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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-05-11, Page 31E ntertainment L........... ' Theatre review Theatre review THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1994. PAGE 31. Music slows down play Reviewer can’t By Bonnie Gropp Some fine acting and an interest­ ing story were marred by a less than memorable score and an over wait for the end By Keith Roulston A confession, first of all: I have never before written a review of a play which I've left at intermission. In fact, I can't ever recall leaving a play at intermission before. It wasn't all the fault of the pro­ duction of Wall & Roy, a produc­ tion of the new N.X.T. theatre group at the McManus Theatre of the Grand Theatre. But the theatre became very hot and, as the first act dragged on to one hour and 20 min­ utes, my companion couldn't bear the thought of how long the second act might be. To tell the truth, nei­ ther could I. I wanted to like this production. After all, if it's exciting to witness the birth of a new play, how much more so to be there at the birth of a whole new theatre, especially in these tough times. N.X.T. is a prod­ uct of those times, launched with no government aid, backed by a group of supporters who will recover their investments from the proceeds of the shows. After those investors have been rewarded for their faith, the artists, a group of London actors, designers and tech­ nicians, will share the profits. Things look promising as you enter the theatre, the downstairs studio theatre at The Grand. The set looks thoroughly professional. The lighting is adequate, if not spectac­ ular. The problems start with the script by Michael McKinlay, who also directs this production. First performed at Theatre Network in Edmonton in 1985, Walt & Roy won the 1984 Alberta Culture Play- writing Award. The play tells of the peculiar relationship between the creative Walt Disney and his more stolid, business-like brother Roy. Set in 1936 on the eve of Walt's first great full-length animated feature, Snow White, the play poses an interesting question about the marriage of cre­ ativity to the practical nature that makes it possible for the artists to carry out jheir dreams. The problem is it takes about an hour of the first act before we begin to touch on this question at all. Until then Walt and Roy act more like a couple of 12-year-olds in arrested development. It seems (perhaps the second act would have spelled it out better but shouldn't an 80-minute first act have gotten into it a bit more?) that Walt is having a crisis of uncertainty about his work. He's been drinking and there's a gun on his desk. In his notes, playwright McKin­ lay says his studies of Wall Disney led him to discover a man much different than the smiling, self- assured man who introduced The Wonderful World of Disney on tele­ vision. This Disney was stricken by self-doubt, recrimination, fear and anxiety. Fine. It wouldn't be worth doing the play if we didn't see a different side of the man. But with a face and character so familiar to the audience, isn't it important to at least touch base with the known Disney before departing to parts unknown? Phil Bulani's Walt, isn't just insecure, he's childish. There's nothing to like about him. There's no sign of the genius, the strength that obviously drove him to create an empire. The pencil mustache and blackened hair aren't enough to recall the Disney we were familiar with. Tony Martin, as the less-known Roy, fares better. There are times when you can sympathize with him having to deal with the erratic and insecure artist. Too often however, like Mr. Bulani, he descends into hysterics and shouting. Eighty min­ utes of this, and waiting for the play to really kick into gear, proved too much. Here's hoping the production improves between opening night and the end of the run on May 28. There has always been a dream of a second voice in theatre in London besides the mighty Grand. N.X.T. theatre could be it, if it can find stronger material and stronger per­ formances. Festival’s J. Amos leads workshops Continued from page 30 in a tour of the village at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and will be approaching businesses and homes to discuss the theatre. The students will be in groups of six, with a supervisor, and will be clearly identified with badges. They will be attending work­ shops conducted by Janet Amos, artistic director of the festival as well as other members of the administration. Ms Johnston says most of the activities will take place at The Garage and the community is invit­ ed to come and watch the proceed­ ings. The 'Beyond the Boards' program was