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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-09-08, Page 19Ernest's proposal Algernon Moncrieff (Lorne Kennedy) posing as the colourfully, elusive Ernest wins the heart of the beautiful ingenue Cecily Cardew (Marion Day) in this scene from the Avon Theatre's production of Oscar Wilde's The importance of Being Earnest. Theatre review Avon's 'Earnest' lovely to look at NOTICE To the taxpayers of the Township of Morris. The second instalment of the 1993 property tax Is due - Wednesday, September 15, 1993. Nancy Michie Clerk - Treasurer Happy 40th Mom & Dad (Betty & Ivan) September 7 Love your family Laurie, Debbie & boys Julie & Steve 1879 INSURANCE COMPANY 1993 (69 WEST WAWANOSH MUTUAL , eighbour herping Neighbour „ N • YOUR LOCAL AGENTS Frank Foran, Lucknow528-3824 Lyons & Mulhern, Goderich 524-2664 Donald R. Simpson, Ripley 395-5362 Delmar Sproul, Auburn 529-7273 CI inton 482-3434 Chapman-Graham & Assoc. Insurance Brokers Inc. Owen Sound 376-1774 City Insurance Offices Limited Kincardine 396-9513 P.A. Roy Insurance Broker Inc. Clinton 482-9357 Banter, MacEwan, Feagan Insurance Brokers Limited, Goderich 524-8376 Kenneth MacLean, Paisley 368-7537 McMaster Siemon Insurance Brokers Inc. Mitchell 348-9150 John Nixon, Brussels 887-9417 Chapman Graham Lawrence Insurance Brokers Walkerton 881-0611 "INSURANCE FOR FARM, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND AUTO" IN TIGHTS TuE5DAYV ; 8 PARENTAL GUIDANCE "Blazing arrows! Non-stop laughs!" 10.1n Stoner. EN TEHLVNMENf TM.. ROBIN HOOD FRI. - THUR. SEPT. 10-16 FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 pm SUN. - THUR. 8 pm LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-255-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO By Bonnie Gropp When the curtain opens on the Avon Theatre's production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest you have an inkling of the quality you're about to see. The set designs by Gary Thomas Thorne, an affluent drawing room and a luscious English garden are the perfect backdrop for the incom- parable cast in front. Jack Worthing, a country gentle- man, portrayed with dextrous understatement by Cohn Feore has devised for himself a fictitious brother by the name of Ernest. In order to attribute his escapades while in town to his brother, Jack takes on the role of Ernest for him- self. Jack's friend Algernon discovers the double life at the same time he uncovers the fact that Jack is guardian to the beautiful, young Cecily, whom he keeps sequestered at his country estate. Lorne Kennedy plays Algernon,with relaxed abandon, while Marion Day is an endearing ingenue. A typically captivating Lucy Pea- cock portrays Algemon's cousin Gwendolyn Fairfax, the woman Jack has chosen to marry. Gwen- dolyn, who harbours a passion for the name Ernest, accepts his pro- posal, however her mother Lady Bracknell, an indomitable presence played convincingly by Stratford veteran Pat Galloway is less than pleased. Particularly when she finds that Jack was adopted after being discovered in a handbag at Victoria Station. "To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had han- dles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decen- cies of family life," she tells Jack. Realizing that to keep Gwen- dolyn's favour, Jack must kill off Ernest so that he may be christened Ernest himself, Jack heads home to the country estate to announce to Cecily the demise of his brother. Meanwhile Algernon has arrived at the country estate, introducing him- self as the wicked, allusive Ernest. He becomes immediately capti- vated by Cecily and proposes. She also accepts, having as well har- boured a passion for the name Ernest. When Jack arrives to announce Ernest's death, he is surprised instead to hear that his brother is having tea. The arrival of Gwendolyn and her mother add to the mayhem, which ends with the establishing of Jack's credibility into English soci- ety. The Importance of Being Earnest has little to do with sincerity as these characters challenge the ide- als of honesty and gentility. "If there is nothing romantic about a proposal one might be accepted," one character states. This dramatic irony, coupled with the stiff upper lip and values of British hierarchy, was the basis for much of the humour. Wilde managed to have fun with human failings, by covering shallowness and ambition with wit and humour. Had he not made his characters so charming, they would have been despicable. Though there are some spots that lagged, particularly in the second act, which does seem quite long, The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Artistic Director David William, is delightful to look at and fun to behold. Earnest closes Oct. 31. Buck& Doe for AMY WORKMAN & BILL FOTHERINGHAM FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 Seaforth Community Centre 8:00 to 1:00 Lunch Provided Age of majority $5.00/person By Bonnie Gropp It has been a busy season for Blyth Festival's Artistic Director Peter Smith. In addition to starring in the two person play Web at The Garage Theatre in Blyth, he spent one week in Japan with Festival founder James Roy as the Canadian representatives to the International Theatre Conference. Held at the 2,000 seat Aichi Cen- tre it attracted artists from all over the world who came and talked about their companies. "It was interesting to hear of their struggles to create work, living hand to month," said Mr. Smith. "The industry is experiencing the same problems we have here." It was the director of the Japanese production of playwright Anne Chislett's The Tomorrow Box which premiered in Blyth and went on to international success that sug- gested Mr. Smith and Mr. Roy (Ms Chislett's husband) be invited to participate in the conference. Mr. Smith said he spent two days in Furano with the troupe that per- formed in Blyth two seasons ago and spoke to them about the possi- bility of them returning in 1995. As well he saw productions of other works, including a children's show which he described as a "Japanese fairy tale" that he would like to see produced in Blyth as well. Mr. Smith had nothing but acco- lades for the Japanese people whom he described as a "gracious Loves the work Continued from page 18 the apprenticeship was soon corn pleted which allowed for him to ge his equity card, "So I could wort for real dollars," he smiled. It was meeting Laurel Paetz, whc worked at the Alberta Theatre Pro- jects last year and her husband Blyth Artistic Director Peter Smith that Mr. McCracken came to find himself working this season, his first, in Blyth, which he has found to be a very pleasing experience. Though he has no aspirations to direct, Mr. McCracken says at some point he would like to be involved with the inner office workings doing fundraising and promotional work. But not yet. "I like very much what I'm doing. There are certainly not enough financial rewards so you have to love the business or you wouldn't last." people, very respectful." On Sept. 5, just before the season ends, Mr. Smith left on a holiday to the west coast. While there he is combining business with pleasure appearing for five weeks in a pro- duction at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, The Collective Works of Billy the Kid. The Canadian play, written by Michael Ondaatje, was Mr. Smith's introduction to theatre several years ago. After attending Brock for one year, Mr. Smith says he moved west. A professor at Victoria Uni- versity, who knew Mr. Smith played guitar asked him to write music for a play about Billy the, Kid. "I didn't want to be a cowboy, but after reading the script I was hooked," says Mr. Smith. The story is Mr. Ondaatje's examination of the hero myth, a poem about cow- boys and people. "At the time I thought it was the best thing I've read. It's a beautiful work." He took on the role of Pat Garrett and has never looked back. This time he will be playing the eccentric John Chisholm. The pro- duction also includes many friends and colleagues from previous Blyth seasons including former Associate Artistic Director Bill Dow, who contacted Mr. Smith about the play. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1993. PAGE 19. E ntertainment Peter Smith goes west