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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-07-22, Page 31Papers has just right pun4i Staring at a blank piece of paper is something nearly everyone can iden- tify with at some time or another, whether it be just a simple letter, a newspaper article, or the great Cana- dian novel. Allan Stratton's "Papers" now playing at Huron Country Playhouse II until July 25, deals with one writer's solution to just this problem. Charles Martin, played by Lee J. Campbell, has arrived at a small town universi- ty to take up the position of writer -in - residence. He hopes it will be the cure for five years of writer's block and impending alcoholism as the alternative. The stereotypical old maid pro- fessor of English, Myra Fitzpatrick who is publishing a disertation on the author Martin, was of course in- strumental in swaying the committee decision in favor of Martin's appointment. Thus the plot is set; the artistic creative nature, gone dry at this point, versus the intellectual who has long ago turned away from feelings. The heart versus the head. The in- stinctual man versus the formal ra- tional woman, and how the two interact. The plot has been done many times before and will no doubt be done again but when you put it with the genius of Canadian playwright Allan Stratton you have a dynamic, brilliant, fast pacel piece of contemporary theatre. On the surface it may appear that Stratton is poking a little fun at the AT PL-AYHOUSE -- Papers, a worm and witty comedy by Allan Strat- ton opens Playhouse II season beginning July 14 to July 25 at 8:30 p.m.; matinees Wednesdays, Thursdays 2:30 p.m. tight little world of acadamia but this only serves as the vehicle for a sen- sitive, comedic search through the emotions of today's uptight society. Through the use of witty, naturalistic, contemporary dialogue, Statton gives us three very human characters caught in the triangle of. love, self preservation and the realization of being. Director Lloy Couts, who teaches and directs at York University and Humber College in Toronto seems to have a special understanding of academic types. She has brought out the best in all three actors, giving us a believable trio of real people in- stead of a parody of insultingly shallow conventions usually used to express university professors. These are human characters, no matter where the meeting, and no one in the audience need worry about things being too intellectual. It is the brilliant dialogue of author Statton that rounds out each characterization, and Couts times every pun, every wise crack, every play on words with just the right amount of punch. Miriam Newhouse is nothing short of perfect for the part of Myra Fitz- patrick. She manages a most believable transition from the rigid unfeeling professor to the sensitive tender loving woman who can know her man by studying his soul through his writings. As Moira and Myrna, the Newhouse body language brings several layers of expression to the stage, in keeping with the sudden twists in the Stratton plot structure. Charles Martin as played by Lee J. Campbell is a tolerable alcoholic never allowed to get out of control. In some scenes Campbell appears un- comfortable while standing there listening to another's monologue but when his dramatic moments arrive, he displays a most cbii'N!)acing anger or earnest sensitivity. Phyllis Nowakowski as the bubbl- ing co-ed who adores her hero author because he understands her pain, is a credit to the Theatre Performance course at York University. In spite of this being her first professional stage apearance, she masters the Stratton language of "like where we're at to- day, eh" as if it were her own. Not an easy task. Her scene of near hysteria over a required essay for professor Fitzpatrick is powerfully moving, with comic overtones. The intimate cabaret seating in Playhouse II is an adequate and com- fortable atmosphere fo this comic - tender piece of theatre. The sets are simple with some insightful little touches like pamphlets of Hawaii to brighten the decor in a rooming house. Set and costume designer Kate Greenway who usually works as stage manager in the main theatre, wisely allows the actors and the authors words to dominate the stage without any obstructions. Between the two acts, appropriate recorded music is played and sung by Playhouse favorites Michael Mulrooney and Karen Skidmore. Pleasant as this is, it is totally redun- dant. Allan