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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-07-24, Page 23Theatre review THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24,1991. PAGE 23. ‘Stone Angel ’ very long, but very good Antagonists turn conspirators Lottie (Jacqueline Blais), left, and Hagar (Barb Chilcott) conspire to separate their children in this scene from James Nichol's dramatization of Margaret Laurence's The Stone Angel, which opened at Blyth Festival Thursday, July 18. BY BONNIE GROPP Fine acting, excellent production and a solid story line earned Mar­ garet Laurence's The Slone Angel a standing ovation at its Blyth Festi­ val opening, Thursday. I couldn't help wondering, though, if perhaps some of those standing were just simply glad of the opportunity to be on their feet. James Nichol's dramatization of this novel, is lengthy, a good three hours, and despite its many merits, towards the end, restlessness is increasing while interest is dwin­ dling. The Slone Angel is the story of Hagar Currie Shipley, once "Jason Currie's raven haired, dark eyed daughter", now an ailing, elderly woman, as told through her eyes. The stone angel, she explains early in the play, was the tomb­ stone, placed by her father on her mother's grave. It also, perhaps, best illustrates the complex Hagar. A not altogether likable character, there where times when she appears to have a heart of stone and others when she has the heart of an angel. We see her as the adored daugh­ ter of the loving, but harsh Jason, who spoils her when she's good, but shows no mercy when she defies him. He raises her to believe she is belter than most and the equal of all the rest. She is a female with backbone, pride and stubborn will. We see her as the wife of Bram Shipley, a man her father describes as "lazy as a pet pig", a man 15 years older than her, with two chil­ dren from a previous marriage. Defying her father, who disowns her, her infatuation leads her to marriage. "Never a bell rang out when I was wed," she says, voicing a beginning disillusionment. When she discovers what is expected of her as a wife and finds, over lime, that she can not mold Bram into the husband she wants, further disenchantment weighs on the fragile marriage. Bram, faced with the knowledge that he will never meet Hagar's expectations and that he shames her, makes his life's work drinking. Hagar, after years of trying to make it work takes their son John and leaves. John is Hagar's baby and she suf­ focates him with her protection and devotion. As a young man he returns to live with his father, where after drought and bad luck, he follows his father further along the road to ruin. When Bram dies, Arlene, the daughter of Hagar's childhood adversary, Lottie "no name" Dreisler, helps John pick up the pieces. He stops drinking and plans for the future. Hagar however, does not want them to make the same mistake she and Bram made. When she discovers how serious the young lovers are, she and Lottie conspire to separate them. Desper­ ate, John begins drinking again and he recklessly gets behind the wheel of a car. Arlene goes with him and they are killed. Marvin, Hagar's oldest son, has spent his entire life trying to please his mother and never quite accom­ plishes it. Now, in her later years he and his wife Doris have moved in to take care of Hagar. Unfortu­ nately he finds himself caught between them as Doris fights to have Hagar placed in a rest home and Hagar fights to stay home. When she becomes ill, she is taken to the hospital and it is there that she takes us wandering back through time. The Stone Angel can be a little bewildering at times, as the story­ line hops back and forth, from past to present. As well, as is the case when producing large productions at a small theatre, actors have to play several parts. In this particular one there are 27 characters por­ trayed by nine actors. This is not a fault, this is a necessity, but one that, should someone not be paying careful attention, will leave them lost for a lime. Several people arrived fairly late into the first act and I can't imagine they ever caught up. The cast is wonderful, never missing a beat between personas. Allan Williams plays the proud Scottish patriarch with flair. Jerry Franken as Marvin, Elliott Smith, as John and Thomas Hauff as Bram, down-play their portrayals of these complex, interesting char­ acters to an impressive result. Franken and Smith also play Hagar's brothers Matt and Dan. Jacqueline Blais as Doris, Lottie, Mrs. McVittie and Mrs. Reilly puts in notable performances as does Bruce McFee, who plays Telford Simmons, Mr. Troy, Nursing Home Director, Doctor, Murray F.Lees, Tom Jardine, Henry Pearl, Charlie Bean and the New Store Owner. Quyen Hua as Sandra Wong, Hagar's hospital roommate is a charming delight, though her part does seem incongruous with the rest of the play. Allegra Fulton is chamelion-like transforming from the young, open- hearted, free-spirited Arlene, to the conscientious nurse, to staid Char­ lotte Tappen, to amorous Lottie's mother, and finally, to chatty old Elva Jardine. However, without question the star of the show is Barbara Chilcott as Hagar. This is the type of role that theatre actresses long for. Hagar is a strong woman with an intricate personality and Ms Chilcott handles the diversity of the character with ease. It is a demand­ ing role that requires her to make i Z3////? TJillag e Jloraf Graft/s OPEN Monday-Saturday 12-6 p.m. SPECIAL WEDDING & ANNIVERSARY ARRANGEMENTS 523-9168 HWY. #4 LONDESBORO Right next door to Radford's Farm Equipment the transition from young child, to blushing bride, then finally to a proud woman facing the degrada­ tion of old age, all without benefit of makeup or costume change, rely­ ing solely on the stength of the actress's talent to make each por­ trayal real. For some The Stone Angel may be far too long to endure, detracting from what is otherwise an excellent piece of theatrical work. Others may be offended by the sexual ref­ erences and explicit, though very Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary Dave and Alice Marks Love from family and friends THINK SMALL! CLASSIFBD ADS WORK! HOWIOBEA LOCAL HERO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX MAN Local Heroes save their charitable tax receipts when they give money and take advantage of the credit for charitable giving on their tax form. You can use the money you save to be an even more generous Local Hero. A national program to encourage giving and volunteering. A New Spirit of Giving tastefully done, depiction. (I over­ heard one woman saying to her companion, "This can't be Blyth!") A few may even find it a little too artsy for their particular tastes. But like it or not there is no denying its attributes. There is no denying the quality of the production, the writ­ ing and the performances. It is an impressive piece of theatre, like it or not. Therefore, while the stand­ ing ovation at the end may be a welcome relief, it also just so hap­ pens to be well-deserved. Happy 19th Charles (Chuck) Love Mom, Dad, Darlene & Bill & friends the Blyth Iw THURSDAY NIGHT IS WING NIGHT Wings 30e each MINIMUM ORDER 10 a variety of sauces available SORRY NO TAKE-OUTS Mon., Tues., Wed., Frl. & Sat. 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT ONLY CHICKEN WINGS & CHIPS $4.95 EAT IN OR TAKE OUT THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES PIZZA BUY ONE & GET A 2ND FOR 1/2 PRICE 5P.M. - MIDNIGHT EAT IN OR TAKE OUT ENTERTAINMENT July 26-27 The Clamps 523-9381 L.L.B.O.