HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-30, Page 27Saturday, October 2nd
Friday Night's
HURON CTY. IDOL KARAOKE
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. PAGE 27.
Entertainment
Theatre review
Leisure
The laughs keep coming in Avon's 'Noises'
Eye catching
It was another problem with contacts for Brooke Ashton
(played by Sara Topham) in this scene from the Avon
Theatre production of Michael Frayn's Noises Off. (David Hou
GODERICH 524-7811
photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Absolutely perfect.
The Avon Theatre production of
Michael Frayn's brilliant Noises Off
has in incredible ensemble directed
confidently by Brian Bedford.
Noises Off follows an acting
company in Nothing On, a bedroom
farce similar to the popular British
Carry On series.
The first act is the rehearsal. It's
almost midnight. the play opens the
next day. and the actors are having
trouble with cues and lines. The
audience quickly becomes privy to
the insecurities, the weaknesses and
the little dramas behind each of the
actors.
It's all worth a good giggle or two.
In Act two, the show has been on
the road for awhile and those little
dramas are coming to the fore.
Suspected (and real) affairs bring
conflicts that threaten to unravel the
production.
The backstage battles escalate on
stage, with chaotic, and suggestive,
verve, while the actors say their lines
behind the set. The timing is dead on,
the staging flawless.
And the laughs are now many.
By Act three, Nothing On has
reached the end of its days. Its stars
could care less. As that play falls
apart. at times literally, during its
final performance. Noises Off really
has earned its belly laughs.
Frayn's script, which won him his
third Evening Standard Award, is
like a literary Picasso, where so
many odd pieces put together in just
the right way create a masterpiece.
Words spoken by the fictional actors
(luring the act two performance. lit
into the comic mayhem occuring
'backstage'.
Bedford had the challenge Of
directing two plays, the dreadful
Nothing On, and the story dealing
with the private lives of its actors. He
more than meets it.
As well the complicated piece
requires precision timing. Bedford
has said the play is demanding for
the actors. He has shown that with
confident direction, even daunting
tasks can be fun.
Like a well-mixed drink; the
ensemble cast is perfectly blended.
No one overpowers, no one is weak.
Seana McKenna is the aptly named
Dotty Otley (Mrs. Clackett). an
aging actor, who's having an affair
with the play's young leading man
the inarticulate Garry Lejeune,
played by Jean-Michel LeGal, who
plays Roger Tramplemain. Steve
Cumyn is the jaded director Lloyd
Dallas, who is simultaneously toying
with the affections of assistant stage
manager Poppy Norton-Taylor
(Sophie Goulet) and enjoying the
attentions of near-sighted and ditzy
siren Brooke Ashton (Sara Topham),
who plays Nothing's Vicki.
Steven Sutcliffe is the insecure
Frederick Fellowes, (Philip Brent)
while Chick Reid is the nurturing
Historical
Soc. meets
at Museum
On Wednesday evening, Sept. 22
the Huron County Historical Society
and the Baytield HiStorical Society
held a joint meeting in Goderich at
the Huron County Museum.
Debbie Bauer, president,
welcomed everyone. Philip
Gemeinhardt introduced the
speaker. Duncan Jewell. a Goderich
resident who spoke aboUt ship
building in the Goderich Harbour.
Early ship building was the theme
for the annual Marine Heritage_
Festival.
Jewell discussed the history of the
Marlton Shipyards at the Goderich
Harbour. In 1828 the first ship was
built in the Marlton ship yard on
Ship Island. During the years 1852-
1912 Marlton Shipbuilding built
approximately 70 vessels.
In 1962 Ship Island was removed
from the harbour.
Refreshments were served and
many toured the museum to see the
marine displays.
The next HCHS meeting will be
held on Oct, 29 at the Exeter Legion,
at 5:59 p.m. This is the annual
dinner meeting.
The topic is The Donnellys, Their
History And How Or If They
Affected The Border , Changes in
Huron County. This will he given by
speaker Sheila Hodgins. Tickets
must be reserved by Oct. 22.
I I
.1;14.JVIA.A.W.A1,11,141,1)
Wishing „
d itattft ilkddett
III rll at
Restview Retirement
Home, Clinton
:=7
a
III Nappv 86th
2ittficlav
on October 3
Intinfratar).nranfearairanstanIna'nleatatawatanfte
NNW1111111 MAW
Belinda Blair (his Nothing On wife
Flavia Brent).
Barry MacGregor plays the
tippling veteran actor Selsdon
Mowbray (Burglar) and Jacob James
as Tim Allgood is the downtrodden
stage manager.
Add their stellar performances to
confident direction and an amazing
script and Noises Off is proof that
when everything in theatre is done
well, it's a treat to see.
Noises Off runs at the Avon
Theatre until Oct. 30.
•
Oct.
01 - 07
Anew behoc&oironnu rule...
Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur 8:00
Mature Them.
Not Recommended for
Young Children
Disturbing Content
17.
III
The Brubachers of Ethel
A Neatauttant and 2alietv
REAL Home-cooked meals!
Come and try our cinnamon buns.
Mon. - Fri. 7:00 am 'til 6:30 pm;
Sat. 8:00 am - 6:30 pm; Sun. Closed
887-8659 in Ethel
Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur 8:00
Sat & Sun Mat. 2:00
DOE DOLBY
010ITAL
n
n
lip
% • •
• •
ma
•
:
n
Dance, Dance, Dance
Clogging and Step Dance
Registration
October 13th - 7-8
Demonstration Available
BMG Community Centre
Classes start October 20th for 8 weeks
..7.nattactat Xeafkia Xiediap
To register call 887-6621
DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!
Join the Huron County Cloggers
For the 2004/2005 Season
Registration & Shoe Exchange:
September 30 - 7:00-8:00 p.m. @ SDCC
CLASSES BEGIN:
Monday, October 4 (Youth)
Tuesday, October 5 (Mixed)
For More Information Contact:
Karen Whyte @ 527-2439 or Sherry McCall @ 527-1307
www.movielinks.ca long distance?1-800-285-3438