Stratton's brilliantly fun- ny script "Papers" needs no fleshing out around the edges. If singing along to the old familiar tunes, and tapping your toes to the beat is what you seek, then be sure to attend the Robbie Lane and the Deciples concert on July 26 or order your tickets to Brigadoon from the box office now. But if you want a delightfully dynamic, fantastically funny, criptically comic evening of theatre, Huron Country Playhouse brings you "Papers" until July 25 at Playhouse 11. y .ata'z''.:��;u`rb'�A;i$%L.:;:'�:v>',"::>.:::� Council also sets wage issue Reeve Harold Green, chairing the July 20 meeting of Grand Bend Coun- cil, moved immediately to deal with the matter of Harbour staff wages. The same proposal as had been made previously by the Harbour Commit- tee but defeated the July 6 council meeting, was put forward again by Harbour. This time there was no discussion. Councillors Snider, Southcott and Woodley voted for the harbour schedule while Lemon and Reeve Green voted against. The motion to GIFT FROM LIONESS — Representing the Grand Bend Lioness is San- dra Norris, right, secretary of the club, who through their fund rais- ing efforts were able to present a luggage cart to Sauble Court residents. To thunk the group were John Brock, (left), V.P. Tenants' Assoc.; Ivan Sharrow, manager; and Dan Messeroll, Tenants' Assoc. President. increase the wage for the Harbour- master for $6.00 to $7.00, and to in- crease the rate for returning staff from $5.00 per hour to $5.25 (first year remain the same at $5.00) passed in a recorded vote, 3-2. Otherwise the Harbour Committee minutes were passed with little com- ment. Council approved the motion concerning the. four-year discussion involving the lease with Peter Warner and the dock space at Whiskey Bridge. Warner will be advised that "if the lease dated January 28, 1987 is not accepted as originally presented, the lease will be considered ter- minated, payment for 1984-1987 in the amount of $1,650.00, plus interest, must be paid by July 31, 1987, and the docks must be removed by October 15, 1987, or the Village will assume ownership of the docks." A visitor to Grand Bend asked to have a parking -ticket cancelled, stating only two hours of parking to go to church had been spent on Queen St. Council voted not to revoke the ticket, not because of the time spent but because of the way the car was parked. If two wheels of the car re- main on the pavement instead of all four being onto the gravel shoulder, the car is deemed to be obstructing the roadway for other vehicular traf- fic. This is necessary, because so many of the streets in the village are very narrow, but is a little known parking infraction. Permission to hunt deer with bow and arrow at the village dump site in season was once again sought from council. Although they refused the re- quest last year, council decided to seek more information from the Pinery Park Conservationists. There is apparently an excess of deer in the Times -Advocate, July 22, 1987 Page 15A area and the county have given their approval. The Attorney General's office has been given permission from council to launch a hot air balloon from the main beach on August 8 for a three hour period. There will be no rides. The purpose is to bring to public i, awareness the A/G's campaign slogan "Arrive alive. If you drink, don't drive". . I Councillors Woodley and Snider resolved that six trees are to be planted on the Nader property by Ju- ly 31. This is part of the ongoing negotiations between the village and Joe Nader over his house boat dock- , ed to the east of the bridge. After just carrying out extensive repairs to the public washrooms, the ' village foreman reported that the sinks had once again been ripped off the wall and the facilities vandalized this passed weekend.. Councillor Southcott reported more complaints of noisy and drunken par- ties in Green Acres. The by-law of- ficer will be instructed to take action immediately. Councillor Woodley asked that some action and special patrolling be done along the beach where increas- ed numbers of dogs are being allow- ed to run loose. Owners can be charg- ed under the by-law. Reeve Green reported that the meeting with the board of directors of the Southcott Pines Park Association had been especially productive. The. Association were able to put forth their concerns about annexation and the village had an opportunity to dispel many fears. The Reeve was confident that meetings like this would be