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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-07-16, Page 21PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16,1997 Theatre review Stratford’s ‘Juno’ enchants and enthralls Outstanding cast The cast of Stratford Festival's Juno and Paycock, presents a marvelous show. From left: James Blendick and Captain Jack Boyle, Lally Cadeau as Juno Boyle, Andrew Strachan as Johnny Boyle, Geoffrey Pounsett as Charles Bentham and Cara Hunter as Mary Boyle. By Janice Becker Citizen staff From the hilarious strut of a man continuously on the edge of inebri­ ation to the heart-wrenching grief of a mother who has lost her only son, Stratford Festival's production of Juno and Pay cock, will enchant and enthrall. When looking at the performance in its entirety, there is not a weak link in the production. The cast is utterly believable as a 1922 Irish Catholic family, struggling with poverty, strikes and religious Fight­ ing which still rings true today. The Boyle family's poverty is beautifully established by the sparse setting, the mismatched and well-worn chairs which surround the dining table. The stem and strong Juno Boyle (Lally Cadeau), speaks adamantly with her daughter, Mary (Cara Hunter) about the daughter's deci­ sion to gc> on strike when the fami­ ly has so little. Cadeau, whose performance as the matriarch, and backbone, of the family is wonderful, must not only deal with her daughter, but a hus­ band who spends more time at the Graduation Graduations THERESA KNOX MELANIE KNOX Sarah McArter graduated June 23, 1997 from Marvel Beauty School In Kitchener. Sarah is the daughter of Murray and Gayle McArter. Congratulations Sarah Love Dad, Mom & Becky local pub than looking for work and a son who lost his arm, and some of his sanity, in the religious battles. It is her solid centreing which allows the eccentric characters to circle around her. James Blendick as Captain Jack Boyle is superb as the self-pro­ claimed head of the Boyle family, though he would not mention such a thought in Juno's presence. Though somewhat stereotypical as a character, Blendick plays him to perfection. He is an aging drunk, who would rather sit in the pub with his ne'er-do-well buddy, than look for a job to support the family. The mere mention of the possibility of a job sends shooting pains through his legs. His telling of tales is legendary and as authentic as his nickname Captain. Juno blasts him for using the name as he had been on the water but once and turned green at the experience. No matter how farfetched the tales of the Captain, he always has his friend, Joxer, at his side, sup­ porting his every word. It is soon learned that Joxer will support the words of whomever's company he is keeping and which will best Theresa and Melanie Knox, daughters of Barb and Mel Knox, both graduated with distinction from the University of Guelph, June 5,1997. Theresa received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Veterinary College. She has accepted a position at the Veterinary Clinic in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Melanie received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree. She will be attending Althouse College In London in the fall. Congratulations girls on your achievements to date! Best Wishes and Much Love for your future endeavors! From Mum, Dad, and Chris. serve his needs. The interaction between Joxer (Brian Tree) and the Captain brings wonderful humour to the some­ times somber story of despair. The ever-present Johnny Boyle, the son with one arm, is a constant reminder of the terrible times in which the story is set. Throughout comic exchanges with the Captain and Joxer, Johnny sits quietly next to the stove or curled on his bed, hiding from the word outside. The optimist in the family is young Mary, bound by her belief ‘Melville Boys’ come to Blyth The Melville Boys, a delightful comedy about two brothers and their weekend of chaos at the cottage, opens July 30 at the Blyth Festival. This Norm Foster play premiered at Theatre New Bruns­ wick in 1984 when Blyth's Artistic Director Janet Amos had just taken over the reins as artistic director there. It won the Los Angeles Cri­ tics Drama-Logue Award in 1988. Foster continues to be one of the most prolific playwrights in Canada. His plays, among them Sinners, Wrong For Each Other, The Affec­ tions of May (the most produced play in Canada in 1991), The Motor Trade, Opening Night and The Long Weekend, have been performed across Canada, in the U.S. and Australia. The 1996-97 season has had world premieres of three new Foster plays: Office Hours, Jupiter in July and The Last Re&ort. However, Foster says he holds The Melville Boys closest to his heart because there is more of him in this play than in any of his others and, also because, 13 years later, it is still the play he is measured by. The Blyth cast of The Melville Boys features Eric Coates as Lee Melville, the responsible married brother Coates is also part of the Booze Days in a Dry County collective at the Festival this year and reprises his many roles in Barndance Live!, a play he helped to create at the Festival last year. His other Festival productions include: The Tomorrow Box, Jake's Place and He Won't Come in from the Barn. that "a principle is a principle", she finds justification in her strike and pleasure in a new young man who has brought good fortune to the family. One brief appearance, lasting no more than five minutes, cannot be overlooked by this reviewer. The performance of Patricia Collins as Mrs. Tancred, the grieving mother, was simply outstanding. Her dark­ ened eyes stared into nothingness as she seemed oblivious to the con­ versations around her. Her disbelief Ari Cohen, in his first season at Blyth, is Owen Melville, the younger, lively brother. Cohen can also be seen in the Festival production of Quiet in the Land. The two sisters who burst into the Melville brothers' weekend retreat, creating unexpected mayhem, tears and laughter, are played by Sharon Bembaum and Carolyn Hay. Bernbdeen, in her Blyth Festival debut, is Loretta, a gregarious aspiring actress. She can also be seen in Quiet in the Land. Hay, in her second season at Blyth, is Mary, the quiet repressed sister. She is also part of Booze Days in a Dry County and reprises her many roles in Barndance Live! The cast is directed by Patricia Vanstone, who appeared as Loretta in the premiere-production at Theatre New Brunswick. Production stage manager is Maria Costa, assisted by Tanya Greve. Set and costume designer is D'arcy Poultney, with lighting design by Michael Kruse. Sponsored by CIBC, with media sponsor AM1410, The Melville Boys runs in repertory until Aug. 22. For tickets, call (519) 523- 9300. • High fat foods ranks as the number one nutrition/health con­ cern expressed by Canadians. (The 1992 Yankelovich MONITOR™ In Canada). Graduation Maryanne Perrie graduated June 4th from the University of Guelph with a diploma In Agribusiness and a diploma In Farm Operators and Managers. Maryanne also received the Honourary President's Award. Maryanne Is the daughter of John and Mary Perrie, R.R. 3 Brussels. Congratulations from Dad, Mom, Alan, Adam, Andrew and your favourite aunt that her only son had been killed in the fighting could be felt with every nerve. As a tear slowly ran down her face, she spoke of gathering her son's body from the morgue. Tljcre surely would have been more than one wet eye in the house. There was a look on her face which could haunt one's memory. Though the first act of Juno and Paycock, is light, filled with humour and laughs as Captain tries to avoid work at all cost and is rewarded by a supposed inheri­ tance, the second act brings the family back to the world around them. Money does not solve their problems, and in this case, has made the situation for the entire Boyle clan much, much worse. Though the story ends on a sad note, it is one which will not soon be forgotten. Graduation Donald K. Procter graduated in June 1997 from Waterloo Lutheran Semlnary/Wilfrld Laurier University with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies in Pastoral Counselling. Congratulations and love from your family, Kathy, Kristi, Tim and Michael. Graduation ANITA B. GROSS D.C. daughter of Gordon arid Bernice Gross, Auburn, graduated from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College on May 2, 1997. Anita received the Dr. Sutherland Award for academic achievement and student service. In September, Dr. Gross will be establishing her chiro­ practic practice in Simcoe. We're proud of your accomplishments, Anita! Love Mom, Dad, Bryan, April & Scott.