HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-08-25, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1999. PAGE 19.
Theatre review
Youth revive an oldie for Blyth Festival
4
By Ashley Gropp
______Special to The Citizen
In Blyth this month all things old
are new again. This year’s Young
Company is currently showing
their production, Mostly In Clover
at the Garage Theatre. The show
ends August 28.
The play, an adaptation of The
Clover Trilogy, Mostly in Clover,
Homebrew and Patches, and With a
Pinch of Sin, by Harry J. Boyle,
takes place in the Depression in
Huron County.
The play is a significant choice
Theatre review
‘Alchemist’ features talented cast
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
There was fun,"frolic and numer
ous schemes when a talented cast
took to the stage at Stratford ’s Fes
tival Theatre for The Alchemist.
Written by contemporary and
friend of William Shakespeare, Ben
Jonson’s work is very reminiscent
of Shakespeare in word.
Set during the time of discovery
and belief in mysticism in the mid-
first millenium, Jonson’s charac
ters, Subtle, portrayed by Keith
Dinicol, Face (Benedict Campbell
and Doi Common (Diane
D’Aquila) have a wonderful time
scamming and tricking some of the
local out of their coinage.
The stage is set for the con when
Face’s master Lovewit (Bernard
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How to demonstration
Cast of the the collective Death of a Hired Man, inspired by Paul Thompson, travelled to the
Morris Twp. farm of Mike Beretta, centre, last Friday for a hands-on lesson in the age-old art
of stooking.
for the group. Mostly in Clover was
the first show of the Blyth Festival.
In fact, additional material was
supplied by the original cast of
Mark Battye, Gordon Bradley,
Angela Gei, Jim Schaefer and Ron
Swartz.
Each cast member made an
impression on the audience with
unforgettable scenes. Daryle
Henry, who played the father,
showed versatility in his acting,
leading the audience to believe him
much older than his age. Melissa
Boneschansker did some amazing
physical work, playing a better
Hopkins) leaves home for an
extended trip.
It is then that the entrepreneurial
spirit of housekeeper Face emerges
and, finding accomplices in con
artists Subtle and Doi Common,
they set up shop as with Subtle as
the. mystic alchemist who can turn
metals into gold amd foresee
futures, Face as the procurer of vic
tims and Doi as the woman who
makes men forget their senses.
While the concept of the story
was fun and the acting was good,
The Alchemist lost something along
the way.
Though the costumes were spec
tacular, it can be annoying when
not all characters appear to be
dressed from the same time period.
And though obviously played for
humour, the lisping Spaniard
horse than one could possibly
expect from a human being. The
mother, credited only as Arlene,
showed maturity in her mannerisms
from the opening scenes. Sarah
Gedeke had an understated
presence that was particularly
amusing as a curious phone
operator. Heather Soanes stood
proudly heartless as an emcee at a
Tonic competition. At that
competition, John Battye played an
excellent sickly judge. He was also
marvelous as the young Henry.
Jordon Henry played a vicious
young man with such cruelty, that
(Bradford Farwell) and somewhat
dull Scotsman (Thom Marriott)
may not sit well with all viewers.
The lengthy three-hour produc
tion was buoyed somewhat by
wonderful personal performances.
Early in the first act, veteran
actor James Blendick gives an
impassioned speech about the joys
of being rich and expounds at great
length about all the sins and
debauchery he will undertake once
all his copper (etc.) is turned to
gold, while outwardly professor to
use his increased wealth to help
public.
Though appearing to be a bum
bling oaf, the Scot quickly gets the
audience behind him as he tries to
protect the virtue his sister who
would be taken advantage of by the
numerous rapscallions.
the audience was able to purely
despise him each time he entered as
that character. Fiona Mongillo was
poised and consistent. The narrator,
Robin Wong, was confident and
articulate, never faltering while
singing or speaking.
There was a couple who were
especially captivating. Geoff
Armour played every scene with
eagerness, but made a particularly
good scam artist. Each of the roles
he had, he threw himself into. The
actor credited only as Curtis played
various characters, including the
grandfather. He particularly shone
While The Alchemist does have
its moments of humour the produc
tion, in general, left this reviewer
flat.
Definitely not a bad production,
neither did it lift one up or leave
one smiling on the way out the
door.
Our farmers feed us well. The
Huron Perth Safe Farming
Coalition asks you to respect the
space needed on our roads by farm
vehicles during harvest time. Know
safety, no pain. No safety, know
pain.
Congratulations
on your
45th Wedding
Anniversary
Mom & Dad
Leona & Jim Armstrong
August 28
Love and
Best Wishes
from your
family and friends
as a dimwitted, though not stupid,
young farm hand. That portrayal
was absolutely beautiful and a
highlight of the show.
The atmosphere in The Garage fit
the play perfectly as did the setting
was created by Cappy Onn, stage
manager, and Robin Sanders,
technician. The set was Tilled with
country clutter, the lighting was
subtle and the sound effects were
clear, although at times the music
was too loud, drowning out the
voices of the softer spoken actors.
Remaining show times are
Friday, Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. and
Saturday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. There
is a suggested donation of $10 at
the door.
STARTS FRIDAY
CINEMA 1 7 & 9:15 P.M. pg
RUNAWAY BRIDE
Julia Roberts, Richard Gere
CINEMA 2 7 & 9:15P.M. pg
MYSTERY
MEN
Together we
Toni Rene Richmond
and
Bradley John Allen Rodges
are pleased to announce
our forthcoming marriage
Saturday, August 28, 1999
4 p.m.
at the Rodges Farm
Reception to follow
9 p m.
\X/hite Carnation,
Holmesville.
Did you know? ... Fish cannot
survive without proper habitat:
clean water, undisturbed bottom
and natural shorelines.
We Raise Our Glasses And Shout Out Cheers
The Twins Are Celebrating -
"How Many Years?"
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 56 calls
Loonie Bin
Happy Birthday August 31, 1999
Love your families