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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-12-07, Page 31THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1994. PAGE 31. Canadian Brass at Kitchener’s Centre Theatre review Magic in ‘Secret Garden’ It’s a secret Maggie Blake, as Mary Lennox and Eric Woolfe as Dickon share a moment in The Secret Garden now appearing at The Grand Theatre in London. By Keith Roulston There are magical moments in The Grand Theatre's The Secret Garden. Unfortunately they don't start until late in the production. In the first half of Paul Ledoux's adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, The Grand's pro­ duction suffers from too much real­ ism that makes it clunk instead of soar. The play, like many modem stage pieces, is made up of short scenes, particularly in Act 1. One imagines that when the Ledoux adaptation was first staged at Young People's Theatre in Toronto the different scenes would have been done with minimal set changes, leaving lots to the imagi­ nation of the audience. But at The Grand, each new scene has its own elaborate set and even with The Grand's elaborate stage machinery, the set changes drag down the pace of the production. In the first act there are five different sets, ranging from a see-through scrim for the opening scenes in India, to a huge castle wall to a bedroom to a kitchen garden and finally the secret garden itself. Il leads to long moments of sitting in the dark wait­ ing for set changes and losing the momentum of the story. By Act 2, when the action is con­ fined to just two settings, The Secret Garden regains its momen­ tum and ends with a truly wonder­ ful piece of stage magic. Il isn’t until Act 2 that the actors arc able to take over the story and show their best work either, partic­ ularly 11-year-old Maggie Blake who plays Mary Lennox, the orphan sent home from India after her parents' death to live in the for­ bidding estate of her uncle. Ms Blake, who played Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker at The Grand last year plays another spoiled wilful child here though she finally gets to speak. Young Mary has been raised by servants while her parents were off working and socializing and she has become a terror. Her uncle, heart-broken by the death of his wife, also abandons her but a couple of servants in her new home help bring her out of her selfishness and her discovery of the secret garden, locked by her uncle who couldn't bear to see the garden his wife loved so much, changes her view of the world. Ms Blake is at her best in Act 2 when she is helping her invalid cousin discover the glories of the garden and overcome his own problems of abandonment by his grieving father. She and Aidan De Salaiz as Colin, have a stage chem­ istry that brings out the best in both. They engage in spirited strug- HAPPY SWEET 16TH JEN (Ralph) Dec. 11th gles as she tries to convince him he isn't dying as he thinks, and that he must leave his claustrophobic bed­ room. Mr. De Salaiz, who appeared al The Grand as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol and at Huron Country Playhouse in Oliver!, has an assured presence on stage. Both young actors shine in a production that stars such veterans as Bernard Hopkins, former Grand artistic director, and Kate Hennig. Ms Hennig, as the boisterous maid Martha, manages to give Act 1 what lift it has as she struggles to charm "Mistress Mary quite con­ trary" out of her selfish moods. Mr. Hopkins plays Ben Weatherstaff, the gruff gardener with a tender heart underneath. Eric Woolfe as Dickon, Martha's young brother who she brings in to work with Mary, adds life to the production. Brigitte Robinson as the stern, housekeeper Mrs. Medlock, has an impossible part. She's cold and, it seems, scheming through most of the play, then suddenly turns out to be good at the happy ending. Char­ lie Tomlinson in the double role of Lord Craven and the underhanded Dr. Craven (his brother) can't man­ age to invest either character with a sense of being a real person. William Hutt has the play ticking by the end but in the first act it's dragged down by the constant interruptions for set changes. In Act 2, where actors get longer scenes, they turn in their best perfor­ mances. John Thompson's sets are mostly beautiful, particularly the Secret Garden of Act 2. Backstage crew, led by assistant stage manager Martine Beland, a familiar part of the Blyth Festival since 1986, deserve special credit for their contribution to the magic of the show. Each time the revolv­ ing stage changes back to the secret garden, it has changed, progressing from winter to spring, with more flowers and more leaves on the trees. The audience Saturday night was filled with children attending with their families and they sat attentive­ ly throughout so perhaps the magic this grumpy old man missed wasn't evident to them. The Grand has made a special effort to make this a holiday season family outing by reducing ticket prices for younger audience members. For an evening of sassy, brassy Christmas entertainment, head to The Canadian Brass concert at The Centre In The Square in Kitchener. A holiday tradition, The Brass returns this year just before Christmas - on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. Their special guests at this concert are the Mississauga Children's Choir. Highlights from the planned programme include a holiday sing­ along, and selections from their new Christmas album, Noel. The Canadian Brass first appeared on the music scene in 1970. Since then, the brass quintet has established itself as a vital force in the music world. These classically trained musicians have transformed a previously neglected group of instruments into an exciting and versatile ensemble which performs everything from Bach to Dixieland. While The Canadian Brass have paved the way for many other brass groups, they remain in a class by themselves. The Brass' special guests, the Mississauga Children's Choir, conducted by Elizabeth Powers, has performed throughout Southern Ontario and recently appeared in the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour1 Dreamcoal. In an effort to raise public awareness of issues surrounding the emotional, social and behavioural problems facing children today, the Hincks Treatment Centre for Children's Mental Health is sponsoring the choir's appearance. Tickets are available for The Canadian Brass concert by calling The Centre In The Square. Doon Heritage Crossroads celebrates festive season Doon Heritage Crossroads village is decorated for Christmas and will be open on Dec. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for those looking for a pleasant and fun experience. Bring your family and friends to Doon and discover what Christmas was like before battery operated toys and artificial trees. Each house will be seasonally decorated as the villagers and farmers prepare for that very special day. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of a Christmas past with a horse-drawn wagon ride through the recreated turn of the century rural Waterloo County village. Support The Lung Association’s Christmas Seal Campaign For more information on lung disease; or to make a donation, call A. THE toll-free 1 -800-668-7682 When You Can’t Breathe, Nothing Else Matters. LUNG ASSOCIATION The Christmas Seal People PARK THEATRE H1 liji > I, 2,Jd 1 ! FRI.-THURS. DEC. 09-15 FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 PM SUN.-THURS. 7:30 PM SAT. & SUN. MAT. 2 P.M. T I M o o Hi FAMILY CHRISTMAS IS COMING! GIFT CERTIFICATES GOOD IDEA. IN PUTTING ON THIS SUIT ANP ENTERING THE SLEIGH, THE WEARER WAIVES ANT AND ALL RIGHTS 3 A L L E ALL MAT. SEATS s4.00o 2 310VNO S3WCO30 83HVJM 1VH1 3WI1 FOOS HIND SOVl) ViNVS JO S3lllll0ISNOdS3M ONV $31100 Santa Clali Graduation LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO Happy Birthday OLDER COUSIN! Dec.9,1994 Holly Dauphin, daughter of Gary and Heather, recently graduated from Marvel School of Hairdressing in London. Holly is presently employed at First Choice Haircutters In London. Congratulations Holly! Love, your family LYCEUM THEATRE Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie Information The Lion King SHOWTIMES Starts December 9 Fri. toThurs. 7:30 p.m. Sun 2:00 matinee FREE POSTER to the First 50 people Fri., Sat., Sun., & Sun. Matinee Gotcha! Michelle, Cheryl, Krista & Janice FREE Matinee Sponsored By Wingham's Merchants Angels in the Outfield Saturday December 10 2:00 p.m.