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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-07-26, Page 13Hutt charms his audience again ., BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor Those who consider Merry Wives of Windsor one of Shakespeare's less important plays should see the current production at the Stratford Festival: They will find •a light farce which is rich with endearing characters and full of vibrant humour. The star of Meiry Wives, and star is no clichd when applied to this actor, is William Huu. As Sir John Falstaff, Hutt is a true treasure. Who but . Hutt could create sympathy for such a scoundrel as Sir John and convey dignity to the conniving old Knight? The applause started as soon as Hutt graced the stage and it was followed at the end of the _performance by a standing ovation. The Merry Wives of Windsor is set in a `Victorian' time period more conducive to Dickens than Shakespeare. I can't explain why the Stratford Festival insists on changing the Elizabethan set- tings of Shakespeare's plays to more contemporary times. This may once have been clevWand daring but is now, in my mind, trite. In a post -performance dis- cussion actress Chick Reid said Director Richard Monette felt the sexual farce worked even better 'in prudish `Victorian' times. It seems outlandish to expect that the actions of saucy Sir John Falstaff in Merry Wives would have been indulged in Victorian times. Regardless, even those purists who might argue with the setting will enjoy the rapid-fire exchanges of wit and well - executed farce. The only criticisms of Merry Wives are bits of nit-picking. For instance, one or two of the actors have lacklustre voices which pale in comparison to the performances of the leads. Hutt's tour de force as. Falstaff leaves one asking, where is the fine young talent which will be seen at the Festi- val in future years? Tim MacDonald is one of the actors whose performance would be more at home in a community theatre production than one of the top Shakespearean stages of the. world. Last year, in reviewing Othello, I had this to say about MacDonald: William Hutt ...amazing as uaual. "He runs around uncontrol- lably, turning his head and hollering as if a blood vessel is going to burst in his brain." MacDonald applies equal subtlety tohis role of Abraham Slender in Merry Wives. The most entertaining per- formances -in :this Shakespearean comedy come from old veterans like Hutt and Barry MacGregor and Barbara Bryne as an endearing Mistress Quickly. One of the bright lights among the young talent was Tom McCamus as Frank Ford. Unlike MacDonald, McCamus knew when to be understated and when to be more intense in his portrayal of the paranoid, anally -retentive Ford. The Merry Wives of Windsor is a triumph of pace and comic timing. Right from the start there was evidence of clever, light touches to this old farce. There are beautifully -chor- eographed bits of slapstick and physical humour to keep the production humming along. One of the nice touches to Merry Wives was when the audience was greeted by cast members, in• full costurne, singing songs outside the the- atre prior to the show's begin- ning. The July 13 performance was attended by former Canadian prime minister John Napier Turner. The Merry Wives of Windsor runs from May 8 to October 29 at the Festival Theatre in Stratford. New Ted Johns' play spoofs local govemment BY BLAKE PATTERSON Advocate Staff . He doesn't mention any names, but Mitchell native Ted Johns says his new play Jake's Place is a thank -you and a "Howdy -do" to Mitchell for giving him some small town per- spective. And without taking any shots at Mayor Hugh McCaughey or town council (remember, no names are men- tioned), he said he hopes the Mitchell people who attend the play in Blyth will find his spoof on small town governm ii just close enough to the truth to be interesting and funny. As described in the playbill, Jake's Place is set in a small hamlet in Huron County and is about how one man's battle to get a driveway to his ram- shackle house on the edge of town leads him into the "conun- drum of town politics." It is an acclaimed town council because nobody else wanted to run for office, and when Jake is appointed o replace a coup; cillor ruined by the stresses of -serving on the dog committee, he learns important political axtgms such "always carry a manila envelope when in public," "never consult withLany- body" and "always blame the previous administration." And as the newest member of council, Jake adds to the non- sense. Johns describes him as a smart and stupid "marginal" man who is "grasshopper brained" (tends to forget things), T'/ Johns Recreation Preview Senior shuffleboard continues Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 p.m. All seniors are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship. Last week's winners were: Ladies: I. Scoins 363 M. McMillan 353 Men: B. McLean 268 K. Lingelbach 233 Seaforth Minor Sports Council bingo continues Monday evenings at the Seaforth and District Community Centres. