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The Citizen, 1994-07-13, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1994. PAGE 23. HCP Guild issues call to artists Loving Martha Henry as Mary Tyrone reminds her husband James, played by William Hutt, of the strength of love in one of her more calm and lucid moments in this scene from Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night, an autobiographical play now appearing at Stratford's Tom Patterson Theatre. Theatre Review ‘Long Day’s end a relief By Bonnie Gropp It was indeed a Long Day's Jour­ ney Into Night. The Stratford production of Eugene O'Neill's acclaimed auto­ biographical play, now appearing at the Tom Patterson Theatre is three hours of angst, torment and recrim­ inations. The story centres around the Tyrone family on the morning after a foggy evening. James, portrayed by William Hutt, is a stem Irish patriarch, with a love of drink and money. A former acclaimed actor, he is constantly antagonized by the presence of his eldest son Jamie, whom he views as lazy. A drunkard with a penchant for cheap women, Jamie also became an actor, but seems unable to hold a job. Though father and son have learned that neither can "change the leopard's spots", they, along with the sensi­ tive 'baby' of the family, Edmund are united in their devotion to their wife and mother, Mary. As the day unfolds, the three men watch warily as Mary slides back into her morphine addiction, just two months after returning home from a sanitarium. While the men accuse and battle, Mary complains over the past, the rootlcssness of living with an actor, her dissatisfaction over the summer residence, the rheumatism that has crippled her hands, the guilt over the death of a son and the fear of losing another. She denies Edmund's consumption, putting it down to a "summer cold". BUCK & DOE for Linda McLean and Wayne Rumford Saturday, July 30 9 pm to 1 am For Information phone 345-2497 or 887-6946. Call after 6 pm. Tickets $5.00 Her relapse is the climax to a day fraught with trials and tribulations. Based on his family, O'Neill's characters, their strengths and weaknesses are human. But, he belabours them. While writing Journey may have been cathartic for him such dark, dismal elo­ quence is not always pleasant to behold. Though hailed as a master­ piece, as each scene wore on, I found myself becoming less sym­ pathetic and more impatient with the whining of Mary through her reiteration of past wrongs. By the end of Act one I had a good handle on the characters so anticipated some further develop­ ment which never really happened. While the final scenes provided a little more input into the character of the men, I found I no longer cared. With all the restless stirring going on around me, I knew I was­ n't alone, either. Diana LeBlanc directs with a heavy hand, downplaying the lighter moments while over drama­ tizing the heavier ones. This, when added to the many lengthy pauses, slows down the pace so that the intensity never gains momentum. Martha Henry as Mary has an ethereal fragility which begs for compassion in the early scenes. Unfortunately, by the end I had become so weary of her puling and biller reminiscences that I dreaded her appearance on stage. Conversely, Hull's James arouses BUCK & DOE for MADDY RYAN & JEFF MILLER July 15 Teeswater Culross Community Centre Age of Majority empathy for putting up with her, while the drunken ne'er-do-well Jamie, played by Peter Donaldson, who is perpetually reproached for his cynicism, seems the most cen­ tred of them all. Tom McManus is an heroic Edmund, battling his illness and the family demons. Martha Burns’ downplaying or what could have been the stereo­ typical Irish maid is good. The voyeuristic flavour of Jour­ ney makes it a perfect vehicle for the intimate Tom Patterson The­ atre. However, rather than drawing the audience in, it leaves them sit­ ting on the edge, so that while this glimpse of family is titillating early, its end was unfortunately a relief. Happy 35th Mom and Dad Love - Your Family GOTCHA HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY Love Colleen & T.J. As part of the Festival By The Bay, Big Band concert on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m., the Huron Country Playhouse Ladies Guild will be hosting the Second Annual Open Art Exhibition beginning at 1 p.m. on the Playhouse grounds. "Last year's Open Art Exhibition was a great success," said Shirley Platt, Guild President. "We sold about $2,200 worth of art, which made the Guild about $500 in commission." This year's Open Art Exhibition is limited to the first 50 appli­ cations. Interested artists should reply to: Mrs. Eileen Pullen, Open Art Exhibition Chair, Box 1242, Grand Bend, Ontario N0M 1T0, (519) 238-8306. ■ Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information I I I I I I I Community -Liu trig (LentxaL (fL/uzon has an opening for a... One Year Contract - Facilitator, School to work Transition Project, Huron County, commencing August 29, 1994. Salary: $29,665 per annum (under review) Purpose of the Position: Responsible for the implementation of individualized School to Work Transition Plans for students, from grades seven through secondary school graduation, in the County of Huron. This entails con­ tracts with families, students, school boards, businesses, government and community organizations. Duties: 1. Co-ordinate and implement School to Work transition plans for special needs students. 2 Regularly, meet and consult with agen­ cy staff, special education/co-op per­ sonnel, families and significant others, to facilitate individualized programs. 3. Assist in developing resource materi­ als such as, audio visuals, training materials and publications, to augment the school to work program. Qualifications: Secondary School Graduation Diploma or equivalent. Post secondary courses in a related field required. Requires knowl­ edge which is usually acquired by obtain­ ing two year Community College Diploma Minimum of three years com­ munity experience with not-for-profit organizations. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills are essential, including public speaking Familiarity with WordPerfect is desirable Must have use of a reliable vehicle. Closing Date: July 25, 1994 Starting Date: August 29, 1994 Submit Application to: Peter Welsh, Co-ordinator, Employment Services, Community Living-Central Huron,P O. Box 527, Goderich. Ontario N7A 4C7 STARTS: FRIDAY JULY 15 SHOWTIMES FRI. & SAT., 7-9 PM SUN.-THURS., 8 PM I I I I I 1 I I I I I I