likely to continue to succeed in the future. three thefts are underinvestigation cream, ice cream was another big hit, played with a rollicking rock 'n roll beat. "I Must Be Growin" reflects the wonder of childhood as their world starts to shrink around them. Then Glen sang about a different kind of pet, his "Magic Dragon" who strut- ted his stuff to the delight of the kids, sporting green, sparkly scales, rain- bow wings and big blue eyes. Have you ever heard a love song about vegetables? (all except Brussel's sprouts, of course). "My Baby Brother" sounds like the com- ic strip "For Better or Worse", depic- ting Childish disasters familiar to every parent. "Who's Got The Beat?" is found on both of his record albums "Let's Go On Safari" and "I Must -Be Growing" and nearly lifted the Playhouse roof in an explosion of sound. flow about "Dogs and Cats" that sing along to the radio, with the audience joining in the barks and meows? Lahib Zouheir, London, proprietor of The Beach Comber Shop at Grand Bend, reported that his place of business had been broken into. It was discovered Friday morning. Stolen were cigarettes, potato chips and cash. Total loot was valued at $1,200. Susan MacGregor, RR 4 Parkhill, reported on Sunday that her 1978 brown Ford had been stolen, while Noelle DeGraw, London, told police that her purse was stolen while left unattended on the beach. Grand Bend OPP are investigating all three thefts. About town The weather in the last two weeks certainly has been extreme, two heat waves sandwiching a refreshing cold front -for a few days you could actual- ly enjoy hot tea and a sweater. Now we are back in the heat, chained to air conditioning, seeking relief in the crowded beaches, nursing sun burns and endlessly irrigating gardens, lawns, and crops. The long, hot sum- mer seems here to stay! Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lightfoot of Sauble Court have been enjoying a visit from their daughter, Mrs. Dinah Parisian and her two sons Adam and Andrew. They've come all the way from Vancouver, B.C. to enjoy a three week vacation with grandma and grandpa. Mrs. Nancy Thomers, chairman of the Sauble Court Tenant Association and her board have recently ap- pointed Mr. Dan Messeroll as the new tenant representative on the board. He replaces Mr. Elgin McNab who moved to Owen Sound last week. Remember the bingo games each Thursday at 8 p.m. and mixed darts each Saturday from 1-4 p.m. held at the Legion during July and August this summer! Win big tilt Coaches B. Pearen and S. Eddy took their bantam boys to a spec- tacular win 16-6 against the Crediton team on Sunday night. There was some great hitting by Brian Baird WE NOW CARRY Individual i Letter Stencil Paks 6u in Gothic Letters Tmes =A9te Exeter 235-1331 who scored four hits and gained live bases; Rob Humer slugged out two triple -base hits; Jarrett Kobe helped with a three and two score; Chris Stewart topped the scoring with one home run, a single and a double. Con- gratulations to the team on such a hot ' night. United Church news Another good attendance was out on this very hot Sunday, at Grand Bend United outdoor service. Rev. R. Peebles sermon topic was titled, "What's at stake?" with scrip- ture from Peter II 3:9-14 and Mark 16:14-20. Special music was two solos by Mrs. June Rheubottom, a local lady from Grand Cove. Coffee, juice and cookies were serv- ed at the close of the service. Glen Bennett at Playhouse A rock 'n roll concert for little kids? A big green dancing dragon? You bet! For all the kids and their parents who crowded into two performances at the Huron Country Playhouse last Mon- day, there was plenty of good music, great songs and lots of fun. Glen Bennett, a London performer who loves to entertain kids, brought his band, Ian Stewart on bass guitar and Pete' Brennan on guitar and keyboard, and of course his big green dragon, to lien up the summer for the local kids. Some of the 10 to 12 year olds might have gone reluctant- ly, expecting Sesame -Street, but once they got there, the older ones had as much fun as the wee ones, rocking to the beat of Glen Bennett. Glen opened the concert with "1 Like My Music With A Beat" that woke everyone up to a great sound, following with the story of Mr. Jones and his dog, that had audience par- ticipation in the chorus, clapping, stomping and howling! Ice cream, ice As Mee wl eet M MMge •k11MM SINT 25% :100,000 or mor.. Arm 30 -Si e.ro. 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