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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-08-09, Page 9Close-up Play outperforms script BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor The Stratford Festival pro- duction of The Country Wife far outclasses the source material. William Wycherley's sex farce is misogynistic even by 17th century standards. More than a few theatre patrons must have walked out during the sinister diatribes against women. Perhaps Artistic Director Richard Monette felt the politi- cally ihcorrect dialogue of The Country Wife would stir up some publicity -garnering con- troversy. In the play, Mr. Pinchwife locks up his wife, wants her to remain ignorant and threatens to gouge her eyes out with a key. But it's all in good fun, the author would have us believe! If someone can look past the more offensive passages, there are some delightful scenes and some strong performances, combined with some breath- taking costumes and sets. Two of the Festival's brightest young actors, Scott Wentworth and Tom McCamus, make a silk purse out of •a sow's ear in this resto- ration comedy. Wentworth, as the paranoid and paternalistic husband Mr. Pinchwife, is a perfect counter- point to the free -wheeling characters who surround him. Pinchwife tries to keep his wife ignorant about the ways of the city but is no match for the conniving, arch -philanderer Mr. Horner. It is hard to imagine better casting than Tom McCamus as the sly, immoral Mr. Horner. He is so slippery he practically oozes from scene to scene. He is so vile it is almost hard to empathize with him during the farcical proceedings of the play. In fact, there is no one in the CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN PHOTO COUNTRY WIFE - Stephen Ouimette (back) entertained as Mr. Sparkish but Michelle Fisk and Benedict Campbell (foreground) lacked the necessary sizzle. play who is particularly like- able which I think is a weak- ness in a farce. The most likeable person is, Marion Day, as Mrs. Margery Pinchwife. At first she seems almost irritating in her overabundance of shrill sweet- ness. As the play goes on, however, she grows on the audience. Her projection of young innocence is delightful in the atmosphere of hypocrisy and infidelity which surrounds her. She is especially charming in a scene where she is dressed as a boy by her husband to prevent the fornicating Mr. Horner from seeing her. (The ruse is quite ineffective, as it turns out). Stephen Ouimette is quite effective as the spineless, flam- boyant Mr. Sparkish. The cos- tume alone is enough to make him a source of comic relief and target for ridicule. For people from a rural set- ting there are plenty of interest- ing observations about the perception of rural society versus urban society. The set and costumes add an excellent mix of pageantry and can't be criticized. Musical selections add spice to the mixture and make The Country Wife even more entertaining. There are very few weaknesses in the staging of this restoration comedy. One missed opportunity, however, was the lack of passion between Mr. Harcourt (played by Benedict Campbell) and Alithea (played by Michelle Fisk). The seduction of Alithea is played out too much in words and relying not enough on physical interplay. The play's resolution is a curious one. The moral of the story seems to be that infidelity is acceptable if the pretence of honour is maintained...or per- haps, distrusting your mate may lead to that infidelity which you fear most. At any rate, the play is cer- tainly not morally enriching. It is hard to enjoy this sex farce if screened through a moral filter. It is, at best, an evening of wicked humour in an unlib- erated setting. Certainly, it is a crowd favourite with many who have seen it. The Country Wife can be seen at the Festival Theatre in Stratford until October 28. Young company prepares legends M.J. Kang the author of Hee Hee Talcs from White Dia- mond Mountain has arrived in Blyth to begin working with the young company. Hee Hee Tales from White Diamond Mountain this year's Blyth Festival Young Company pro- duction presents Korean fairy tales and legends using music, story, mask and movement. A native of Korea Kang immigrated to Canada when she was two years old. In 1994 she made her first trip back and was struck with the differ- ences between the Korea she had remembered through•child- hood images and the reality of her homeland. The result of this journey was Hee Hee Tales from White Diamond Mountain. M.J. Kang won the Young People's Theatre, Word Play Competition for My Sister's Visit. She is a contributor with the Tarragon Theatre