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the first game beginning an hour later. The next doubles bingo will be held on Monday, August 7. Come out and enjoy an evening of excellent bingo. The first regular season of the Seaforth Youth Roller' Hockey League ended last week. Playoffs begin Thursday. See "Scoreboard" for schedule. Piano results The following students of Ms Carol Carter (A.R.C.T., A MUS, R.M.T.) were successful in their piano examinations held recently in Stratford. Grade 6: Shannon Austin, Danielle Kismer (Honors), Jessica Burgess (Honors). Grade 8: Erin Nicholson (Honors), Debbie Vanden Henget (Honors). cannot read or write, stands too close to you when he talks, and is willing to "dull mental torture by resorting to alcohol." Like any politician, "I gave him a wagon load of problems," he said. In an recent interview, Johns called Jake's Place "a little summer cocktail" which is meant to be a ridiculous light com- edy which pokes fun at the foibles of how politicians think and work. "It's a little highball for the back porch," he said. Reading a part in the play, the former actor/director turned playwright, danced and laughed his way through samples of the play with the animation of a child telling a first joke. But this was certainly not Johns' first attempt at humor. Last season, his play He Won't Come In From The Barn was Blyth's major hit comedy, and in some ways, rejuvenated the festival. In fact, the play was so well received that its back to play to audiences again this season. Jake's Place is now in rehearsal at the festival and Johns said it is everything he can do to keep his nose out of the ro- duction. He said he has told the play's director, Miles P ter, his ideas about how he intended the pia .) be interpret d, but he admits the play now has to be left to the director. He aid once rehearsals begin, "I'm just in the way." The play will open Wednesday, July 26 and will run until Saturday, Aug. 26. Although Johns now lives in Blyth and spends most of his yearrat his home in Toronto, he was born in Seaforth in 1942 and attended Mitchell District High School. His sister Beth Rose still lives in Mitchell,and he said he intends to be back in town next summer for the MDHS all -years reunion. THE BIG EVENT almost at hand by JEAN ROSS Take a peek at the calendar! Seaforth Homecoming '95 is just around the corner. Homecoming headquarters is moving to Stewart Bros. store this Saturday. August 1 is the last day to preregister, so if you haven't been in, better do it now. There may be some, who would rather remain nameless! The Seaforth Agricultural Society is going to have its "Roundhouse" open. This is the 150th Anniversary of the local society, so there will be memorabilia and memories there. If you are interested in being part of the craft and flea market, please make your reservation as soon as possible at homecoming headquarters. Maureen Agar tells us that you can scratch your name onto a plank at tl)e High School •Open Hous for a `loonie'. This plank will become a bench for the school called, "The Memory Lane Bench". There is fine entertainment planned for the weekend. The Gusd family will have a concert before the dance on Friday night in the local Legion parking lot. Also in the parking lot on Saturday there will be a Karaoke. Susan McAllister entertains at the curling club Friday night and Saturday, and there is a variety show of local talent at the community centre on the Saturday night. Another important part of Homecoming has been well taken care of too. Food! Along with our local 'eating spots', to get the days off to a good start, the 'Ag Society' is having a breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The Egmondville United Church is serving breakfast on Gouinlock St. on Saturday morning and the Van Egmond Society is having a Sunday breakfast at VanEgmond house. con Saturday night there is a beef BBQ at the community centre; and on Sunday at the fairgrounds there is a Shriner's fish fry, and a smoked pork chop dinner prepared by the +, Se i forth cr \, I i, trict •o1,1 co ing 6, 1995 , / Z1<<jl::c Northside United ladies/and Foresters at the community centre. The Ladies Auxiliary will be serving a roast beef dinner at the Legion, the same night. There will be fast food at the Legion on Friday night and Saturday. The curling club will have beef on a bun during the weekend and they invite you to