like to laugh at
more than government; after all
they make it easy for us. But,
unfortunately the production falls
short of last year’s. Through no
fault of the actors, who are talented
performers, the characterizations
simply don’t work as well with this
cast. Dennis Fitzgerald, whom I
loved in “Local Talent”, plays the
role of Eldon. Despite admirable
attempts, no amount of makeup is
going to make the youthful, attrac
tive Fitzgerald age the 20 years or
so necessary to make him a
believable Eldon. The matronly
Sharon Dyer is a commendable
Marj, but she and Fitzgerald are
mismatched as husband and wife.
Jerry Franken, who last year
was marvellous as Eldon assumed
the role of Orval in this production.
While the talented Franken puts in
a solid performance it seems to lack
sparkle.
j r— The biggest disappointments for
Tne were the government hench
man, which is rather fitting, when
you think of it, isn’t it? The role of
the bumbling minister of the
environment Henry Hornspoon is a
wonderful comedic character but
Bruce Parkhouse, who portrays
him, does not seem to have the
presence to command attention.
Chin up
Fran Gebhard as T.J. Swimwell gets the Hon. Henry
Hornspoon played by Bruce Parkhouse, ready to check out the
nuclear spill in this scene from “Perils of Persephone” which
began its second run in Blyth last Wednesday.
There is nothing really wrong with
his portrayal, it just wasn’t notable
either.
Last year, when the willowy
blonde, Patrick Vanstone, playing
T.J. Swimwell the Premier’s Exe
cutive assistant said, “I don’t eat. <
live on coffee and cigarettes,” ii
was sardonically witty, and said a
great deal about the character. This
year spoken by the full-figured
Fran Gebhard, it simply didn’t
work.
The roles of Wendy and the
misguided truck driver Francis
Hinckley were both done well.
Shawna Lori Burnett, who has had
a successful first season here this
year was Wendy and Alan Nash-
nian played Hinckley.
Comparisons aren’t fair perhaps,
but I think even without having
seen the previous year’s production
I would have questioned some of
the casting decisions. However, the
end result -s still an entertaining
play with a lot of laughs in it. The
cast L /e proven themselves many
times to be talented performeis
and most put what they can into
their characters. I given them their
due; they had a tough act to follow.
Join in the celebration with
SHIRLEY AND GEORGE
WHEELER
on their
35t& 'Wedding
Everyone Welcome
September 15,1990
Brussels Legion
9:00p.m.-1:00a.m.
Best Wishes Only Please
The family of
HARRY AND LUELLA
REGELE
would like to invite their
friends, relatives and
neighbours to an
to celebrate their
40TH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY
to be held at
Brodhagen Hall on
Sunday, Setember 9,1990
from 1-5 p.m.
A little late, but
not forgotten
[Aug. 30]
Love Mom, Dad,
Christine & Jennifer
Jr. Farmers
seek
leadership
nominations
Leadership and success describe
agriculture in Huron County. Be
hind the leadership and success are
the people. The Huron County
Junior Farmers will be presenting
Rural Leadership Awards to people
for their outstanding leadership
and contributions to agriculture
and the rural community in Huron
County.
The Rural Leadership Awards
will be presented at the Junior
Farmers’ Agri-Food Week Dinner
‘Huron County: An Agricultural
Leader TV’ on Monday, October 1,
at 7 p.m. in the Clinton Legion.
Guest Speaker for the evening is
Brigid Pyke, O.F.A. President.
The Huron County Junior Farm
ers will welcome nominations from
individuals or organizations for the
Rural Leadership Awards until
Wednesday, September 19, 1990.
Nomination forms can be obtained
by contacting the Clinton O.M.A.F.
or Robert Hunking, RR 1, Auburn,
N0M 1E0, 523-4316. There are
many deserving people in Huron
County. Nominate a worthy reci
pient.
MAKE YOUR
GRANDPARENTS
PROUD.
J y- —L
Just call or visit us
today to send the
FTD® Grandparents’
Day Bouquet.
Grandparents' Day is
Sunday, September 9
Country
Garden
Flowers
887-6900 or 887-6351
BRUSSELS
Available
the
Blyth Iw
523-9381
WEEKEND
SPECIALS
_ EAT IN OR TAKEOUT-
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PIZZA
THURS.,FRI.&SAT.
5:00P.M.-MIDNIGHT
BUY ONE &
.E FOR
illlL..
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■eiTbiw
RIBS & KRAUT
DINNER
FRIDAY&SATURDAY
5:00P.M.-8:00P.M.
BUY0NE&
GETONEFOR
1/2 PRICE
ENTERTAINMENT
THIS WEEKEND
Sat. matinee3-5p.m.&
Fri. & Sat. night9- 1a.m.
DOUG McNALL