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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-06-14, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2000. PAGE 23. Entertainment Leisure Doon hosts July 1 heritage celebration Join the farmers and villagers at Doon Heritage Crossroads as they celebrate Canada’s birthday on Saturday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission will be free. In 1914 the country was only 47 years old, and the patriotic feeling was alive and well. Doon will recap­ ture the spirit on July 1 with a birth­ day party that will have all the tradi­ tional fun and entertainment from the turn of the century. Wagon rides, quilting demonstration, musical entertainment in the church, an after­ noon concert by the Grand River Brass, a fired up steam engine and a free draw for a picnic basket are all part of Doon’s Canada Day party. Bring your own picnic or purchase your lunch from the barbecue that will be set up for the day. The players Stratford Festival’s Hamlet, features Paul Gross, known from the popular television series Due South giving an impressive performance as the Danish prince. From left: Robert Hamilton as a Player, Paul Dunn as the Player Queen, Juan Chioran as the Player King, Brad Rudy as a Player, Paul Gross as Hamlet, Thom Marriott as a Player, Jerry Franken as Polonius, David Kirby as Guildenstern and Evan Buliung as Rosencrantz. Theatre review Grandpa Billie is 60 on June 19 Gross an impressive Hamlet By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the pin­ nacle by which actors measure their ability. Everyone, it seems, wants to play him. And no wonder. The role is possi­ bly one of the most demanding ever created. To do it capably is admirable, to do it well is inspiring. Shakespeare’s ode to darkness - of sorrow, spirit and soul - is given a masterful turn by Paul Gross in this year’s Stratford Festival production. Gross, late of television’s Due South, is a multi-dimensional Hamlet, peeling off the great Dane’s layers to reveal not just the tortured, grieving mad man, but a charmer of quick wit and even a streak of mis­ chievousness. He not only brings out Hamlet’s intense grief over his father’s death, his confusion and revulsion over his mother’s remar­ riage to his uncle, his rage at the fact that his father died at the hands of that uncle, but also conveys the type of man the prince may have been before we met him. It is a nuanced performance that offers a Hamlet, who despite descending into madness, has charm, an impish nature, and loyalty. However, by comparison the remaining cast seem rather bland. One noteable exception is long-time Blyth Festival favourite Jerry Franken in the role of Polonius. He is comic relief without taking it too far. To anyone who doesn’t know the story, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has been mourning the death of his father. His mother Gertrude hastily remarried her brother-in-law, Claudius, a factor that sits uncom­ fortably with her son. When the king’s ghost visits Hamlet, he tells him that he died at the hands of Claudius and asks that his death be avenged. Distraught, Hamlet is pulled towards madness by his grief and rage. As Claudius comes to suspect that Hamlet knows of his treachery, he enlists the help of Laertes, whose sister Ophelia took her life after Hamlet mistakenly killed her father. A rigged fencing match is to end Hamlet’s life, but it comes with trag­ ic consequences. Directed by Joseph Ziegler Hamlet's first act moves quickly with dialogue delivered in rapid-fire staccato rhythm. The second act slows and as the production nears the three-hour mark challenges the audi­ ence to stay with it. However, Gross’s performance gets you back before the climactic ending. Of Shakespeare’s prolific work, Hamlet may quite likely be the one of which most people are familiar. Even though they may not know it. Much of its language has been taken for our use. “Neither a borrower, nor a lender be. The woman doth protest too much, me thinks.” And everyone knows the question is “to be or not to be.” This connection was obvious at the Stratford performance as each time one of the quotable quotes was prof­ fered, a chuckle rippled through the audience. It became somewhat of an annoyance, however, as many times the quote was not meant to be funny. Stratford delivers a compelling Hamlet, primarily due to Gross’s performance. Luring him to the role was an inspired move. Theatregoers will attend to see the guy from Due South and should leave impressed. Car show at Doon On Sunday, June 25 the Central Region of the Historical Automobile Society of Canada will be holding its annual Invitational Car Show at Doon Heritage Crossroads from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over 100 antique cars, trucks, street rods, custom and classic auto­ mobiles dated 1980 and older are expected to be put on display by their proud owners. This popular car show attracts even the earliest of vehicles and is a wonderful way for car enthu siasts, both young and old, to experi­ ence the evolution of the automobile. cM’lr<V KEB TWIN CINEMA Sue# <£ ©ae | surround sound stereo-] M Atwood Lions Bingo every Thursday Doors open 6:30 p.m. Starts at 7:00 p.m. Grant "Gunner11 Jarvis & Cindy Hodgins LISTOWEL 291-3070 STARTS FRIDAY Jackpot $500. on 54 calls Pot of Gold $500. on 50 calls Loonie Bin Saturday, June 24th, 2000 Brussels Arena 9-1 D.J. - lunch provided Age of majority For tickets call 887-6893 or 887-6215 CINEMA 1 7 & 9:15 PM MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 TOM CRUISE AA CINEMA 2 7 & 9:15 PM TITAN A.E. ANIMATED Happy Birthday from the family CANADIAN DIABETF'. .OCIATION (iOhK. MMKYS coma Vmi cotM beat risk for<gabetes. 1-8OO-BANTING The family of Hans and Gerie den Dekker invites friends and neighbours to join us as we honour our parents 40th Wedding Anniversary Open house at their new home across from the den Dekker farm. Saturday, June 17, 2 to 5 p.m. Ada & Daryl Raymond of St. John, NB and Robert Madill of Londesborough are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children, Heidi Eva Hillier and Paul Gordon Madill on Saturday, June 24, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. in Londesborough Open reception to follow at Clinton arena from 9 p.m. to I a.m. PARK THEATRE WEEK FRI.-THURS JUNE 16-22 Get ready for the human race TITAN