HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-12-13, Page 27Tiny musicians
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1989. PAGE 27.
Theatre review
Second City leaves ’em laughing
Young violin students of all sizes took part in the Christmas
concertofTheHuronStringsatMemorial Hall in Blyth Sunday.
Using theSuzuki method, ElayneRas instructor had thedozens
of youngsters performing for parents and friends.
60 young violinists
perform on Blyth stage
Last Sunday afternoon in Mem
orial Hall, 60 violin students from
the Huron String School, Goderich,
who ranged from three to 15 years
of age, gave a 90-minute Christ
mas concert hosted by the Festival
theatre. It is an annual Huron event
staged each year in different
locations.
The talented director was Elayne
Ras and accompanist was Jennifer
Chan both of Goderich.
A Christmas atmosphere pre
vailed. Large lacy snow flakes on
the stage’s back drop which was
the work of the enthusiastic sup
port group of the String School, the
bright colours of the girl perform
ers’ attire, and the program’s
generous number of Christmas
carols and songs contributed great
ly to it.
It was a wonderful sight to
behold 60 young and very, very
young people bowing their violins
in unison as well as in group
numbers with all eyes riveted on
their director. The theatre had
loaned their risers for this occasion
which made possible a clear view
for all in the audience. In fact, one
of the most fascinating features for
people was noticing the slight arch
of the wrist and the graceful bow
holds of each performer. Perhaps
one can attribute this mastered
technique to the absence of scrap
ing sounds, even from the wee
ones’ violins.
A Cello number was played by
Elayne Ras and Martha Jasper and
in the effective closing number, a
group of Christmas carols, two
young gentlemen played the violin,
one, the viola, and Elayne, the
cello.
Instructor Elayne Ras uses the
popular Suzuki method which par
ents affirm brings rapid and lasting
results. Elayne has now ample
studio facilities in her home for her
ever expanding classes.
Mr. and Mrs. David Onn of RR 3,
Blyth are delighted with the rapid
progress made by their three
daughters. They were among those
receiving at the concert graduating
certificates. Zoe and Cap have
completed successfully the most
advanced Study - Book III.
Alma McCallum of Blyth, who
attended the concert, was amazed
at the mature handling of the violin
by her four-year old granddaugh
ter, Laura Smith, of Goderich.
Martha Jasper, a member of the
String School’s support group,
when she presented gifts to teacher
Elayne Ras, gave high praise for
her excellent teaching. “Wow, you
have done it again!’’ was how she
referred to Elayne’s most recent
school concert.
The support group did it again,
too, with serving a delicious,
nutritious buffet downstairs to
their families and friends.
BY BONNIE GROPP
Having been a long-time fan of
the familiar faces and characteriza
tions of the popular television
program SCTV (Second City Tele
vision), I was somewhat curious to
see if the Second City National
Touring Company which performed
in Blyth on Saturday, would uphold
the reputation of the troupe for
imaginative improvisation and wit
ty satirical comedy. They did not
disappoint.
For two and a half hours the six
actors - Moira Dunphy, Terry Hart,
David Healey, Sarah Anne Levy,
Steve Morel and Jenny Parsons -
had the capacity crowd at Blyth
rolling in the aisles.
The first part of their program
consisted of skits that are some of
the more popular ones of The
Second City. They spoofed every
thing from James Bond to current
issues like the high cost of real
estate, which was set to the score of
Les Mis, and to political issues like
Bourassa, who could not heed a
sign from God because it wasn’t in
French and Free Trade, which was
explained as a school project.
Following these absolutely hilar
ious sketches, the troupe welcomed
audience participation for their
improvisational part. They took the
Nutcracker
Continued from page 26
original with the mechanical Nut
cracker doll capturing Clara’s af
fections as he protects her from the
horrifying King of the Rats.
During the ferocious battle the
brave Nutcracker is killed. Drossel-
meyer intervenes and saves the day
by transforming the Nutcracker
into a very much alive prince
charming. The prince then escorts
little Clara to the Kingdom of the
Sugarplum Fairy ... or does he?
In Toussaint’s version the story
is updated for today’s children and
Clara and the prince visit a fantasy
futuristic world where everything
and everyone is automatized!
The celebration comes to an end
with everyone participating in a
glorious finale watlz.
suggestions offered from the floor
and transformed them on stage into
skits. For the most part these fell a
little flat but that is the risk in
improvisation. You never know
when a scene will work, but when it
happens it’s magic and that’s
where Second City’s best sketches
originated over the years.
Second City originated in the late
50’s in Chicago and over the years
has produced some of the best
comedians today. The alumni in
cludes: John Candy, Dave Thomas,
Catherine O’Hara and Andrea
Martin. There are presently com
panies in 17 cities including dinner
theatres in London and Toronto.
There may have been some in
the audience who were a little
offended at the riske, ribald hum
our, but for the most part I believe
that people who went to see the
show were familiar with the type of
humour Second City is famous for.
Usually, sitting in those seats in
Blyth Memorial Hall, that length of
show would be unbearable but I
could have sat through more. I
haven’t had that milch fun laugh
ing at myself, my country, and
people in general in a long time.
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