The Citizen, 2007-07-19, Page 19Call it Shylock and Portia go to
camp.
Stratford Festival has taken every
opportunity to take it over the top in
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of
Venice, in an effort one supposes to
bring a fresh look to the work. The
effect however, is odd, at best, at
times completely bizarre.
Though a love story lies on the
surface of Merchant, at its heart is a
study in what damage bigotry and
hatred have on the world and society.
Unfortunately, I’m not certain that
point gets fair treatment in this
production.
Bassanio (Sean Arbuckle) is a
Venetian nobleman hoping to woo
the beautiful heiress Portia, played
by Severn Thompson, daughter of
Blyth Festival favourites Paul
Thompson and Anne Anglin.
Short on funds Bassanio asks his
friend, the merchant Antonio (Scott
Wentworth), to loan him 3,000
ducats. With his own capital tied up
in commercial ventures, Antonia
decides to borrow from Jewish
moneylender Shylock, played by
Graham Greene.
Shylock sees the opportunity as a
way to get revenge for insults that
have been made against him by
Christians. He bargains with
Antonio that should repayment not
be made in time, Shylock will be
entitled to take a pound of Antonio’s
flesh, from near the heart.
When Antonio’s fleet is said to be
lost and Shylock demands his due, it
is Portia who saves him.
From the high powered rock intro
to the masked characters, dancing
around like a high school production
in the opening scene, the audience is
duly warned, none to subtley, that
this is going to be a Merchant unlike
any they’ve seen before.
As if to prove that, there is the
scene involving Portia’s would-be
suitors, which was nothing short of
embarrassing.
What is behind costume designer
Phillip Clarkson’s inspiration one
can only wonder. Decked out like
Harlequins, contemporary
businessmen, and Renaissance
homeboys, it’s little wonder the cast
seems unable to take anything
seriously.
Wentworth is good as always,
Greene does a fine job, Thompson
has her moments. The rest give it
their best, but there is a giddiness to
the entire production that falls short
of Stratford’s usual polish.
What is also strange, however is
that despite all of this, the
production wasn’t horrible. There
are some entertaining moments and
Rose and the cast almost seem to be
taking Shakespeare seriously again
in the second act.
While one may wonder what
director Richard Rose hoped to
achieve with some of his ideas, it’s
clear most don’t work. If it’s new he
was striving for, he should
remember that sometimes things
can be too fresh.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&Theatre reviewThink Shylock and Portia go to camp
Merchant and friends
Severn Thompson, centre, with other cast members appears as Portia in Stratford Festival’s
production of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. (Richard Bain photo)
By Jo-Ann McDonald
The Legion will be collecting pop
cans for the Cadets at the ball
tournament food booth during
Homecoming. Look for the recycle
cans with clear bags for your pop
cans.
The Pipe Band has been busy
practising for the upcoming parade
for Homecoming. The combined
pipers and drummers of Brussels
and Listowel, I’m sure will do the
town proud.
The Branch is still hoping for
more veterans, militia, and ex-
military personnel to participate in
the parade. The float they will be on
is covered, so participants will be
shaded and dry, in case of rain. I
know dirty word – let’s keep better
thoughts in mind for a great
weekend. Contact Deb Trollope
519-887-9940 or leave a message at
the Branch 519-887-6562.
The fish fry crew was off to
Seaforth Legion to cook for the
annual parking lot party, fish fry and
country dance. There were over 260
out to enjoy the fish fry. Helping out
were Rick, Jo-Ann and Scott
McDonald, Jason and LeeAnn
Konarski, Linda Bird, Judy Lee, Jim
Alton and Seaforth friends Barry.
Young and Darryl Houston. Thanks
guys.
It was Saturday afternoon euchre
with 15 1/2 tables at play. The first-
place team was Charlie and Millie
Johnson, with 76 points. Two teams
tied for second with 73 points each,
so split the combined second and
third-prize money. They were Lloyd
and Lillian Appleby and Dorothy
Dalton and Delores Howatt.
The lucky lone hand prize winners
were Janet Mathers and Carman
Pollock. The low prize of the day
was very unusual, as there were four
teams that had no luck at the game.
Prizes went to Edith Roney and
Georgina, Helen Dobson and Mabel
Willis, Jim Coultes and George, and
Vera Lindner and Reta Davidson.
The Sunday night dance had a full
house out to enjoy the music of the
Red Rascal band. An unusual guest
was a baby bluejay. The singer in the
band rescued a baby bluejay when it
fell from its nest four weeks ago and
has tamed the wee fellow.
She said it only took a couple of
days to convince it that she had food
for it and he gobbled it up and has
taken to her really well. She fed it
baby worms and a mix of bread,
peanut butter and bird seed – he
loves it. He perks up and looks for
her when it hears her voice.
The crowd loved meeting Baby J.
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Blyth Rd., Auburn 519-526-7759
NOW LICENSED
UNDER LIQUOR LICENCE ACT
OF ONTARIO
Stickers Family Restaurant
Monday - 6:30 - 4:00;
Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00;
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:30 - 9:00;
Sunday 9:00 - 7:00
Saturday,
July 21
Ribs & Baked
Potato
5 pm - 9 pmFriday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm
Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm
The Brubachers of Ethel
Restaurant & Bakery
As of July 7, 2007 we
are permanently closed.
Thank you for your
patronage over the last
4 years & 8 months.
Well, well, well
Hillie is turning 50
And doing swell.
Happy Birthday
on July 21
Shawn, Chris and Matthew
invite you to share in the
celebration of their parents’
25th Wedding
Anniversary
Mike and Donelda
Cottrill
Saturday, July 21
at the
Wingham Golf and
Curling Club
9:00 pm to 1:00 am
Stag ’n Doe
Chancey Traves &
Bryan Stevenson
Friday, July 20
Parkview Gardens,
Listowel
Doors open at 8 pm
Early Bird Draw at 10 pm
Tickets - $5 each
For tickets contact:
Steve at 519-887-6876
or Cyndi at 519-887-6510
Age of Majority
At the Branch
Legion collecting pop cans