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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-06-26, Page 2F'at'e 2 Times -Advocate, June 26, 1991 IN TJ4F NEWS Summer theatre review Wizard of Oz a technical challenge By Adrian Harte GRAND BEND - How do you simulate a tornado on stage? This is obviously not an easy question to answer. No doubt that's one of the many problems that must have faced the Huron Country Playhouse artistic and meat ago is now just another stage prop. One would have thought, however, that his crystal ball might have been a little more convincing than what appears to be sparkly styrofoam. In case you were wondering, presenting Kansas in black and white and Oz in colour was naturally im- possible, but alert theatregoers will notice that Dorothy's dress changes colour from blue to red. The set designers must have ago- nized a bit over the unfortunate ne- cessity of allowing the audience a glimpse of the Emerald City set long before it was to appear fully lit in Act II, but the sight of the elabo- rate and colourful Munchkinland complete with the deliberately ador- able cast of local children more than makes up for it. Of course, there is more to Wiz- ard of Oz than just special effects and props, but because just about everyone is intimately familiar with all the dialogue and songs, the show, for adults at least, is mainly a trip down memory lane. Kristin Kamer carries the role of Dorothy very well, always aware that Judy Garland's definitive char- acter cannot be tampered with: Oddly enough, Marcia Trau seems more comfortable as the wicked witch than as Miss Gultch, who does not come across as crusty and intimidating as one might expect. All other characters do their roles justice, with spe- cial mention going to David Talbot who shines as the Scarecrow. And let's. not forget the 51 children who win over the audience as the little people of Oz. Grand Bend native and Sheridan College graduate Kerrin Mehagan will be taking the role of Dorothy on Tuesday and Wednesday matinees and Friday eve- ning performances. The Wizard of Oz will be playing at the Huron Country Playhouse until July 6. stage staff when puzzling how to bring what was originally a movie onto the stage as The Wizard of Oz. As for the tornado, the special effects people in the lighting booth did very well. You'll just have to see it for yourself. In fact, the whole production of Wizard does seem to revolve around the set and special effects, just as the original Judy Garland movie did. The use of two-dimensional scenery comes naturally to the stage, mimicking the mood and style of the film. There is a certain amount of humour applied to the surrealistic set. As Professor Marvel (Vernon Chap- man) bends down to pick up the fake campfire set, he giggles about what was cooking for dinner a mo - Much Ado just about perfect By Adrian Harte STRATFORD - William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is an elegant play, in fact it is prob- ably the very best of his comedies. It is a tale of love, of bringing together two very different couples. We have Hero, who excels at playing the role of the passive woman, and Claudio, who manages to fall in love with her even though he doesn't hear a word from her lips. On the other hand we have Beatrice, whose intelli- gent, witty remarks scare off moss suitors, and, the rest she rejects. Her only match is Benedick, himself a sworn bachelor. The other members of the court of Messina conspire to bring these two together, while the forces of evil attempt to undo the match of Clau- dio and Hero. Andi yet, Much Ado is not an easy play to bring off successfully. The casting of the characters is ex- tremely difficult as Shakespeare's text leaves little room for interpretation. Beatrice's snappy comments must still come across with levity. Benedick's aloof- ness must still allow a transformation into a lovesick Puppy - And yet, the Stratford Festival's 1991 production of Much Ado does all this incredibly well; much bet- ter, in fact, than the last time the Festival took on this comedy. Goldie Semple puts on a first rate performance as Beatrice, giving the role the warmth and humour it needs. Colm Feore balances well as Benedick. Brian Bedford and Brian Tree appearances as the bumbling night watchmen make the most of the role without overshadowing the main plot. Even Lome Kennedy in the role of Don John is delightful. He isn't physically intimidating, but just Napoleonic enough to make his role as the conniving illegitimate brother convincing. • In short, Stratford's Much Ado About Nothing is not found wanting in any department. The charac- one• the, set, the musiw;al%, a