designed by the head of the drama department at Goderich Dis­ trict Collegiate Institute, Philip McMillan. He will be assisted by six OAC students as well as two teachers in conducting the two day program. abundance of artistic styles in the Tapestry Music Theatre's, Colours in the Storm, at Blyth Memorial Hall Sunday night. The story of the life of Canadian painter Tom Thomson is one coloured with mystery and passion and should need few embellish­ ments to make it an entertaining tale. Colours begins in 1912 when Thomson first discovers the beauty of Algonquin Park. It travels through five consecutive summers which he spent capturing the park's natural beauty with his unique oil paintings. It touches on his associa­ tion with Dr. James MacCallum who provides him with the finances to devote his time to his work, and a love affair with Winnie Trainor. The mystery of Thomson's death on July 8, 1917 and the idea that it may have been foul play rather than accidental drowning as the official report stated raised some questions at play's end. Though writer Jim Betts chose to leave out significant parts of Thom­ son's Algonquin life, most curious­ ly those spent with his mentor A.Y. Jackson, and put more emphasis than necessary on the secondary characters, it is Thomson's artistic temperament, love affairs and curi­ ous demise that provide a provoca­ tive backdrop for drama, mystery and humour. Done as a musical, however, Colours often dragged where the story line left off and the songs began. The original compositions were for the most part, lyrically unimaginative and musically 'safe', though well-performed by the capa­ ble band comprised of Stephen Woodjells, Mike Allen, Shelley Coopersmith and Donna-Claire Chaisson. Perhaps, it was that lhey were named for his works, which limited the writer, but their infusion into the storyline felt at limes like being caught in stop and go traffic — and almost as irritating. The actors are solid in their por­ trayals, many of them moving from role to role with chameleon-like adaptability. In addition to Michael McManus as Thomson and Suzanne Bennett as Winnie, the cast included Randi Helmers, Mar­ tin Julien, Peggy Mahon, David Naim and Stephen Walsh, a famil­ iar face to Blyth audiences. Their roles required wide range and all were equal to the challenge. Unfortunately it seemed at times that director Richard Greenblatt, in an attempt to please a variety of tastes, had thrown too many ingre­ dients in the batter, as scenes whipped back and forth from the campy to the almost avant garde. Despite the flaws Colours which wrapped up a scvcn-wcck lour in Blyth, was an interesting play, wor­ thy of note. Il is of a lime, a man and a place more colourful, more mysterious than fiction. ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. and Mrs. Harold McCIInchey together with Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Kelly are happy to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children, Glenyce Marie to Murray Wilmer on Saturday, June 4,1994 at 7:00 p.m., Egmondvllle United Church, Egmondville. Reception to follow at Seaforth Legion HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY Mom, Dad, Kathy & Grandma THE CARLTON SHOWBAND 30th ANNIVERSARY TOUR SATURDAY MAY 28 - 8 P.M. John Williamson & Heidi Israels Friday, May 13,1994 D.J. Lunch Provided 887-6695 Tickets $5.00 MEMORIAL HALL - BLYTH Tickets $20.00 ea. Advance $25.00 ea. At Door Available at: Blyth Festival Ticket Office & Carol's Candies & Collectables - Blyth Visa/Mastercard phone orders 1-800-465-7829 Buck & Doe for (Brian & Connie (McClure Friday, May 13 9 to 1 at Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre Age of majority required For more information call 887-6907 or 522-1086 1 1 Phone 357-1630 for 24 houi 4 ^ACADEMYAWARDJ NOMINATIONS IwBEST PICTURE movie information Starts May 13/94 I I I I I I BEST DIRECTOR • Steven Spielberg BEST ACTOR ■ Liam Neeson BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR • Ralph Ficnne BEST SCREENPLAYiSISi'o?'"'" • Steven Zaillian BEST ORIGINAL SCORE • John Williams BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY ■ Janusz Kaminski ‘The Best Picture Of The Year. GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD - NEW TORK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE ■ NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW - LOS ANGELES FILM CimCS ASSOCIATION - NATIONAL SOCIETY OE FILM CRITICS BOSTON SOCIETY OP FILM CRI TICS - DALLAS FILM CRITICS ASSOC LIT ION -CHICAGO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION SHOW TIME 7:30 p.m. and will run until 11:00 p.m. (with 15 min. intermission) Friday to Thursday One Show 1 I 1 I I I I 1 1 I I 1