HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-08-11, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1999.
E ntertainment Theatre review
‘Dream’ familiar
Theatre review
‘Reaper’ elicits laughs, thrills
Maniacal laugh
Jill Dyck as Dora lets out a menacing chuckle as a worried
Harlan, Michael Spencer-Davis, looks on in Blyth Festival’s
production of When the Reaper Calls.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
It is a story with twist and turns,
friend betraying friend, spouse
deceiving spouse and dozens of
laughs packed into the two-hour
show.
Blyth Festival’s production of
Peter Colley’s When the Reaper
Calls has everything for lovers of
thrillers and unexpected ending as
well those just looking for a great
laugh and entertaining evening.
Billed as comedy/thriller. Reaper
lives up to every expectation of a
memorable mght at the theatre.
Set in the intimate Garage, the
audience feels as though they have
joined the two "yuppie” couples in
their weekend cabin escape.
It is soon learned that the two hus
bands, philosophy professors at a
local university, nave grown apart
philosophically over the years.
One remains a practical joker,
enjoying every minute of his life,
apparently, while the other, a stoic,
is so caught up in his studies that he
fails to realize his neglect of his
new', young and vital wife.
The wives, too, have their trou
bles as one spits venom at her wan
dering husband and the other frets
over lack of passion.
It is the wonderful portrayal of the
distinct personalities brought to life
vividly by Jill Dyck, Kate Hemblen,
Michael Spencer-Davis and Larry
Yachimec which draws the audience
into the story.
So completely captivating in their
personae are the four actors that
from the opening chuckle to the
final hug, never is a thought given
that these could be real people deal
ing with real issues.
Two newcomers to Blyth,
Hemblen as new-age herbalist
Colleen and on-stage husband
Spencer-Davis as Harlan, play off
each other perfectly.
The dutiful young wife, Colleen
sees her role as supportive of
Harlan's scholastic work until
"helpful” Victor (Yachimec) points
out the neglect.
It is apparently only then that
Colleen’s eyes are opened to
Harlan’s shortcomings. Appearing
naive, she is convinced by Victor to
take part in a scheme to awaken
Harlan's passions.
Meanwhile, Victor’s medical-stu
dent wife Dora appears to be plot
ting his demise for his years of infi
delity.
As the story travels through one
evening in the lives of these charac
ters, the mood moves from hilarious
to poignant and silly to downright
startling, it flows beautifully with
perfect timing and jolts the
observers with sudden action or
sound.
Adding to the array of characters
is Blyth's own Erin Roulston as she
portrays the young police officer
stopping by to investigate the
heinous crime of tricycle theft.
Her abrupt on-stage entries and
humorous facial expressions con
tribute to the obviously confusing
experience she is having as she
becomes acquainted with the
strange goings-on at the cottage.
Under the direction of Blyth vet
J loppy 25thpffnniversary
Brian & Elaine (Jacklin) Armstrong
Golden Wedding Anniversary
eran Eric Coates and set in the per
fect cottage-surrounding created by
designer Deeter Schurig, Reaper
makes viewers laugh yet still think.
Not only is the mind occupied
about what twist will turn up next,
but also with the deeply philosophi
cal conversations had by Harlan and
Victor.
Because of the frequently shifting
alliances, in reviewing this produc
tion it is always best to remember a
particular event may only “appear”
to be fact. All comes clear in the
end.
And that end is the perfect finish
to an entirely enjoyable evening.
They’re Fiddlin’
at the Falls
this weekend
The annual Fiddling at the Falls
Jamboree is set for Saturday, Aug.
14, 1999 at Falls Reserve
Conservation Area. The Jamboree
provides visitors with the chance to
hear some terrific live music while
relaxing along the scenic Maitland
River. This year marks the ninth
year for the Jamboree.
The musical hosts of the event
are the Gypsy Campers. The music
begins at 1 p.m. and will continue
throughout the afternoon in the
day-use area of the park. The
Gypsy Campers are inviting local
musicians to come and join in the
fun. The event attracts musicians of
all ages. Musicians interested in
participating in the Jamboree can
register at the picnic pavillion.
Admission to Falls Reserve
Conservation Area is $7 per
vehicle. Falls Reserve features a
concession booth and refreshments
will be available on the site. Bring
your lawn chair and settle back to
enjoy the talents of area musicians.
Falls Reserve Conservation Area
is located west of Benmiller, 10
minutes from Goderich, on County
Road 31. The 192 hectare family
park features over 150 campsites, a
group camping area, hiking trails
and children’s conservation
activities all in a beautiful natural
setting.
For further information about
Fiddling at the Falls please contact
Krista Ferguson at (519) 524-6429.
Congratulations
on this special
day!
Their children & the
Jacklin & Armstrong
families would like
friends, relatives,
neighbours & former
neighbours to join
them in this
celebration at an
open reception
on August 21
at 8:30 p.m.
in Brussels Arena
Considering the future
Michelle Fisk and Samantha Reynolds, in a scene from
Blyth Festival’s production of James W. Nichol’s Every
Dream share a tender moment. (Off Broadway photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
If James Nichol wanted to write a
play that people could relate to, then
he has succeeded with Every Dream.
This story of a modem middle-class
family, which premiered at Blyth
Festival, Aug. 5, played out to the
accompaniment of empathetic com
ments from its opening night audi
ence.
But though the woes of this group
of people were often all too familiar
they were also a tad exhausting.
The play first introduces us to
Belinda and Kintu, a nurse and doc
tor respectively, who through con
versation in the hospital cafeteria
educate us to the fact that the facility
may be facing closure.
Next we meet Belinda’s husband
Harry, 52 years of age and unem
ployed from his administrative job
through downsizing. With his sever
ance nearly spent, money has
become as low as his self-esteem.
Their son, Gil, a lawyer has had to
work in real estate, pressured by a
relationship with a developer’s over
achieving daughter. Their youngest
Lil, a recent graduate of teacher’s
college goes through a series of
The family of Clare and Gladys VanCamp invite you to attend an Open
House in honor of their parents’ 50th Wedding Anniversary.
This happy event will be held on Saturday, August 21st from 2 - 5 p.m. at
the Women’s Institute Hall, Belgrave. Best Wishes only, please.
menial jobs while applying at every
board of education from southern to
northern Ontario.
Never seen but oft discussed is
Marsha, the runaway daughter with
the drug problem.
As Harry becomes more frustrated
by his inability to find suitable
employment, a sure-bet investment
idea brought to him by Gil disrupts
the family life, almost irrevocably. It
seems almost too much, even for a
typical 90s family to bear. And yet,
the sense of deja vu, of seeing
aspects of one’s life playing out on
stage was evident. That Nichol ties
these many things into a still slightly
flawed but secure package, a gift of
hope, is a credit to his ability as a
playwright.
The roles are well cast, with Jerry
Franken as Harry and Michelle Fisk
as Belinda, who is superb as usual.
Also fitting into their personas nice
ly are Eric Davis as Gil, Samantha
Reynolds as Lil, Adrienne Wilson as
Sylvia and Malcolm Xerxes as
Kintu. The accomplished performers
create vivid characters which if the
constant murmur through the audi
ence on opening night was any indi
cation, people relate to well.
Continued on Pg, 19