The Goderich Signal-Star, 1971-11-25, Page 9so
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124th YEAR -41
Andre, a manifesto and his father
obericjj
SIGNAL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 19 71
e ri;ciirT
officially
This evening the curtain will
go up on the opening night of
the Goderich Little ° Theatre's
first production of the 1971
season, "Yesterday the Children
Were Dancing", a translation of
work by French Canadian
playwright Gratien Gelinas.
Judging from a performance
during the.. filial dress rehearsal
of the group and a special
presentation last. evening to a
group df students from the
Goderich and District Collegiate
Institute and South Huron
District High School in Exeter,
the Little Theatre's production
of .the play does Mr. 1,Gelinas'
work great justice and should be
enjoyed by all age groups in the
community__.
A more timely selection of
work for-presentati tie
theatre gtoup mould ribt "'have
been arrived at. The V play,
although, written some time•
befpre, the, famp,tl,o;iJctolaer crisis
in'•Quebec, deals witlhe French
- English confrontations in that
province and when,cbnsidered in .
retrospect was disturbingly
prophetic. Ironically ° enough
Gelinas chose to b. e story
around the Justic ministry (in
this case the fed<ral position)
and how that post; "` o• by
the sudden death of a cabinet
minister, throws a Quebec
family into the full storm of the
Federalist vs Separatist ..-battle
which still —threatens_ the
security, stability—and peace of
Quebec and Canada.
Brian Markson, whoplays the
lead role of Pierre Gravel, .a
prominent Quebec lawyer
offered the Federal Justice
Minister's post, is outstanding in
the role despite the fact his
----undisguisable British accent
A drama of love -and convictions
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SECOND ,SECTION
opens
takes away somewhat from the
credibility of his playing the
role of a French Canadian,
Mr. Markson carries out his
role of a main torn between. -two
powers to point of having a
career ..,destroyed, in a manner
that deserves'only . the highest
regard despite, the accent
handicap.
His wife •.ouis
L -e Gravel, is
played by Virginia Lodge who in
her. portrayal of a woman torn
between the husband . she loves
and a family she raised shows
acting ability of a high degree
seldom seen in amateur—th-eg
Gravel's brother-in-law and
business partner, Paul O'Brien, is
played 'by Rev. Keith Stokes
who lends much to the play in
one . of the major supporting
Tony McQuail is cast. into the
role of the eldest Gravel son,
Andre, a top graduate of—law
scYi ool and'a b'rilli Grit' y mitt' man
who casts his family into the
drama on •which the play is
based.
tonight
Younger son Larry Gravel is
'portrayed by Dave Qarrut•hers.
Nk.cote_ C.hartiei, .Ar Gravel's.
girlfriend, is played by Eleanor
.Robinson and the difficult role
is executed,. by the actress -
admirably. ° Kay ., Stonehill,
another §upporting actress, plays
the role of Mr. Gravel's
secretary .
In. the final supporting role
Glen. Lodge plays the part of
Roberge, a _ Liberal party
organizer who sees Mr. Gravel as,,_
the perfect man to .seek election
to the Federal• house, and
eventually fill thea Justice'"'
Minister's, cabinet post in the
Pearson government.
Public Relations officer for,
the Little Theatre, Murray
MacDonald, said .on Monday,,
that tickets for the play and the -
remaining two productions this
• season were selling well but that
some were still available at the
office of Optometrist Reg 'Bell
where reservations for the play
might also be made.
•` In previous years the
Goderich Little Theatre has been
noted for the fine productions
—they have staged and "Yesterday
the Children Were I$'ancing"
takes its place as one of the best
ever. A play that fully portrays
the arguments on both sides of
the `Quebec question and
'disturbingly, shows the effects
the problem has on the society
of the ,province riga down_- to .:.._,.
-the family -level
Gelinas has long ago —
established himself 'as a top.
playwrighthis -work in this case
and ttie �,orgr de production '
the Little Theatre; result in an
evening of entertainment that
could seldom be surpassed
esterday the Children Were
D Tiling" is under the direction
of Warren, .Robinson and he is
assisted;
Atkins. ., ._....
gge
Behind the ''scenes are about
:20 other Little Theatre members
and .,,orkers: ,.who;, . handle.; the-
duties
heduties involved with the lighting,
wardrobes, set design and
construction and make-up.
Photo
story
Lighting effects an important part
Ry.
•••�••• N.••• `.010.0016 S.••••No"
A
'A family ..onfronta1t:ion
'Flower arrangements
for the set
Making stage Tight installations