HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-21, Page 27Reward
Brian and Neil McGavin receive a framedcopyof thisseason’sBlyth Festival poster from Carol Irwin,
Festival president during the Festival’s opening night celebration Friday. McGavin Farm Supply
Ltd. sponsored the full-colour poster which depicts early farm equipment.
Theatre review
Bedford breathes life into role
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989. PAGE 27.
Stratford season ’s sales
exceed $7 million mark
BY BONNIE GROPP
Anyone who hasn’t heard the
controversy surrounding Shakes
peare’s Merchant of Venice, which
is currently playing at Stratford
Festival until October 28, has
obviously been hibernating.
Much has been said about the
supposed racist and anti-Semitic
content of this tragi-comedy, yet
director Michael Langham has
successfully underplayed this dark
side, and brought the focus to
wards the humour.
Also, his emphasis lies more on
what this story is and always has
been about - love, mercy, and
revenge.
Brian Bedford as Shylock, the
Jewish moneylender, who de
mands a pound of flesh from the
merchant Antonio in payment for a
forfeiture, is electrifying. He dis
plays passion and wit. He gives us
a Shylock who inspires hatred from
us, yet sympathy as well. The
infamous quotation we struggled,
painstakingly to memorize in
school, Bedford breathes life into.
When he exclaims, “If you prick
us, do we not bleed? If you wrong
us shall we not revenge?”, we feel
the pain he has endured due to
society’s ignorance.
When he offers only to seek what he appears in few scenes. But in
a Christian would were he so those few he is indeed a true
Playhouse presents
Christie melodrama
Rehearsals for Agatha Christie’s
“Witness For The Prosecution’’
are well under way at The Huron
Country Playhouse in Grand Bend.
Director, Tony Lloyd and a cast
of 13 began rehearsal for this
suspense filled murder mystery
June 12.
When it was first produced in
London England in 1953, “Witness
For The Prosecution’’ contained a
cast of 30 characters. For the
Huron Country Playhouse produc
tion, the cast has been reduced by
doubling certain parts and by
enlisting help from audience mem
bers to fill the court-room jury box.
A total of 253 audience volunteers
will be needed over the three week
run of the play.
Ian Deakin will play the role of a
rather shiftless but jaunty young
man accused of murdering an
elderly spinster who had willed him
her fortune. Vern Chapman will be
wronged we begin to understand
the basis of his revenge. His
daughter, Jessica, has run off with
a Christian. The merchant, Anton
io, has never tried to disguise his
distaste for the Jew.
Through the character of Shy
lock, Langham and Bedford have
effectively shown together that this
is a play not of racism as much as of
religious hypocrisy. It existed in
Shakespeare’s time and still exists
today. It is unfortunate, therefore,
that Langham felt it necessary to
delete passages that were thought
too controversial.
However, and again to his credit,
Langham chose to concentrate on
the love story that develops. Ger
aint Wyn Davies’ Bassanio and
Seana McKenna’s Portia as the
besotted couple are delightful.
McKenna plays Portia as a multi
faceted gem, sensitive and intelli
gent yet possessing a lively wit and
love of fun. Whyn Davies was a
charming Bessanio, romantic and
passionate.
The inimitable Nicholas Pennell
is a perfect Antonio. While his
portrayal was understated, he gave
tremendous strength to what is
actually a fairly minor character.
Little of the comic lines are his and
seen as his condescending attorney
who counts on obtaining an acquit
tal by means of an alibi to be
provided by the accused man’s
wife. Norah Kennedy will have the
play’s most colourful role as his
wife of the man on trial. Unexpect
edly, she provides an explosive
surprise by coldly destroying her
husband’s alibi and even giving
testimony that cannot fail to hang
him. This is only the first of many
surprises in the play. Unexpected
twists pyram’d one upon another
until the sensational three-ply cli
max that nobody can possibly
foresee.
“Witness For The Prosecution”
has been considered the most
ingenious melodrama devised by
Agatha Christie.
It previews at Huron Country
Playhouse on Tuesday, June 27 and
opens the Playhouse’ 18th summer
season on Wednesday, June 28.
gentleman merchant.
The cast involved in the Mer
chant of Venice is large and there
are still several players I could
remark upon. I will simply state,
that I can think of little about the
production that didn’t impress me.
My suggestion is to try to forget
controversy and see the Merchant
of Venice for what it is; a great
piece of literature, performed by a
great company.
(?awtcMtvt
Friday, June 23
Stay & 'Da-e
for
Lori Millian &
Keith Hallam
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
Auburn D.J. Lunch Provided
Call 526-7742
MILVERTON LEGION BAND
The Band celebrated its 60th Anniversary last year having been formed at a meeting which took place on
January 16,1928. The Original Band was called the “Red Seal’’ Bandas it was sponsored by The Honderich
Furniture Company whose main product was Cedar Chests carrying the trade name “Red Seal”. Around
1940 a Boysand Girls Band was formed as the ‘ ‘ Red Seal’ ’ band ceased to exist as many members went off to
join the Armed Forces. AfterthewarsomeofthemembersreturnedtotheBandand in 1957 became affiliated
with Br. 565 of the Milverton Legion. Each year the Band participates in many paradesand Legion Services
and during the winter play at Skating Parties. A one hour concert by the Band will be held between 6:00 - 7:00
p.m. during Fun Fest weekend at the Ball Park or in event of rain will be moved to the arena.
Back Row: (left to right) Jim Smart, Aloert Butler, Harry Adams, Eldon Attridge, Ron Kipfer, Robert
McEwen, David Adams, Reg Kelterborn, Gordon Miller.
Front Row: (left to right) Bruce Spencer, Owen Geiger, Heather Waddell, Roy McEwen, Clarence
Hasenpflug, Jack Bundscho, Inez Clelland, Fred Egerdee, Lyle Spencer.
Gary Thomas, General Manager
of the Stratford Festival has an
nounced that, for the second sea
son in a row, Box Office receipts
have exceeded $7 million in sales,
following opening week.
“This means that the Stratford
Festival has already surpassed
57% of the total budgeted $12.2
million Box Office receipts for the
1989 season”, Mr. Thomas said.
“In addition, increased demand for
tickets, in response to the numer
ous favourable opening week re
views, has been extremely strong.
The indicators are that the Festival
is once again on the path to another
! LYCEUM WE A W E
' [ Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information
MURDER!
The blind guy couldn’t see it. The deaf guy couldn’t hear
Now they’re both wanted for it.
1 I a a a a
Gene Richard
...... ,.,0.
hear
NOfflL A ADULT fl ACCOMPAMIMEMT
very successful season and ticket
buyers should act now while there
is still good seat availability.”
& *Do&
for
Larry Appleby and
Deb Clark
FRIDAY,JUNE23/89
inWingham
Call 523-9207
Playing from Friday to
Thursday, June 23 to 29
Showtimes: Friday and
Saturday at 7and 9 p.m.
Sunday to Thursday at 8p.m.
each evening
a a
a a a a a a a