HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-06-15, Page 23originated the role. But then again
one expects Feore to draw out every
facet of a character.
Funny thing also -- it's not
something you think about when
you think of Feore, but this guy can
sing too.
While this trio clearly took centre
stage, there were no slouches in this
production. Bruce Dow as Mr.
Bumble and Widow Convey Mary
Ellen Mahoney played their roles to
full effect. Blythe Wilson gave a
passionate performance as Nancy,
also displaying some. powerhouse
pipes along the way.
Brad Rudy was appropriately
hateful as Bill Sikes, even earning
himself some rousing boos during
curtain call.
Buck & Doe
for
Jeff' Josling
Shanann Dale
Saturday, June 17
Blyth Community Centre
Tickets: $5.00
Music by D.J
Lunch Provided
Age of Majority
9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
For tickets roll
523-4737 or 523-4282
ralniN ct FnruJ, 1,, fend
STAG AND DOE
for Melissa Snowden
& Kevin Scott
Saturday, June 17, 2006
9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Belgrave Arena
Music by D.J. - lunch Provided
Age of Majority Tickets S5 or S7 at Door
Phone Jodi for Tickets: 357-1236
Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur 8:00
KaNight0A •
''araOke
t
or
ieLYTNr\T I
, 422 Queen St., Blyth, ON
e-mail: blythinn@bellnet.ca
rrifi
101121w
IMMO* IN1114.111111111MMINIMIIIM
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS vs,/ ' °°IsAkT V--
NOY- V°C‘jk. goAmtv
2,i00201. late V10 0
,
v " VgiS
Local Band! Ready
to Rock the House!
Tel.: 519-523-9381 Fax: 519-523-9828
Fri & Sat
6:45 & 9:15
Sun - Thur 8:00 ,A"--
Sat & Sun Mat 2:00
025
raosws e
www.movielinks.ca long distance?1 800-265-3438
Kids eat FREE
THURSDAY NIGHTS
Wing Night
SATURDAY NIGHTS
Prime Rib Special
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 15. 2006. PAGE 23
Entertainment & Leisure
Theatre review
Feore a gentler Fagin in Stratford's 'Oliver'
Consider yourself at home
From left: CoIm Fecre as Fagin and Scott Beaudin as The Artful Dodger welcome Tyler Pearse
as Oliver to the gang. Oliver is playing at the Stratford Festival until the end of October. (David
Ho photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
While it may take a confident
performer to- hold their own on stage
with CoIm Feore, it takes an equally
strong actor to appear on stage with
children.
Stratford Festival's production of
Lionel Bart's musical Oliver, proves
either can be done.
Feore is remarkable as always in
the role of Fagin, yet that amazing
presence is in perfect balance with
his group of boys. Special
recognition has to be given, of
course, to Tyler Pearse as Oliver and
Scott Beaudin as the Artful Dodger.
Suffice it to -say that the future of
Stratford Festival is secure if the
r .-riV114
e...ngagement
Patty
for
J amie Mac2onald
& 5-tish Veteti
Saturday, June 1Th
Clinton Arena (upstairs)
-9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Tickets: $5.00 Advance
$6.00 At Door
Contact: Todd MacDonald 523-4942
Drew Allen 523-4958
Steve Kennedy 482-7534
Lunch Provided
Age of Majority
Music by D.J.
talent of these two is indicitive of
today's young actors.
Pearse.hasfhe face and voice of an
angel, yet is able to convey the right
mix of pride with endearing
innocence.
Beaudin has as much tun with the
role of the charming Dodger as the
part deserves. This reviewer just
couldn't help smiling every time the
youth was on stage. And if that kind
of charisma isn't enough, this kid
can sing and dance too,.
The last time Feore was at
Stratford in 2(X)2, he appeared in
My Fair Lady. From the dapper
Henry Higgins to the tattered.
avaricious Fagin proves yet again the
range of this actor. His Fagin is
gentler, than Ron Moody', scho
t'S•TV:::,;.:;,':•'!-' ..,, -.-,.,,.. :..:..,.,:.-
',..: uC & k: B k 2 oe • . r
for
Yanya _S'Itipp
and
. eta ig Willis
Saturday, June 17 is at Elma Memorial
,' . Community Centre - Atwood ..-:..
k".• 8:30 pm - 1 am /'
..,.! Music by DJ '..! Age of majority
)' $6 in advance, $8 at the door J,'•
:.t Lunch is provided .
.. For tickets call Mark i.
• 887-6009
':,=:';s,:-.. !s,: ,<S:.7-.1:.. NA: ,..:."..:4:-:.::?.:.:-:A.or
The theme at of the Festival this
year is family, and it plays uniquely
in Oliver. From the orphan in the
workhouse, to Fagin's hovel, to
finding his wealthy grandfather.
Oliver experiences familial
connections on a variety of levels.
Based on Charles Dickens' Oliver
Twist, the musical tells the story of a
young orphan raised in a dismal
Victorian workhouse. All he knows
of his parents is that his mother died
in childbirth. •
Oliver is sold to an undertaker by
the town beadle Mr. Bumble, after
daring to ask for more food. From
there he escapes and meets the hold
ArtfUl Dodger who introduces him
to Fagin and his gang of young
pickpockets. Feeling part of
something for the first time in his
young life, Oliver is ,drawn into the
pack. However, during his first foray
into crime, he is discovered by the
wealthy Mr. Brownlow who takes
him home to care for him.
Meanwhile Fagin worries that the
boy might let the authorities know
about their enterprise and tells his
cruel accomplice Bill Sikes. The
brute and his girlfriend, the gentle
Nancy, steal Oliver back.
Learning, however, that Brownlow
could be Oliver's grandfather, Nancy
boldly defies Sikes to try and give
Oliver his family.
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Directed and choreographed by
Donna Feore, Oliver moves swiftly
and uses the Festival's thrust stage to
his fullest advantage.
The set design by Santo Loquasto
takes you from the workhouse to a
drawing.room convincingly and with
minimal effort. The wood and steel
evoke the Victorian era well, •
The score has is a wonderful mix
of songs that includes the hauntingly
lovely Where Is "Love?, the ironic
and bittersweet It's A Fine Life,
some cheery fun. Consider Yourself'
At Home and ribald humour, Om-
Pah- Pah.
The Festival's musicals seem to
just keep getting better and better. It
might. however. he difficult to top
this one.
Oliver runs at the Stratford.
Festival until Oct. 29.