The Citizen, 2002-07-10, Page 23Getting to know you
Despite herself, Bobbie (Caroline Gillis) warms to her illegitimate brother, Cecil (John Jarvis)
in this scene from Goodbye Piccadilly, which officially opened the 28th Blyth Festival summer
theatre season, Friday night. (Terry Manzo photo)
4,,e, Community
4" Living In support of
people with an intellectual disability
`Filthy Rich' second offering
in Blyth's 28th theatre season
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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2002. PAGE 23.
Entertainment
Theatre review
Leisure
`Piccadilly' gets Blyth off to great start
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Life is not always as it seems.
Writer Douglas Bowie's Goodbye
Piccadilly is a witty reminder of this,
delivered with panache by a talented
cast and director for Blyth Festival.
Piccadilly, which opened the
Festival's 28th summer theatre sea-
son, Friday, was workshopped in
Blyth and had its premiere this past
May at Thousand Islands Playhouse
in Gananoque.
Bess and Brick Brickley have
enjoyed a long and happy marriage.
Brick is a pillar of the community, a
former mayor, avid volunteer and
A cynical private eye named
Tyrone Power, who is more reminis-
cent of Humphry Bogart; a pin-
stripe clad gangster who'd put Legs
Diamond to shame; a beleaguered
honest cop in the requisite trench
coat; an eager wannabe detective; a
pair of wickedly seductive sisters
and a couple of goldfish make up the
cast of 'George Walker's mystery
Filthy Rich.
There's wit, romance and plenty
of action in Walker's salute to the
film noir style of the great detective
movies of the thirties and fifties. The
dramatic style, set, costumes and
contributor, supported with 100 per
cent enthusiasm by his soul mate and
partner.
As owners of a bed and breakfast,
they have shared most of their lives
together, with the exception of a
week in November when Bess
enjoys a yoga retreat in Vermont and
Brick goes canoeing in Algonquin
Park.
The story begins with Bess on the
phone telling a friend that Brick, off
on his trip, is to be awarded the
Order of Canada. During this con-
versation a second call comes in to
inform her that her husband died
suddenly in England.
What comes to light after this curi-
lighting effects evoke such all-time
favourite films as The Big Sleep, The
Maltese Falcon and of course,
Casablanca.
Filthy Rich is a true Canadian
classic, and has been one of my
favourite plays since I first saw it in
1979," says Artistic Director Anne
Chislett. "My mission has been to
bring the work of Canada's best
writers to our stage, and George F.
Walker is one of the very, very best.
I look forward to sharing his unique
imagination with Blyth's audience."
Filthy Rich stars Layne Coleman,
Jerry Franken, Tracey Ferencz,
ous turn, sets up a comic drama
where past and present stir up a
future never imagined.
Directed skillfully by Diana
Belshaw, Piccadilly takes human
weakness and bolsters it with
humour. Life can deliver its blows,
we are reminded, but sometimes you
just have to laugh.
Belshaw helps to mould characters
who are real, whom, despite failings
and foibles we like and admire.
You feel for Bess, played with
warmth and a bit of the curmudgeon
by Festival favourite, Janet Amos.
(When the actor playing Bess in the
Gananoque run suddenly became ill,
Amos hustled down there to fill her
Randy Hughson, Jamie Robinson
and Birgitte Solem. This production
is directed by Linda Moore (The
Passion of Marcisse Mondoux,
Stolen Lives).
Musical score is by John Roby
and fight director is Reed Needles.
Filthy Rich opens July I I at the
Blyth Festival and closes Aug. 10.
Call 1-877-862-5984 to reserve
your tickets.
CAPITOL
KEII
TWIN CINEMA
SURROUND SOUND STEREO
LISTOWEL 291-3070
STARTS FRIDAY
CINEMA I 7 & 9 P.M. PG
MEN IN
BLACK 2
CINEMA 2 7 & 9 P. qt. AA
DIVINE SEGRETS
OF THE YA-YA'SIS-
TERHOOD
shoes for several perfomances.)
Amos has become so adept at
playing senior women, Bess almost
seems too old next to The other char-
acters. That aside, however, Amos
finds the very heart of this heroine,
showing both a frailty and a heels-
dug-in-strength, to present a com-
plex woman.
Caroline Gillis, as Bobbie, the
Brickleys' much-married daughter,
gives a relaxed performance, while
Elva Mai Hoover's gentle turn as
Kitty makes her -status as the other
woman less objectionable.
Bob Nasmith has some fun as
Brick's ghost, but the standout per-
formance, comes from John Jarvis as
Kitty's son. Uninhibited, Cecil is
portrayed by Jarvis as somewhat of
a man-child, whose sexual prefer-
ence is never really said, but is most
certainly suggested. While far from
downplaying the character's eccen-
tricities, Jarvis stops short of making
him a caricature, revealing a colour-
ful, but charming man.
Arthcom ing
Marriage
the forthcoming marriage
of their daughter
Kara Lee 3
to
Brian Charles 3 son of
Ray and Kathy McNichol
of Blyth t The wedding will take place on
July 13, 2002 at 6 pm at the
home of the bride's parents.
Open reception to follow at
Brussels, Morris & Grey
Community Centre
at 8 p.m.
The set design by Shawn Kerwin
is quirky, but effective, making eco-
nomical use of furnishings and
space.
Artistic Director Anne Chislett
should be congratulated for finding
yet another gem to share with audi-
ences here. Once again, Blyth
Festival has shown what it's all
about - helping to develop and create
quality Canadian theatre produc-
tions. Goodbye Piccadilly, which
runs until Aug. 9, should be another
addition to its growing list of success
stories.
WEDDINGS
Performed - your location or our
indoor or outdoor chapel
(non-denominational)
For brochure call:
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FAITHS PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER, 524-5724
CHRISTENINGS'
Forthcoming
Marriage
MASON - TELFORD
Glen and Trish Mason
would like to announce
the marriage of
their daughter
Dianne Callaway Marie
to
Aaron Mathew
son of
Bruce & Katherine Telford
on
Saturday, July 20, 2002
at 3:30 pm
at
The Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 140, Clinton, ON
Open. reception to follow
at 8:30 pm
Murray and Sandra Pepper of
Brussels
wish to announce
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