HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-08-23, Page 13Macbeth truly amazin
BY TIM CUMMING
Expositor Editor
The Stratford Festival pro-
duction of Macbeth - is a
reminder to the audience of
how great theatre can" be.
The Festival's brightest
young talent, Scott Wentworth,
is breathtaking as Macbeth.
Seana McKenna, as Lady
Macbeth, is riveting.
The lead actors are sur-
rounded by a cast which is
absolutely flawless.
Bernard Hopkins, as the
Porter, turns a bit role into one
of the finest character perform-
ances I have ever witnessed.
The three witches (Barbara
Bryne,, Marion Day and Rose
Graham) must . have walked
straight out of a nightmare onto
the Festival stage. Wayne Best
stirs the emotions as MacDuff.
The play opens with some
wonderful special effects as the
audience sees the eerie Weird
Sisters for the first time. The
dramatic opening and the won-
derful costumes also add to the
dramatic package.
The wonder of this produc-
tion is not special effects,
however.
The greatness of the' 1995
production was evident at the
August 18 performance. A
black -out originating from
Toronto left the Festival with-
out stage lighting or sound
effects. The orchestra lights
went on and stayed on...but the
actors didn't miss a beat.
One can tell the greatness of
the performance when the
actors can carry a play without
the benefit of stage lighting or
modern technology.
During the intermission Festi-
val
estival Artistic Director. Richard
Monette walked on stage to
•
CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN PHOTO
MACBETH COMES ALIVE -. Scott Wentworth creates a
memorable, vibrant Macbeth in the 1995 Stratford Festival
production. His performance is matched by Seana
McKenna's penetrating depiction of Lady Macbeth.
apologize for the black -out. He
also noted the audience had
seen Macbeth as Shakespeare's
audience would have seen it.
Monette didn't need to apolo-
gize. It was a privilege to see
Macbeth performed as it should
be, with the emphasis on the
acting.
Director Marti Maraden
deserves much praise for this
powerful production which
breathes life into the words of
Shakespeare.
Johns takesswipe at politics
BY TIM .CUMMING •
Expositor Editor
Jake's Place, the new ` play
by Seaforth-born Ted Johns, is
a ; witty look at small-town
politics.
Some of the funniest
moments occur when a young
township Reeve, George
Ranford (played by Eric
Coates) is given advice by the
worldly Bert McGee, played
perfectly by Jerry Franken.
The charm of the play is not
in its shots at municipal gov-
ernment, however, but in the
truly original and endearing
character Jake Palmer. Michael
Healey : carries the show' with
his comic yet heartwarming
performance as Jake.
Local politicians might be
somewhat indignant at some of
the shots they take in Johns'
play. This reviewer disagrees
with Johns' portrayal of politi-
cians as self-serving and hypo-
critical but Franken is hilarious
as the stereotypical politician
who only pretends to listen to
his constituents and carries a
manila envelope to look offi-
cial.
There are some problems
with flow in this new play and
the comedy Zags in spots. Sub -
TED JOHNS
...Seaforth-bom
playwright
plots and multiple sets weigh
down this production and inter-
rupt the pace.
The play misses some golden
opportunities to tug at the heart
strings. Johns' play hints at. a
romance between characters
Bill and Marian but doesn't do
anything to develop it.
The character of Deirdre
Munsinger begins to probe into
the hurt felt by Jake
Palmer...but as soon as the
audience begins to feel Jake's
'pain the play moves on.
The end of the play rings
false. It seems like an artificial
attempt to tic up some loose
ends in a hurry.
The playwright would be
better to concentrate on the
characters with greater poten-
tial like Jake, Deirdre and Bert
McGee.
Lawyer Bill Hextall and
journalist Marian Palmer are
two-dimensional and detract
from the play. For instance,
Marian plays Jake's daughter
yet there is scarcely one scene
whereshe seems more inter-
ested in her father than in
political issues. Her character
could be written out of the play
and not be missed.
Ted Johns has created a truly
original character in Jake
Palmer. He sometimes makes
the mistake of injecting too
much political discourse in a
piece of writing which could
have as much to say about
people as politics.
For an original play the piece
holds much promise and some
clever comments about the
Local political scene. It is cer-
tainly an entertaining evening
of theatre.
Jake's Place only runs until
August . 26 so catch it now.
There is an 8:30 p.m. perform-
ance on Wednesday, August 23
(tonight), a 2:00 p.m. perform-
ance on August 24 and an 8:30
closing performance on Thurs-
day, August 24.
Ted Johns' perennial favour-
ite comedy, He won't come in
from the barn, will run at the
Blyth Festival from August 29
to Sept. 16.
Mitchell Entertainment and Dance Studio
Classes in
*JAZZ * TAP 'SHIP -HOP
ACRO -GYMNASTICS
Director -• Ann Holtz ♦ Formerly from Ottawa, over 30 years of expe-
rience in the Dance field ♦ Teacher, Choreographer, and Adjudicator
• Choreographer for the past 9 years of the CFL Ottawa Rough Rider
Sun Girls Dance Squad
♦ Courses for girls and boys ages 6 and up
• Fun lessons for "Teens"
• Beginners to Advanced
REGISTRATION:
Wed., Aug. 23 5 - 8 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 5 5 - 8 p.m.
Mitchell Public School Gym
Reasonable fees.... Special family
rates.
STUDIO OPENS SEPTEMBER 13
For Information Phone 348-4093
Correction
A photo in the August 9
edition of The Huron Exposi-
tor showed the Carry on
Cloggers of Varna, not the
Cavan Cloggers as reported.
The Huron Expositor
regrets the error.