Play- wrights Unit and has done workshops at the Theatre Centre, Nightwood Theatre and Cahoots Theatre Projects in Toronto. This is Ms Kang's first visit to the Blyth Festival. She is very impressed with the beauty and peacefulness of the coun- tryside, and the size of the mosquitoes. • Hee Hee tales from White Diamond Mountain will be directed by James Simon. Mr. Simon has worked with young people in Edmonton and Toronto. He was responsible for the development of the teen playwriting competition at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre. Masks for Hee Hee Tales from White Diamond Mountain will be created by the members of the Blyth Festival Young Company under the direction of Vrenia Ivonoffski. Ms Invonoffski is a well known Toronto Mask Maker who has taught at both George Brown College Theatre School and Ryerson Theatre School. Hee Hee Tales from White Diamond Mountain runs from August 15 through 19 at The Garage Theatre in Blyth. For more information please con- tact the Blyth Festival Box Office at (519) 523-4345. Manor residents enjoy picnics The warm temperatures of summer made it perfect for the residents of Maplewood Manor to enjoy a picnic or two. Residents were off on the bus to Exeter where they enjoyed a picnic at the home of Mrs Lois Learn. The view from her yard was spectacular. After a lei- surely stroll through the park, everyone headed to McDonald's for ice cream. Thanks to Lois for a great afternoon. The scorching temperatures of July prompted us to have an ice cream parlour. The sundaes were complete with favourite toppings_ What a way to cool off! Hot dogs and hamburgs were sizzling on the barbecue this month. Everyone agreed that }114aplewood Manor everything seems to taste better when cooked in the great out- doors. Since outdoors was the place to be residents took to the road and were off to St. Christopher's Beach in Goderich. After lunch, they took a tour through the streets where they saw the damage of the wind storm. Thanks to Joyce and Ross Ribey for the use of their van. Residents were thrilled to have four members of the Harmony Hi-Lites perform for them. The voices of the quar- tet, which included Audrey McLlwain, Katie Teall, Deb Campbell and Margaret Whitmore, were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Residents also attended the Dining Out program which is sponsored by the Town and Country Homemakers. They enjoyed a delicious meal and interesting program that fol- lowed. A great day! Along with the regular week- ly activities, residents tried their hand at a very competi- tive game of crockinole. At times, the buttons seemed to take wings! Everyone is wel- come to come and join the fun. Hope you are having a great summer. Director to thank students Students at St. James School in Scaforth arc to be congratulated by Director of Education Dr. James Brown for participating in the Kiwanis Festival and Stratford and District Right to Life. At its tnost recent meeting, the Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic Separate School Board also decided the barn and house at 30 Victoria Street in Seaforth, next to the St. James' manse,"will be removed during the summer." On the request of the prin- cipal of St. James, the textbook "Practicing Your Spelling", was approved by the Board for Grades 2 through 6. A The Board has also made staffing adjustments in preparation for the next school year. Jeanneue Groenstege, Sheri Lyn Kelly, Catharine Buchanan, Lori Lynn Stapleton, Tracy Klaver, Kris- ten Schefter and Craig Campbell were given probationary contracts. Steve Lane and Karyn Col- lins had their probationary contracts increased, and Gerry Thuss became permanent, from Cherprobationary. n St. Onge, Col- leen McGregor and Trina Sweet were hired as teacher's assistants. Jim Gaylor and Barbara Bauer -Mason were appointed to three-year_ terms as lt resignation of Uylond Lynch was accepted, as was the request of Carolyn Wilson for temporary leave, from Jan. 30 to Aug. 31, 1996. Also approved was a deferred salary -leave plan for Nancy Hobbes from Sept. 1 td March 14, 1996. • The 1995-96 collective agreement between the Board and occasional teachers was approved. TIM HURON EXPOSITOR, Abut f, less -a SERVICE _IAT COUNTER Starting 10 am Sunday, August 20th, we at Zehrs Food Plus, will be providing our customers with the convenience of a one-stop shop. A service meat counter will be awaitingyou. CUSTOM CUTS OF THE FINEST QUALITY MEAT AT NO EXTRA CHARGE! • Visit our Service Meat Counter for custom cuts of lamb, veal, beef and turkey • Marinated cuts of chicken and pork also available • Stuffed chicken or pork available H . #8 Cixierich