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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-12-15, Page 44PAGE 20A--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1977 My FairLadya hit—. Show pure delight, ABY SHIRLEY J. KELLER GDCI musicals are definitely here to stay. With the drama club's latest triumph My Fair Lady, the viewing and listening public is just waiting for next season and another treat from Broadway. My Fair Lady, despite weather problems, attracted targe appreciative audiences. On Saturday afternoon at showtime, the visibility was down to zero and the streets were clogged with snow, but hearty musical buffs were there in heavy jackets and knee-high boots to enjoy a truly delightful performance of the Lerner and Loewe version of Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. The story centres around Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flowergirl who becomes a challenge to two language experts - ProfessorCcHenrEy, Higgins and Pickering. By the first in- termission, the two men have changed Eliza from a plirty, brash "gutter sparrow to a beautiful, charming and captivating creature. By the end of the show, Professor Higgins realizes he loves her Anne Robertson, daughter of Rick and June Robertson of Eldon Street, was in every sense the star of the show. She has a tremendous voice and a natural flair for acting. But more than that, Anne brought to the part that special something that made Eliza Doolittle come alive for the audience. She seemed genuinely Eliza when she was selling flowers in the street and haggling with the .customers; she seemed genuinely Eliza when she was gowned in white and wrapped in jewels and furs. It wasn't hard to believe that Anne Robertson was Eliza Doolittle and that Eliza was of royal blood. The opening number, Wouldn't It Be Loverly, was by far the best in the show and Anne Robertson sang it as well as any professionals, singer ever did. Maybe better than some. It was a true delight and set the tone and the pace for the whole per- formance. From then on, the cast had the audience in- trigued and infatuated with the whole thing. Phil Main, son of Phil and Joan Main, Palmerston Street, and Rob Bundy, son of Doug and Lou Bundy, Bruce Street W., proved again to GDCI club fans that if you give them parts in a show - almost any parts - they will turn those parts into the most exciting roles anyone ever played on any amateur stage. And Main and Bundy as Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering respec- tively, did it again. Phil Main, who in last year's performances of The Fantasticks gave such a strong performance as a singer and actor, was very good as Professor Higgins, the confirmed bachelor who was as surprised as anyone at his feelings for Eliza Doolittle. His offering of I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face was especially, good as was the difficult number Why Can't A Woman. Bundy, always noticed on stage, supported Main and Robertson with such "style. that at times he almost stole the show away from them. Remember the Rain In Spain number? Who will forget Bundy's flamboyant flamenco around the table? Jason Ainslie, son of Mrs. Jean Ainslie, St. George's Crescent, surprised the 'audience with his ability as an actor and as a singer. Ainslie has a fine voice -9 a strong voice - and was well cast into the role of Alfred P. °Doolittle, father of Eliza. Ainslie and the chorus sang I'm Getting Married in the Morning with such gusto and made it such fun that the whole audience was smiling and keeping time with the music. But With A Little Bit of Luck had to be the best number by Ainslie and the bog's,. GDCI drama club audiences will want to see more of Ainslie. Una Costello was another pleasant surprise for audiences as Mrs. Higgins, the mother of the professor. Playing the role of a society matron, Una was just snobbish enough without leaving the impression she was totally unbending. Her little scene with Colonel Pickering before The Ascot was just great and Una turned in a fine performance. Although he only had a few lines as the butler, Kevin Bundy