HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-07-21, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2005. PAGE 23
Entertainment & Leisure
Theatre review
‘Powers and Gloria’ a ‘new play with legs’
At Blyth
Jerry Franken as Powers gets a little support from Sarah
Allen as Gloria in the Blyth Festival’s world premiere of
Powers and Gloria which opened July 13 and closes Aug.
1 3 (Blyth Theatre photo)
By Marion Duke
Listowel Banner
Publisher/editor/play wright Keith
Roulston deserves every accolade
that comes his way. And at the
official opening of his new play
Powers and Gloria at the Blyth
Festival on July 13, the applause was
instantaneous and the praise
heartfelt.
In his introduction of the play,
Blyth artistic director Eric Coates
paid tribute to Roulston's dedication
to the Blyth Theatre for the past 31
Museum’s Show N’ Tell
weekend set for Aug. 13
Only a few slots remain open for
collector/exhibitors who want to
participate in the North Huron
District Museum’s Collectors’ Show
N’Tell weekend planned for Aug. 13
and 14.
Show chair David Onn said a wide
range of antiques and collectibles
assembled by area collectors will be
on display at the museum in the old
Wingham post office. Their owners
will be on hand to explain and
describe their collections. Admission
to the museum those two days will
be tree.
Exhibits now confirmed include
old toy trains, cameras, coins,
postcards, antique beer bottles, folk
art canes and frames and Wingham
area collectibles. Onn says there’s
still room for a few more
participants. The show organizers
years. Roulston was one of the
founders of the Blyth Festival, and
Coates said given Roulston’s
tremendous contribution, together
with his retiring nature, he was
tempted to say Powers & Gloria had
been written by Clark Kent.
With its mandate of producing
new Canadian plays, Blyth
sometimes gets burned. That wasn't
the case with Powers and Gloria.
The play isn’t perfect; the second
act gets wordy and is a bit too
preachy. But when it comes to
knowing small town characters, their
are especially interested in finding
collectors willing to participate who
are knowledgeable in old china and
pottery, quilts and hooked rugs.
For more information contact Jodi
Jerome at 357-1096.
beliefs, mannerisms, and vocal
expression. Roulston. who grew up
on a farm near Lucknow and is the
publisher ol I'lie Citizen (Blyth and
Brussels} and publisher/cdilor of
The Rural Voice, is spot on He
accurately portrays small town
Ontario with empathy and without
the least hint of sarcasm.
Powers and Gloria is the sixth
play by Roulston produced bv the
Blyth Festival and both the cast and
the creative team have done the play
proud. In his playwright’s notes.
Roulston credits Anne Chisleu toi
teaching him how to write for the
stage (the two co-authored Anotliei
Season's Promise}. The association
of Roulston and Chislett is one that
has paid huge dividends lor
Canadian theatre.
STORY
The story hinges upon the
relationship between a young, single
mom. homemaker (Gloria), and (he
town’s aging, leading citizen and
furniture factory owner (Powers). At
the beginning of the play. Powers is
released from hospital following a
stroke, and Gloria is the only
homemaker available.
The tw'o are like cheese and chalk.
A focal point of the play is Powers
growing respect for Gloria, and hers
for him. Both are outspoken and
stubborn.
Several stories run through
Powers and Gloria. There's Gloria’s
relationship with a charming, but
ne’re-do-well young man called
Darryl. There's Powers’ relationship
with his son James, who has taken
over the running of the factory; and
the story of what’s happening at the
factory with James's ideas of a
global economy. And front and
centre is the story of Powers trying
to regain the use of his legs, to get
out of "this damned wheelchair.”
Roulston effectively interweaves
the stories. The dialogue includes
the problems of a small town with its
past and future tied to one factory.
Director Randy Hughson handles it
all with a sure touch.
CAST
As the crotchety Powers. Jerry
Franken gives a powerhouse
performance. His efforts to walk on
his own, and his confrontations with
his Harvard Business School-
educated son hit home. This is
Frankens 15th season with Blyth
He seldom disappoints, and in
Powers and Gloria Roulston gives
him a charactei to challenge his
considerable talent
As the young, rambunctious
Gloria. Sarah Allen, who is new io
the Blyth Festival is impressive to
say the least. Iler portrayal ol a
young woman whose values arc
changing, is both diffident and bold,
and she has a knack for comic
liming. Allen doesn’t hit a false note.
As Gloria's boyfriend. Gil Garratt
another Blyth favourite - also
doubles as a butler - as does Adrian
Churchill as Powers' son James
Both actors are more than up to the
task of dual roles, and handle their
characters with ease.
Along with director Hughson, set
and costume designer Joanne Dcnle
sets a high bar. The set for Powers
and Gloria is one of the best I’ve
seen at Blyth - Powers’ impressive
office in his mansion.
Lighting is effectively done by
Rebecca Pichcrack.
As tor sound services, it is likely
many theatre-goers would have
liked to have had control of the
volume lor the classical and operatic
music. At times it
overpowering.
Powers and Gloria runs to
I f (iet over to Blyth to sec it.
is a new play with legs.
w as
BMG Recreation
presents
Family Roller
Skating Party
July 22 7 00-10:00
at the Brussels arena
Inline, or rentals will be j
available
Admission $2 00/person
or $5 00/family
Food Booth
and Bar will
be open
Bring your
favourite roller
boot'n songs
wav
x
fl)
- " " <Stappy. 40^
SLca-tt
You may be too old
to cut the mustard
we're sure you'll cut a
mean swath!
Enjoy, yean day.
£aue. JCenrbta,
BJtafie <£. Ja/tiiwi