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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-21, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989. Entertainment Mamas & Papas at Playhouse Atomic wit Bewildered PersephoneTownship Reeve Eldon Currie (Jerry Franken, centre) finds himself getting dressed in radiation clothing under the instruction of the Premier’s executive assistant T.J. Swimwell (PatriciaVanstone, left) while his bemused brother Orval (Garrison Chrisjohn) watches in a scene from “Perils of Persephone’’ which opened at the Blyth Festival Friday night. The play is a comedy about what happens when a truck, thought to be carrying nuclear waste, goes off the road in a rural township. Theatre review Blyth ‘Perils’ a comic delight BY BONNIE GROPP Never have government and beauracracy been so much fun! Dan Needles’ “The Perils of Perse­ phone’’, which opened in BJyth on Friday is a delightful comic play that had the capacity crowd enter­ tained throughout. With sardonic wit the playwright gave us the opportunity to laugh at the foibles of government and society. The setting takes place in June in the Currie family kitchen in Perse­ phone Township. Eldon Currie, the township Reeve is seeking fame and glory as the new County Warden. However, after nuclear waste is dumped on his farm and he butts heads with scheming government officials he gets a little more than he bargained for. The characters of the play are stereotypes who could have quite easily been overdone. But, under Douglas Beattie’s fine direction they came to life as only slightly exaggerated personalities. Jerry Franken as Eldon Currie the beleaguered, befuddled town­ ship politico gives an accurate portrayal of political naivete. A role that could have been a caricature, he adds depth to. On one hand he is strong and confident and a little vain, yet, when faced with bigger issues, Franken effectively makes the transition to an overwhelmed, and confused farmer, whose strength lies in his family and hometown loyalties. Diana Belshaw gives a solid performance as Currie’s wife, Marj. She is strong and capable, sensitive and caring; the epitome of the perfect wife. Garrison Chrisjohn, as Eldon’s brother Orval, has some of the best comic lines in the play. His sensible, uncomplicated outlook is touched with cynical humour, which added together, provides hilarious results. His delivery and timing are perfect. The fated politician, who is played by Greg Ellwand, also provides some of the lighter mo­ ments of “Perils’’. All the negative things you’ve heard about politi­ cians, you see in Ellwand’s Hank Hornspoon M.P.P. Patrician Vanstone, who receiv­ ed a Dora nomination for “Girls in the Gang’’, gives a suitable por­ trayal of the emanicpated T.J. Swimwell, Executive Assistant to the Premier. Ms. Vanstone seems to be comfortable playing the cold, classy type and in Perils she manages to take the edge off a character who could have been thoroughly detestable. K. Reed Needles as Hinkley, the junkie trucker and Ann Baggley as Wendy, the Currie’s daughter, each put in fine performances. Special commendation should go to Katherine Kaszas, the Festival’s Artistic Director, for a captivating opening night selection “Perils of Persephone”. It provides the audi­ ence with the chance to laugh at others and ourselves - frequently. Actually, the only thing that really bothered me about the play were two rather disparaging com­ ments made about the press. I couldn’t understand it! Perils of Persephone is being performed at the Blyth Festival right through until the first week of September. I highly recommend it. Huron Country Playhouse con­ tinues to deliver outstanding Sun­ day concerts this season, welcom­ ing the current edition of the legendary vocal group, The Mamas And The Papas. The Mamas And The Papas, led by its founder John Phillips, will take the main stage on Sunday, July 9 for two shows only at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The legendary group first exploded on the music scene in 1966 with the smash hit “California Dreamin”, quickly followed during the next year and a half by other chart successes such as “Monday, Monday”, “I Saw Her Again”, “Look Through My Window”, “Words Of Love”, “Creeque Al­ ley”, and “Twelve Thirty”, all songs written and arranged by John Phillips. The original Papas were John Phillips and. Canadian Denny Doherty. The original Mamas were Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot. John and new Mamas, Spanky McFarlane and Mackenzie Phillips, have been joined by Scott McKen­ zie. All the members of the new Mamas And The Papas have enjoyed much success in the world of entertainment. John’s daughter, Mackenzie grew up in The Mamas And The Papa’s rehearsal sessions, recording studios and on the con­ cert trail. At the age of 12, while performing with her school’s rock ’n’ roll band she was spotted by a casting director whose interest led to a starring role in “American Graffiti”. This was followed by a successful TV series, “One Day At A Time”, where she played Julie Cooper for five seasons. Mama number 2, Spanky McFar­ lane was responsible for forming the music group Spanky And Our Gang, who climbed the charts with a selection of hits including “Sun­ day Will Never Be The Same”, “Making Every Minute Count”. “Lazy Day” and “Like To Get To Know You”. Spanky, a good friend of original Mama Cass Elliot, began her musical career as part of the Chicago blues scene. Papas John Phillips and Scott McKenzie performed together in The Journeymen from 1961 to 1963. In 1976, Scott McKenzie released the hit single “San Fran­ cisco - Wear Flowers In Your Hair”. This song,, which was written by John Phillips and backed up by the Mamas And The Papas session band was an instant smash and catapulted Scott McKenzie to the forefront of the flower children. In February 1987 John was designated honorary chairman of the ‘Monterey Film Festival in recognition of his contributions to the film “Monterey Pop” and the Monterey Pop Festival. About The Mamas And Papas today, John has this to say - “It’s uncanny. The sound is so similar to the early days. I’m really enjoying singing with women again because there’s so much more you can do with the vocal arrangements. When the harmonies really start to work”, explains John, “we get a special tone like a fifth voice. We’ve nicknamed it ‘Harvey’. All I can tell you about the music is that Harvey is showing up a lot ihese days.” Tickets and information can be obtained by calling the Playhouse box office at 238-8451. 25t^ 'WeddMa PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA The Rhinestone Cowboy BILL & FRAN From Family & Friends THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523 9381 The Family invites you to Brussels for the Anniversary of ORVAL AND RUTH BAUER Friday, June 23,1989 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. BRUSSELS LIONS ELIMINATION DRAW OVER $5,000. IN CASH TO BE DRAWN WINNERS OF EARLY BIRD DRAWS June3-Dave&Lynda Williams June10-Max Demaray June 17 - Allen Bridge Saturday June 24th MEALSERVED 6-8 DANCE 9-1 AT B.M. & G. COMMUNITY CENTRE TICKETS $30.00 EACH Available from any Lions member