was memorable for his stuffy and wry proper in- troductions._ Stewart Smith as Freddy Eynsford-l-lill who hung around the lovely Eliza's doorstep singing On The Street Where You Live, was also surprisingly good. Smith's voice was pleasant enough for the song to be enjoyed as often as he sang it and the audience demon- strated its approval with applause. The cast in the show w' as large. Others who took part in the show and who deserve honorable mention are Karen Melady, Lisa Roske, Nancy Jacobson David Smith, Pauline Hall, Leslie MacEwan Jim Wilkin, Anne Robertson star Rob Bundy great Patrick Wirphy, 'Christy Buddy, Kevin Huyck, David Smith, Jerry Horton, Kevin Dykstra, Jacques Richard, Fred Martin, Kelly Suchard, Sandy Gauley, Brenda Stewart, Donna Jackson, Andrea Jackson, Dale Simons, 'ferry Louch, Mike Murphy, Don Coughlan, Rob Royal, Andrew Ross, Virginia Such, Chris Carter Connie De Haas, David St Jean, Laurie Tigert, Mark Hogan, Kim Mabon Kim Black, Marie Bolton, Cathy Carlisle, Julia Carruthers, Laurie Dustow, Melanie Dustow, Anne McDonald Eleanor McMillan Beth Morris, Anne Marie Murphy and Debbie Shaddick Much of the pure pleasure in the show would have been Phil Main excellent start to finis lessened had not the or- chestra been there. Under the competent direction of Allan R. Mullin of the GDCI staff, the pit hand added that extra touch of class to My Fair Lady - and made it' all the more enjoyable. "Che GDCI musicians were bolstered by Shirley and Don McMillan, Nancy and Mary Hearn and Dr. Jim Peters cou.i-S.t:,, much credit people whom ust a reat deal of kids. a0 d gt?C s ha ti VC me of to these given assist to 13ut a re to the be program kind kid S: of th g e GDCI tom notes musiCians' mended. The attest to the effort made by the high, schools with bandstration is Fair Lady) note -for -note tran- •'For hands, fable avai which is a (for My all & Mutch Ltd. Home Furnishings This Christmas, give someone a more beautiful home. scription of the original. Professionally written music such as this is a challenge to which the students have risen magnificently." It was true. The band was great from the opening overture to' the grand finale. There just isn't any way to adequately describe the kind of lift the pit band gave to the product ion. Members of the band in- clude: flutes, Gary Peters, Karen Dunn; clarinets, Paula Butler, Sandra McClinchey, Karen Doherty, Anita Shrier, Al Cook, Robin Ormandy; saxophones, Sandra Dale; bassoon, Richard Sizer; trumpets, Ron . Butler, Elizabeth McMillan, Patti Lynn Tolchard; tuba, Abby Chump; bass, . Nelson Petersen; violin, Paula Butler; percussion, Chris Black, Pam Tolchard, Mike Vandersteen. Louise MacGregor was the pianist. Harpist was Mary Hearn. The highlight of the show for the entire audience was The Ascot. !Aside from the humor of the whole thing - stiff snobs standing emotionless like zombies while singing lines like "I've never been so keyed up" - the group's singing ability was excellent. It was evident the cast had been carefully trained for this particular number which was extremely well done. The costuming, par- ticularly for The Ascot and for the hall at the Tran- sylvanian Embassy, was exceptionally good, The ladies were elegant and the gentlemen were impeccable. The program noted: "This productions' costumes were all designed and made under Turn to page?IA1 WORK BOOTS AND CLOTHING ...,Priced Right! SMITH'S FARM & GARDEN CENTRE 66 HAMILTON ST GODERICH 524.8761 Come browse through our vast selection of fine home furnishings. At Ball & Mutch, we offer big -city selection, at small town prices you can afford. We invite you to shop and compare. Compare selection, quality, price, and service. You can buy the best for less at Ball & Mutch. 0 HASSOCKS CHINA CABINETS FROM CARD TABLE & CHAIRS (Bridge Sets) FROM $7995. • FROM $12 • CLOTHES HAMPERS FROM g,, 50 S 6 9•95 A CEDAR CHEST FROM 8 different styles to choose from LAMPS Swag Table $2400 ,0 See our selection of CHAIRS Recliners - Rockers - Swivels Enter Clinton's '1,000 Grand Christmas Give -a -way at Ball 8 Mutch. 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