HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-07-07, Page 31THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1999. PAGE 31.
E ntertainment
Theatre review
Time to lighten up
At Blyth
Blyth newcomer Noah Reid and perennial favourite Eric
Coates appear in this scene from Blyth Festival’s Big Box,
a satirical play about retailing in 2015 Canada, which
opened on Friday night and runs in repertory until Aug. 18.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Been taking yourself a little too
seriously lately? Then you might
want to lighten up and take in Big
Box which opened last Friday night
at Blyth Festival.
Not for the morally conservative,
perhaps, Box penned wittingly by
David Carley, seems at first to be
not much more than whimsical non
sense. Upon reflection it becomes
clear that a good deal of time was
spent laughing at some fairly seri
ous issues. Morality, single parent
ing, adolescence and relationships
are all underlying points beneath the
main story of love of community
and the death of smalltown down
towns.
Set in Ontario in the year 2015,
the play begins with Maude a senior
citizen who blames the demise of
her and her husband’s small busi
ness on WaLMart. She makes a
death-bed promise to her spouse
that she will bomb all those big box
stores.
As her crusade begins other char
acters are drawn into the story, the
late Sam Walton, a gumshoe detec
tive and his son, a donut shop girl
and even God.
It’s difficult to lay down the story
for another; it all seems a little silly.
But leave reality, and your ability to
be offended at the door, then let the
play speak for itself and it’s about as
much fun as — oh, I don’t know —
a good ankle rub?
Directed by Festival founder,
James Roy, who also produced a
CBC Radio version of Big Box, the
production is sharp. Though there
were moments that slowed, jokes
that missed, these were soon forgot
ten as the dialogue was punched out
at a staccato rhythm. Helping with
this is the marvelous set design by
Teresa Przybylski, which is not only
fun to look at but allows for smooth
scene changes.
The cast is wonderful, playing
their roles with tongue firmly in
cheek. Every stereotype is played to
full effect and the performers are
clearly having the time of their
lives.
For full comic value, Eric Coates
as detective Quincy is a standout.
Playing Philip Marlowe with a zero
IQ he can get a laugh with a glance
at the audience. Terry Tweed as
Maude and Jerry Franken as Sam
Walton give typically solid perform
ances, while Kate Hemblen as
Juliette and Noah Reid as Quincy’s
precocious son are great Abotts to
Coates’s Costello. Michael Spencer-
Davis does well in three roles that
take him from the sewer to the heav
ens.
As mentioned before, there are
some who may find parts of Box
offensive so be forewarned.
References to Listowel as the Sex
Capital of Ontario, full of people
with low morals, seemed to upset
some. (Bom and raised in Listowel,
I guess my morals are very low,
because I actually found the com
ments quite funny.)
Comments of ankle rubbing may
rankle, innuendoes may irritate, but
taken in a sense of fun they are fair
ly tame.
However, anyone who is bothered
by suggestive humour might want to
skip this one, though personally I
think that would be a shame. There
are some very serious messages sent
in Big Box that everyone should
hear. That they are delivered in a
way that begs you to find some
humour, are the best invitation you
can get.
After all, the cast doesn’t seem to
be taking anything too seriously so
why should we. Look for the laughs,
try not to be offended and then
spend the next while thinking about
what the story was really trying to
tell you.
Hensall opens
homes
The Hensall Horticulture Society
will hold its annual home and
garden tour on Saturday, July 10
and Sunday, July 11.
The tour includes more than 20
stops in southern Huron County
and features a variety of village
gardens, lush country farms, and
lakeside homes. There are several
artists in residence at some stops
and refreshments offered along the
way.
This tour gives the visitor an
inside look at living on Ontario's
West Coast and encourages
participants to take time and
experience the many quaint country
villages and shops along the way.
The tour is generously sponsored
by Pursell Vigoro Canada Ltd., and
their garden products will be
available at designated stops on the
tour.
Tickets are $5 in advance and
can be purchased at area outlets.
For the closest ticket outlet, contact
519-263-5050.
Gotcha!
Happy 30th
Co-Co
July 8th
Luv
Dad & Mom
XXOO
Happy 50lh Wedding Anniversary
Mom & Dad
Please celebrate with us the
50th Wedding Anniversary
of
Graham & Margaret Work
Everyone is welcome
to attend an
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, July 11 from
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Melville Presbyterian Church
Brussels
Best Wishes Only, Please
Love
Ken, Judy, Kathy, Brian
Mystery at Doon Crossroads
There’s a mystery to be solved at
Doon Heritage Crossroads on
Sunday, July 18.
Many of the villagers are ill. No
one knows why.
Come out to Doon and explore
the state of health and medicine in
1914 Waterloo County. Learn
about the public health system,
faith healers, patent medicines and
home remedies.
And while there, investigate the
village, question the residents for
clues, and solve a medical mystery.
Regular admission.
Atwood Lions
Bingo
every Thursday
Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Jackpot $500.
on 54 calls
Pot of Gold $500.
on 58 calls
Loonie Bin
TWIN CINEMA 1
| SURROUND SOUND STEREO 1 ;
LISTOWEL 291-3070
HI
STARTS FRIDAY
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CINEMA 1 7 & 9:00 P.M.
SUNDAY MATINEE 2 P.M.
BIG
DADDY
ADAM SANDLER
CINEMA 2 7 & 9:00 P.M.
SUNDAY MATINEE 2 P.M.
WALT DISNEY’S
TARZAN
Family
Give Someone
a Second Chance.
Please give generously.
The Kidney Foundation
ofCanada
BUCK & DOE
for
LEANNE BELL
&
WILFRED DATEMA
Saturday, July 10
Blyth Arena
D.J. MCL SOUND
Lunch Age of I
Provided Majority
For more information call
5234245
or
482-9394
T ■ .............
Happy 1st Birthday
Emily & Sean Mitchell
July 8,1999
Love Mommy & Daddy