MS Society
sponsors event
The Multiple Sclerosis
Society is again going to host a
fantastic array of cycling
adventures throughout Ontario;
these one and two day tours
are for both recreational and
experienced cyclists.
Following an incredibly first
year success, this one day tour
offers a variety of fun. The
picturesque 60 kilometre route
is, easy to complete in time to
enjoy your complimentary, full
feature pass to Paramount
Canada's Wonderland, enjoy
some great cycling exercise as
well as the magic of Canada's
premiere theme park. This tour
is selling out fast. To register
or volunteer, call (416) 922-
6600 or toll free at 1 800 268-
7582.
NW
■
Happy 60th Birthday
(Aug 23rd)
DAD/GRAMPA
(John Cairns)
■
\Ple' Your Family
■
The family of
IRENE KISTNER
invites you to an
OPEN
HOUSE
to celebrate her
80th Birthday
on
Sunday, August 27, 1995
from 1 pm to 4 pm
at her home in
Brodhagen
Best Wishes Only
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Asst 23, 1106-13
FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE
Bill & Judy Glassford
along with Bill and
Sibyl Henderson and
the memory of Ken
Miller would like to
announce the upcoming
marriage of
Tonya Glassford
and
Jeremy Miller
The wedding is to take
place Sat. Sept.16/95
at the bride's parents'
home
C At- END - . 'o
WEE LERS SLOW'PITCH
TOURNAMENT
BEER TENT AT LIONS PARK
DANCE SATURDAY NIGHT
AT LIONS PORK 9Pm'1 AM
;. d' tel• o
STARTING
SEPT. 8TH
Rands Return
Fridays &
Saturdays
527-0980
COMMERCIAL HOTEL.
BLOOD
DONOR
CLINIC
a,
Seaforth
Community
Centre
Thurs. Aug. 24
from 5 till 8:30 p.m.
GOOERICH 524 1811
"BABE' Is THE RocicY OF
AIL PIGS."
-Ir t..,.... PILIVIII CNANIRL
FRL•THURS.
AUG. 25-31
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7 pm
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LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800.265.3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO
YO GROUP
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Thurs.. . 24
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Youth Gt'aw
860 Party - Lions Park
Swimming: 4.5
BBQ to follow
Youth bring Your own pop/Juice
All 'outh age 13.18 wekomell
Any questions call
Kathleen 527-7108
MITCHELL FAIR
SEPT.1,2&3
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
10 am Grounds open to public.
Arena and Crystal Palace
open. 4-H Achievement
Day. Educational display
in Arena.
11 am Heavy Horse Show
7:30 pm Perth County Jr.
Farmers' Square
Dancers Entertain
Rock Concert
8 pm Queen of the Fair
Competition
9 pm Official Opening of
1995 Fair
9:30 pm Band Concert -
Mitchell Legion Band
10:30 pm Crowning.ot the
1995 Queen of the Fair
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
10 am Grounds open to public.
Arena & Crystal Palace
open.
12:00 Parade, led by the
Mitchell Legion Band
During the
Afternoon Pony and Light Horse
Show at Grandstand,
Dairy, Beef and Swine
Judging at Livestock
Barns. Sheaf Making, Step
Dancing in Arena,
Horse Shoe Pitching,
Antique Machinery Show
& Demonstration, New
Machinery Display
8 pm 'THE CARLTON SHOW
BAND' in arena (included
in Gate Admission)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
1 pin Pet Show, Pedal Pull
(Registration at1:15),
Horse Shoe Pitching,
Parade of Power.
2 pm Horse Pull (Invitational)
Light and Heavy
4:304:30 Pork Chop BBQ in
Community Centre
8 pm - Church Service by
Perth County Junior
Farmers in
Coritmundy Centre."
EVERYDAY,
Frl. Sat. & Sun.
Crystal Palace - Homeaaft Exhibits &
Women's Institute Displays.
Arena - Commercial Exhibits, School
Exhibits, Junior Fair, Homemaking
Clubs, 4-H Exhibits, Interesting
Displays & demonstrations. See the
Animal Families In "Down -on -the -
Farm'. Campbell's Amusements
Midway in operation at all times.
- ADMISSIONS, (GST Incl.) -
Friday • Adults $4.00, 12 & under
$1.00, pre-school free
Saturday • Adults $8.00, 12 & under
51.00, pre-school free
Sunday • Adults $4.00, 12 & under
$1.00, pre-school free
Cars • Anytime $2.00
Motorhomes - $5.00 per day PLUS
gate admission as above
Passports • (Adutts)(admission all
three days) $10.00, available at all
Mitchell Banks until closing time Friday
Sept..1st & at Crystal Palace Gate,
Friday unlit closing time.
School Complimentary Tickets: Good
for ONE ADMISSION, Friday, Saturday
or Sunday
FUN FOR ALL AT
'THE BIGGEST UTTLE FAIR
IN ONTARIO'
START PLANNING
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NEW BROCHURES ARRIVING DAILY
•Florida flights for January -Detroit departures -
$99.00 US plus tax - specific dates and destinations
•Long -Stays on the French Riviera N
Includes return airfare and 4 weeks accommodation in a studio
apartment. As low as $998.00 plus tax
*Seat Sales for travel within Canada is on now.
Travel Saturday and return Monday or Tuesday.
Toronto/Vancouver - $269.00 plus tax
Toronto/Calgary or Edmonton - $219.00 plus tax
Toronto/Halifax - $169.00 plus tax
Call or
see• us
For
details.
Tours and Travel Ltd.
94 Ontario Street, Mitchell
Phone 348-8492