Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-08-15, Page 18Check out The Citizen's WEBSITE at www.northhuron.on.ca Happy 40th Anniversary August 19 BARB AND DON DUNBAR OPP41144-1 $004,4 Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel GODERICH 18 Victoria St. S. (Hwy 21) (519) 524-8692 or 1-877-847-1272 www.ettravel.com "In IPSO Ellison Travel was established in Exeter. Today_ I am pleased.to announce the September opening of our Goderich office. Our friendly staff with over 55 years combined travel experience look forward to providing you with excellent value for your travel dollar" aet) Doug Ellison, President From Left to Right: Tracy Spain - 16 years, Helen Graf - 9 years Laura Wilder. Manager - 15 years. Julie Stratton - 16 years PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2001. Theatre review Gory battle scene greets 'Henry V' audience A moment Graham Abbey as King Henry V, Sara Topham as Princess Katherine and Domini Blythe as Alice perform in the Avon Theatre's production of Henry V. (Courtesy photo) By Ashley Gropp Special to The Citizen Upon entering the Avon Theatre in Stratford to attend a performance of Shakespeare's Henry V, audience members are immediately exposed to a gory battle scene, one where modern theatre collides with the Elizabethan age. This conflicting imagery often adds interest in this production of Shakespeare's hiori- cal play. The story of Henry V is • one of heroics, betrayal and success against the odds. Newly crowned king, Henry is presented with evidence by the Archbishop of Canterbury that some French territories should right- fully be English land and the promise of support if Henry fights to reclaim them. Henry and the English army invade France, leading to a seeming- ly hopeless battle against a . much superior French army. - The Chorus, played by Seana McKenna, opens this play in Shakespeare's dialogue, asking the audience for forgiveness, and plead- ing with them to use their imagina- tions. No apologies are necessary, for Stratford Festival and Director Jeannette Lambermont have done a great job of mounting this production and helping the audience to translate Elizabethan English through various methods. Choices such as having a chorus consisting only of one person, and the use of the screen during bat- tle scenes were very smart decisions made, as they helped bring the play to The acting plays.a large role in the success of any play. Here, several actors give outstanding performanc- es, their voices clear and concise. Particularly. noteworthy performanc- es are those cif McKenna, Paul Dunn (as the Boy) and Graham Abbey ,(who played the title character). Abbey displayed a complex ver- sion of the young king, showing not only his heroic side, but also his weaknesses. He commanded the stage, seeming, at least, very com- fortable in the role of King. Dunn proved that age does not relate to courage, as he shows a much more mature and courageous side than his masters. McKenna's voice added much interest in what could have been made dry Shakespearean dialogue. A screen projecting different images creates the backdrop for the stage. It enhances meaning to the audience, and helps create a very dis- mal mood. Although its presence is very much a part of the production, it never seems to take away from the scenes, only add to them. Like the screen, each piece of the stage is used in powerful and interesting ways, often showing an inner strug- gle in itself between the worlds of today and the world of King Henry V. Running until Nov. 4, Henry V is a powerful production and worthwhile for anyone interested in Shakespeare, history, or an evening of good theatre. Agnes McBurney will be celebrating her 90th birthday at the home of Jean and Ron McBurney on Sunday afternoon, August 26, 2001. Relatives, neighbours and friends are invited to come and celebrate this special occasion. Bring a smile and stay awhile. Best wishes only please. Renowned film and stage star Christopher Plummer has agreed to play King Lear during Stratford's 50th season in 2002 in a production directed by noted British director Jonathan Miller. "Christopher Plummer essaying the role of King Lear for the first time would be an event anywhere in the world but it is especially fitting that he is going to perform here at the Stratford Festival, in its historic 50th season," said Artistic Director Richard Monette. Plummer, a member of the Festival's board of governors, last appeared at the Stratford Festival in 1996 as John Barrymore in Barrymore, which went on in 1997 to Broadway, where Plummer won his second Tony Award for the role as well as his third Drama Desk Award and his second Outer Critics' Circle Award for Best Actor of the Year. "I have to be there for the 50th year," Plummer said. "Stratford was . a part of my professional youth and 'has remained, to this day, a part of my heart." A veteran actor of international renown who has made more than 80 motion pictures, he was a leading member of Great Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and, in its forma- tive years, the Stratford Festival of Canada, where he first joined the company to play the title role in Henry V in 1956, the final year of the Festival tent. He also played the title role in Hamlet in the inaugural prtrduction, of the permanent Festival theatre in 1957. His last major Shakespearean role on the Stratford stage was Mark Antony opposite Zoe Caldwell as Cleopatra in the 1967 production of Antony and Cleopatra. "Christopher is one of Stratford's most illustrious alumni, one of its earliest stars, and currently a board member," Monette said. "I' m thrilled that he's returning to do one of Shakespeare's master works." King Lear will run from August to November at the 1,800-seat Festival Theatre. ...to keep halogen and regular light bulbs away from anything that can burn. Place them where children and pets can't knock them over. MARsitf<, Plummer to play King Lear 11 pie . flavour Children at the Cornerstone Bible Fellowship's Vacation Bible School in Ethel play a spirited game of pass the apple around a circle. About 57 children attended daily, organizers said. (Mark Nonkes photo)