bring the kids, there will be some hot dots available. The 'Ag Society' will have a food booth at its dance and on Sunday aftemoon. All these items are on the green schedule of events, but we have a human tendency not to read the 'duettions'! The Homecoming committee is most grateful to the Seaforth Sun prevails A successful mixed pairs tournament was held at the Seaforth Greens on Sunday. Although cloudy skies and rain made the tournament doubtful the sun prevailed and skies cleared. First prize went to Lionel Young and partner of Sauble Beach (with 3w+50). In second place were Glenn and Glennis Keene of Stratford (3w+42). Third place was Fred and Betty Tilley Seaforth (3w+38 op2). Close behind in 8th place were Art Finlayson and Brenda Empey (with 2w+40 op5). Tenth place went to Jack and Marie Muir (with 2w+38), and the consolation prize went to Neil • Beurman and lead __Dorothy McCluskie with 23 shote in their third game. Thirteen greens were in play and it was good to see one young bowler from Calgary, Scott Bewley, bowling with his gandmother Jean Bewley of Brussels. In out of town tournaments Prod and Betty Tilley took first A and District Youth groups, who will relieve some of the pressure on Homecoming Saturday. Due to the back-to- back programming at the community centre, the young people have come to our rescue and will be moving tables and chairs between events. God Bless the kids! We 'older' folk tend to be running low in energy there days. I seem to have lost track of the celebrities who Are going to be in the parade, so come out and see who they are on Sunday. The parade route is on the back of the events' schedule, starting south of the tracks, north along Main to Duke and the Fair grounds. To top off the parade there will be a Pipe Band Tattoo (competition) at • the fair grounds. Next week, I'll confirm the designated parking areas. Previously mentioned 'people movers' are still at the discussion stage. for bowlers prize on Saturday at Exeter mixed pairs. Last Wednesday five Seaforth teams bowled in the Newcombe Memorial Tournament. Brenda Empey and An Finlayson were three game winners while Tom Phillips and Carol Carter were two game winners. Wednesday, August 23 is the Lawn Bowling Clubs largest tournament of the year. As in past years members and assocjates will be asked for a donation of non-perishable grocery items to make up grocery boxes, as well as a prize for the tournament. The club is most grateful to all their members and associates for the response they have received in the past. Proceeds from this tournament help to maintain our greens and club house during the lawn bowling seascm Sincere sympathy goes out to Ken and Velma Preszcator on the deaths of two family members last week. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 20, 1916-13 SEAFORTH HOMECOMING '95 TRAVEL THE WORLD WINNER Beatrice Campbell RR1 Seaforth New England Cape Cod FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE BACHERT MACFARLANE Dan and Mary Bachert of RR #4, L Seaforth, Ont., and Don and Betty Mcafarlane of Glen Ewen, Sask, are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children Daniel Paul and Carolyn Rose. The wedding will take place in the will of the Lord, on Saturday, August 19, 1995 at 11:00 a.m. at Glen Ewen Gospel Hall, Glen Ewen, Sask.. SP RKY'S PLACE FAMILY DINING UNDAY, JULY 30" SPEC INCLUDES Soup Or Salad Bar Coffee or Tpa and Dessert 3 PIECE CHICKEN DINNER $650 90 Main St., Seaforth Van Egmond House Old Fashioned Homecoming Breast Aug. 6, 1995 8 a.m. -1 p.m. Adults $5.00 Children (11 & under) $2.50 Preschoolers FREE Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Pancakes, Toast, Home Fried Potatoes Mullins & Jam Coffee, Juice Music LIVE BAND a 11 k i ll FAMILY IN CONCERT VISA / MASTERCARD Phone Orders: 1-800-465-7829 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 - 8 p.m. BLYTH ARENA Tickets: $29.50 ADVANCE $32.00 At the Door Advance Available at: Blyth Legion, Br. 420 • Blyth Decorating, Blyth Goderich Entertainer • Robin Hood Tours - Goderich Ernie King's Music Limited - Wingham • Reddi Chef - Clinton •" PRODUCED IN CO OPERATION Mit IF "LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY '•^ GO HORSE RACING • NTARIO IBES STAKES 3•YEAR•OLD COLT PACERS Watch Ontario's finest 3 -year-old colt pacers battle for over $40,000. and stay for our fabulous Beef BBQ Sunday, July 30 Also This Sunday THOROUGHBRED SIMULCAST Watch Live Thoroughbred Action from Fort Erie & Woodbine Raceways POST TIME 1 P.M. Post Time 1:30 We've got something for everyone. 0 Supervised Swimming L) Picnic Areata Children's Plyaground M Live and simulcast racing 0 Special Events and Barbecues CLINTON RAC!WAY Clinton Community Centre -• Beach St. 482-7729 0