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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-24, Page 23Practising for the future Gregg Dechert, who played with the rock band Bad Company and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, was at the Ark in Brussels on Monday, Aug. 15 to help members of the Wingham based band Sexpionage, learn the technical and business sides of being in a band. Band members are, from left, Rob Bower, Randy James and Chad Kregar. Drummer Dave Bower was absent. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1994. PAGE 23. Theatre Review Writer says play hard to define E ntertainment Theatre Review Play confusing, but fun By Janice Becker Even if you have never been drawn to attend a Shakespearian play at one of Stratford's three the­ atres, the performance of A Comedy of Errors is worth a visit. The story tells of two sets of twins, split as youngsters due to a shipwreck, and taken to different cities in different countries, Syra­ cuse and Ephesus. One child from each pair grows up together, one as the Master, Antipholus, and the other as the servant, Dromio. (The children are distraught at being separated so one of each twin takes the other's name, thereby cre­ ating an Antipholus of Syracuse, Antipholus of Ephesus, Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus) If the set up for the story is some­ what confusing, this is mild in McKinnon, Harron return Two of Canada's best-known performers - Catherine McKinnon and Don Harron, will perform A.R. Gurney Jr.'s enchanting two person play, Love. Leiters, at Bly th Memorial Community Hall, Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2:30 p.m. as a special fundraising event for the Blylh Festival. A.R. Gurney Jr.'s witty and literate Love Leiters traces the life­ long relationship between Andy and Melissa (played by Don Harron and Catherine McKinnon) as told through their letters from a Grade 2 birthday party through to love and marriage (to other people). A delicate dialogue, this play portrays the ups and downs of two people who love each other dearly using their correspondence to share their feelings. Don Harron and Catherine McKinnon are returning to Huron comparison to the contusion faced by the characters as the twins come to be in the same city, unbeknownst to each other, some 18 years later. It is this premise which leads to the comedy of errors, as the mixed sets of twins confront, confuse and cajole each other, believing him to be the friend he has grown up with. The first act of the production drags slightly, but the antics and hilarity of the second act allows the audience to overcome any difficul­ ty with Shakespearian English and enjoy the bewilderment of the brothers and their acquaintances. The outstanding performances by the Dromio twins, portrayed by Tom McCamus and Stephen Ouimettc, anchors the production. In makeup, the two arc almost indistinguishable from one another. Il is very easy to understand the perplexed looks on the faces of the County for what may become their annual appearance in support of the Blylh Festival. Don Harron is one of this country's most extraordinary talents. A modern 'Renaissance Man’ whose entertainment career has included achievements as an actor, writer, broadcaster, comic and producer, Don is probably best- known to Canadians as his is alter- ego Charlie Farquharson. Catherine McKinnon's incredible professional career has lake many roads from night clubs and countless national TV series' appearances to starring roles on stage, Juno Awards, and a Command Performance before her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, in Halifax. Tickets for Love Letters, at S25 each, are available from the Blylh Festival Box Office, 523-9300 and the following outlets: Campbell twin Masters Antipholus, Antipho­ lus of Ephesus' wife and their kitchen woman, to whom one of the Dromios is wed. As the chaos comes to a head, when Antipholus of Syracuse's father is about to be beheaded for trespassing in Ephesus, the two sets of twins arrive in the same place at the same time. The explanation of the chain of events which has lead to Antipho­ lus of Ephesus' arrest is a mastery of speech by Kevin Bundy, Antipholus of Syracuse. It is with relief that the proper pairs arc reunited. Updated with modem attire and only metal frames to signify the changing of location, the sparse set allows the talented cast to bring the humour of A Comedy of Errors to the entertained audience. Photography, Goderich (524-7532); Crossroads, Clinton (482-5855) and Bluewater Office Equipment, Wingham (357-1554). This Blylh Festival fund raising event is generously sponsored by Blyth. Citizen, Canlel, Ideal Supply Company, CKNX Radio FM 102, and Paul Zurbrigg. Buck and Doe for ROB CARDIFF & ALLYSON SCOTT Friday, August 26,1994 B.M. & G. Community Centre 9 - 1 - D.J. Age of Majority By Shane Taylor It was not really a parody. It was not completely a satire. Il was not quite exactly a farce. Il was sort of almost inane. It was definitely different. Maybe that's why many of the people in the audience watching the Blyth Festival Young Company's performance of Our Parents Made Us Do It!, were not sure what to think of it. It's hard to define. Why try to label this teenage pro­ duction. Is it peer pressure? Is it so they could react accordingly? Or is it that they are in too big a hurry to stop and find out for themselves? Pressure. React accordingly. Time. These three problems seemed to be on the minds of the young actors and actresses through­ out most of the production. (Along with the Frank Zappa style music going on in the background.) Someone would laugh in a room full of serious faces then embar­ rassingly turn serious again. Then everyone would look at their watch and run off somewhere in a big hurry. Maybe parents have forced the importance of these factors on young children too much. Maybe society forced it on their parents. Rather than argue about the real meaning (or lack of) behind all their actions, this play should mean different things to different people. After all, I thought I saw the late President of Korea’s blind follow­ ers mourning his death. I also saw several Hitlers trying to force their ways on others. Of course on the other hand, there was always some­ body trying their hardest to con­ form. Maybe I read too much into it. Maybe some people are not reading enough. Many of the kids' actions in the show appeared to be just a reflec­ tion of the rules society has been sending them. World renowned sci­ entist and author, Carl Sagan once said, "A society that restricts its youth from their natural tendencies, is a violent society." These young people should be encouraged to develop dnd expand their own creative talents. And they sure looked like they were having a lol of fun doing the show. Although some parts appeared like they had just been put in to be different, there were some really funny parodies. I especially enjoyed the scene where they run through the tables and crash into the wall, which reminded me of the extreme importance that everyone places on track and field days at school. I also have no doubt that they learned a great deal about innova­ tive theatre techniques like glow in the dark lighting and chore­ ographed musical actions. As I was leaving, I overheard a middle-aged couple comment that they didn't think the show had made much sense. They wondered what was with the strange hairdos and wacky clothes? Their comments and many other ideas and questions were running through my mind as I drove past the empty parked cars of the people who were still at the play being performed at the "real" Blyth Festi­ val. Then it hit me. Perhaps, that cou­ ple would have been belter off with the crowd of well dressed people, who were safely watching the com­ edy that was playing at the theatre. Afterwards they'd look at their watches and say, "Oh my it's late, gotta go!".