HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-09-01, Page 31THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. PAGE 31.
Entertainment Leisure
Theatre review
Avon’s production of ‘Angels’ is divine
Divine time
Clockwise from front left: Lucy Peacock as Jane Banbury, Keith Dinico as Frederick Sterroli,
David Kirby as William Banbury, Seana McKenna as Julia Sterroli and Nigel Hamer as Maurice
Duclos in Noel Coward’s hilarious Fallen Angels, on stage at Stratford’s Avon Theatre.\(DavidHou
photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Well that was fun.
Stratford’s Avon Theatre
production of Noel Coward’s Fallen
Angels is divine. Sophisticated and
raunchy it’s worth giggles galore.
Old friends Julia and Jane have
learned that the man with whom they
both had a passionate love affair 12
years before was in London. Now
‘comfortably’ married, one to man
who feels passion is “over rated”,
the memories of Maurice Duclos,
and the letter announcing his
intention to re-unite have the pair in
a panic.
It’s easy to see how Coward’s
play, which most impressively was
written when he was in his early 20s,
could illicit outrage when it first
played in 1925. Its farcical approach
to such topics as infidelity and pre
marital sex prompted crie of
“disgusting” and “obscene”.
But with today’s loosened moral
strings watching two women glaze
over at the mention of their grand
passion, or become pleasantly tipsy
is. as I’ve said before all in good fun.
Director Brian Bedford personally
knew Coward, and has appeared in
many of his plays. He seems to
know exactly what Coward would
expected with every element of the
production. The set is elegant, the
humour razor sharp. While helping
to develop the characters, it is clear
he sees the importance in letting the
actors bring their own style to the
roles.
The cast he is working with is
more than up to the challenge. Joyce
Campion is the seasoned “new
treasure” of a maid in the Sterroli
house, a woman whose knowledge
and worldliness surpasses that of her
employers. In deadpan style she
dishes out wisdom on everything
from curing a hangover to the
intricacies of music.
Keith Dinicol and David Kirby as
Fred Sterroli and Willy Banbury
respectively give new meaning to
stodgy. Both do dull.
Nigel Hamer oozes all the
necessary charisma in his short time
on stage as the dashing Maurice
Duclos, definitely swoon-worthy
next to the conservative
‘tweediness’ of Sterroli and
Banbury.
Lucy Peacock is a bright light of
giddiness and passion as the flighty
Jane Banbury.
And Seana McKenna proves yet
again with her portrayal of Julia
Sterroli that she is a remarkable
New season for Singers
This fall the Blyth Festival Singers
begin their 26th season. The more
than 45-voice choir is led by
professional director Robert
Blackwell of Goderich and
accompanist Sharon Johnston of
Goderich.
New singers are welcome to join
the choir for the 2005-2006 season
and rehearsals are held each
Wednesday night at the June Hill
Room, Blyth Festival.
The first performance on Dec. 4
will be in collaboration with the
Blyth Centre for the Arts to present a
celebration of A Canadian
Christmas. The concert will also
feature readings from the acting
company at the Blyth Festival,
performances by the Blyth Festival
Orchestra, and an exhibit by the
Blyth Festival Art Gallery.
On April 2, the choir will perform
at North Street United Church,
Goderich and explore the great
music of Mozart, Scarlatti and
Durufle with special guests,
Dominik Franken, viola and David
Murray, piano, of the musical duo,
Cow and Sow.
■
Box Office - 523-9300
“awe-inspiring ... fiercest fiddling you’ve ever seen”
Starring (l-r) Capucine Onn and Anne Lederman
Tickets $I7- $29.50 September 6-1 Oth
actor. She can get a laugh with the
slightest change of expression, timed
perfectly for best effect. Having
proven herself through 14 seasons
as a versatile actor capable of drama
or comedy, McKenna is most often a
pleasure to watch at work.
Designer Susan Benson’s
costumes give away a lot about the
characters, with the colourful Julia
and Jane’s wardrobes clearly
depicting the emerging flamboyance
of the 1920s, while their husbands
attire is dowdy and dull and
Maurice's smooth and debonair.
This Fallen Angels is girls having
fun. It’s sharp, witty and
sophisticated.
Fallen Angels plays at Stratford’s
Avon until Oct. 29.
The annual spring cabaret, May 27
at the Stanley Twp. Complex, Varna,
will delight audiences with the
memorable songs of Broadway
musicals. Guest vocalist is Lesley
Andrew, who has an extensive solo
performance career with many years
of experience at the Stratford
Festival, performing in The Mikado,
The Pirates of Penzance, Twelfth
Night, Cyrano deBergerac, Through
the Looking Glass, The Music Man
and Patience.
New choristers are welcome to
join the Blyth Festival singers. The
first rehearsal will be held on
Wednesday, Sept. 7 starting at 7:30
p.m. in the June Hill Room at the
Blyth Festival.
The Brubachers of Ethel
Restaurant & Bakery
Real Home Cooking
our Cinnamon Buns
Mon. - Fri. 7-6:30;
Sat. 8-6:30, Sunday Closed
887-8659
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Canadian Theatre ■
BLYTH
FESTIVAL