HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-11-20, Page 23Theatre review
Wingfield’s Folly,
Beattie’s triumph
BY BONNIE GROPP
A well-deserved standing ovation
was given Rod Beattie following
his one-person performance as
Walt Wingfield, and company, in
the third installment of Dan
Needle’s popular trilogy Wingfield's
Folly, in Blyth on Saturday night.
Anyone who has seen Mr. Beat-
tie in the Wingfield plays can't
help but be impressed with the
depth of his talent, as he adroitly
switches roles, changing voice and
mannerism to make each a charac
ter as real and as individual as the
next.
There are 10 characters in Wing
field's Folly including Walt's love
interest Maggie, a role Mr. Beattie
carries off with panache.
For eight years Mr. Beattie has
been a member of the Stratford
Festival, appearing in Henry V and
Midsummer Night’s Dream. The
Wingfield plays have brought him
acting awards, rave reviews and
sold-out houses in Toronto, Lon
don, Stratford, Victoria, Vancou
ver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Thunder
Bay, Peterborough, Kingston,
Ottawa and Fredericton, in addition
to many smaller communities in
Canada.
The Wingfield story began when
writer Dan Needles, who was editor
of a local newspaper in Shelburne
wrote a column, in the form of let
ters, under the pen name of Walt
Wingfield. They won the Ontario
Weekly Newspaper Association's
Best Column Award in 1976 and
spawned the first Wingfield play,
Letter From Wingfield Farm in
1984. This was followed in 1987
by Wingfield's Progress and in
February 1990 by Wingfield's
Folly.
This third installment completes
Shirley Valentine finds
hersel f at The Grand
Willy Russell's award-winning
play, Shirley Valentine begins
previewing at The Grand Theatre
on November 26.
Opening November 29, this one-
woman show stars Susan Wright as
Shirley Valentine, and is directed
by Richard Monette, with sets and
costumes designed by Debra
Hanson, and lighting designed by
Louise Guinand.
Shirley Valentine (Susan Wright)
is a modern-day Liverpudlian
home-maker. A rebellious,
carefree teenager, she met and fell
in love with Joe Bradshaw not so
many years ago. But now Shirley
Bradshaw is an unhappy, frustrated
housewife. All but ignored and
taken for granted by her husband
and children, Shirley has been
Most people think
there’s only one way
to help the
developing world.
We have 26.
the saga of gentleman farmer Walt,
who left the excitement of a Bay
Street brokerage firm two years
earlier to embark on a simpler life
in rural Persephone Township.
Simpler, it may be, but Walt soon
discovers that there is something
missing in his life as a farmer —
profit. "Farming is like standing in
the middle of a field tearing up $20
bills," he explains. "It's the only
business where you buy retail and
sell wholesale."
Before making a decision to sell
and move back to Bay St. Walt pin
points what he thinks is the prob
lem and, along with his neighbours,
Fred (Maggie's brother), Don,
Dave, Willie, and the Squire, he
sets into action a plan that he thinks
will see them through.
Walt has decided that the first
law of farming, should be don't
spend money, so he and his friends
establish a barter system that even
tually goes haywire, leaving Walt
with the decision that he is not cut
out for this life.
However, in the end, a series of
events come about that help him
change his mind.
The play is directed by Mr. Beat
tie's brother Douglas, an indepen
dent producer and director. His
association with Dan Needles goes
back to childhood summers spent
on the farm. In addition to heading
the Wingfield team, he served as
Artistic Director at the Red Bam
Theatre and directed the premiere
of Perils of Persephone by Dan
Needles in Blyth in 1989.
One-person shows are not my
favourite, but watching Rod Beattie
in this production is like watching
an entire cast of characters. This is
a one-person show that is a must
see.
WAIVTAD5
ALL THE TIME!
PARK THEATRE
FREE
MATINEE
SAT. NOV. 23
BLYTH COMMUNITY CENTRE
6:30 P.M. SOCIAL HOUR
7:30 P.M. ROAST BEEF
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DANCING 9-1 TO
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FOR INFORMATION CALL
STEVE HOWSON 523-9704
Plan your
join the BLYTH LIONS CLUB
at the
reduced to conversing with
inanimate objects, including the
kitchen wall.
Shirley's friend Jane offers her
the chance of a lifetime. Does
Shirley dare take it? Is it too late?
Can she ever find Shirley Valentine
again?
Shirley Valentine is being
produced in association with the
Stratford Festival where it will be
presented during the 1992 season.
November 26, 27 28 at 8:00 p.m.;
November 29 at 8:00 p.m and
December 21, Monday to Friday at
8:00 p.m. Saturdays at 2:00 p.m
and 8:00 p.m.
LONDESBORO LIONS
EUCHRE
Friday, November 22
8 p.m. sharp
LONDESBORO HALL
Nutcracker
Trince
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1991. PAGE 23.
E ntertainment
Famous People Players
return to Stratford
The Stratford Area Association
for Community Living proudly pre
sents the Famous People Players,
the world renowned black-light the
atre troupe, for two performances
only, at Stratford's Avon Theatre
on November 23, 1991 at 2 p.m.
and 8 p.m.
The award winning performers
use a skillful combination of black
light theatre with the impressive
wizardry of life-size images. The
Famous People Players have a
well-earned reputation for delight
ing both adults and children with
their unique and magical entertain
ment.
In their sixteen years together,
the Famous People Players have
captured the attention and imagina
tion of audiences, critics and top
personalities. Liberace engaged
them as the opening act for his Las
Vegas shows; Anne Murray donat
ed proceeds of the Grammy
winning hit single; Paul Newman
not only contributed his time to
promote the company and their per
formances, but donated profits
from the sales of Newman Own
Happy 13th
Birthday
Kathleen
November 20
Love Mom, Dad
& Joe
Foods.
The Stratford Area Association
for Community Living supports
over 120 people with developmen
tal disabilities to become contribut
ing and valued members of the
community.
Tickets are $22 for Adults, $11
for children (12 and under) - GST
included and are available al “The
Sampler” Festival Square in Strat
ford and the Stratford Mall or by
calling 273-1000.
CHRISTMAS PARTY NOW!
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14/91
TICKETS $30.00 PER COUPLE
- RESERVATIONS TO BE MADE BY DECEMBER 1
Sponsored By:
v Goderich Recreation Dept.
SHOWTIME: IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARADE
SANTA WILL BE HERE DURING AND AFTER THE SHOW
HANDING OUT CANDY. LIMITED SEATING.
DEMI MOORE JEFF DANIELS
There’s Magic In The Air
FRI.-THURS.
NOV. 22-28
FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 PM
SUN.-THURS. 8 PM
L0N6 DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO
Blyth IW
523-9381
THURSDAY NIGHT IS
WING NIGHT
5 P.M. ■ MIDNIGHT
WINGS 35c EACH
MINIMUM ORDER 10
A variety of sauces available
Wings available for take out at
regular price of 50e each.
CHICKEN WINGS & CHIPS
$5.45
AVAILABLE MON., TUE. & WED.
5:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M.
THURS., FRI. & SAT.
5:00 P.M. • MIDNIGHT
THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES
PIZZA
5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT
EAT IN OR TAKE OUT
Tickets from any Lion member
1-800-661-CODE for
more information.
Self-sufficiency through literacy
in the developing world.
Old dyme.
Country ‘Breakfast
Sunday, November 24
9 a.m. -1 p.m.
LONDESBORO HALL
ADULTS $4.50
UNDER 12 $3.00