c ' fthen � meniora61n Shakes irebest. of f ;,1 You may see different interpretations of this play elsewhere in the world, but surely no better. Stopper On May 1, 1991 between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. an unknown per- petrator broke the glass front out of a propane pump at the co-op Gas Bar at 51 Main Street Exeter, Ontario. On May 18, 1991 a vehicle was left parked in the Canadian Tire parking lot near the Service Bay entrance at 7:00 p.m. and when the owner returned at 8;30 p.m., he found the drivers side of the wind- shield had been smashed on his '85 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Broken window One Saturday, June 8, 1991, around 11:00 p.m. a male and female were heard fighting and after they left the area a window was found to be broken at Kuality Custom Upholstery, 436 Main St., Exeter, Onta- rio. The female is described as in her 20's wearing a jean jacket and blue jeans and the male's first name is believed to be Dan. If you have information about these or any other crimes call CRIME STOPPERS OF HURON COUNTY 1400-265-1777 OR 524-6851 and you could receive a reward of up to $1000. YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO GIVE YOUR NAME NOR WILL YOU HAVE TO APPEAR IN COURT. Correction A torch runner in the recent Spe- cial Olympics Torch Run was in- correctly identified in the photo- graph which appeared in the June 12 Times Advocate. The partici- pant's correct name is Doug Needs. Needs name also appeared incor- rectly in an earlier photograph from the Walk-a-Dog-athon. The Times Advocate regrets the error. A GIFT FOR YOU FROM ESTEE LAUDER With any purchase of 518.00 or more of ESTEE LAUDER cosmetics you will receive a lovely 6 piece gift. BONUS BEGINS...JUNE 29 to JULY 13 ONE GIFT PER PURCHASE - WHILE QUANTITIES LAST Located in Harry's Mall Bayfield 565-5253 Open Letter Residents express feelings Dear Editor. RE: Sidewalks of West Side of Pryde Blvd. and on the East side of Pryde Blvd. We the undersigned, would like to express the following points in regards to the proposed sidewalk installation on the West side of Pryde Blvd. 1. We do not feel the expense is justified. We understand the PRIDE Grant covers the portion of the installation, however, there is a cost of S15,000 that the Town must assume, and therefore the Taxpayers will be paying this amount. Also, we must consider the future maintenance, and the restoration of the surrounding boulevard to its original condition, will also constitute a monetary consideration - also carried by the taxpayers. 2.. As confirmed by your Public Works official at the meeting on Monday, when the pumping sta- tion is installed to correct the problem of raw sewage and storm water running through the same line, these sidewalks will have to be tom up again for the necessary connections and repairs. 3. If you do in fact, decide to in- stall the sidewalks against our wishes, we do expect the work to be completed in a professional manner i.e. sidewalks to have a smooth surface finish , proper cur- ing of the concrete, restoration of the boulevard with sod, after it has been rolled and prepare; (not grass seed!) driveways repaired to their onginal condi- tion, and an an- swer as to who' is re- sponsible n-swerastowho'isre- sponsible to maintain the portion from the sidewalk to the curb. Also, we require in WRITING - a notice of intent - 7 DAYS prior to construction com- mencing, advising each landowner of any blockage of access to his/her property including driveway - as advised by our legal counsel. Please note: Pryde is a mature sub- division with well maintained land- scaped lawns, including the Town portion at present - and this is pre- served by the Owners, who are also your taxpayers. 4. Our fear is that this sidewalk could create another water and sew- age problem such as we have expe- rienced many times in the past. Any such occurrence will result in immediate legal action against the Town of Exeter. Signed and pcesentedby the following: Doug Johnson Laverne McCarter Marion McCarter Phyllis Johnson Mary Hottzmann Harold Hohmann Greg Hogg Judy and Dan Hoggarth R. Bogart Elaine Bogart Rick and Vanda Miles Maureen Simmons Steve Simmons Jack and Tove Bell Jim and Sue Guenther • Sheila A Renn Dave Roger Karin Roger Robert Tait Fred Negrijn Ruthanne Negrijn Jack Schenk Darlene Schenk Barb Storey Paul Storey Joanne and Ralph Wareham Mary Ellison Please note: We have assumed that the original position of the sidewalks = halfway up our lawns is NOT being considered as a loca- tion. Our canvass has revealed that not one person was in favour of that idea. 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