Village Squire, 1974-06, Page 17MacKenzie and the fight he unsuccessfully
carried on against the Family Compact in
muddy York. The new play deals more with
the grievances of the farmers, including those
against the Canada Company in the Huron
Tract area of western Ontario. It deals with
men like Col. Van Egmond who is
commemorated at VanEgmond house at
Egmondville near Seaforth.
As usual there are some definite Theatre
Passe Muraille trademarks around this
production. The show was assembled through
the "collective" method, by which Thompson
makes use of his actors as writers and
directors as well as actors. In rehearsal
everyone throws in their ideas. Everyone
takes part in the research that goes into
giving the play its authentic feel of the period.
While rehearsing in Blyth before the opening
of the play in Clinton May 12, the actors
scoured western Ontario gathering informa-
tion for the play.
Besides the collective designing of the
play, there is the Passe Muraille trademark of
simple sets and costuming, leaving it to the
skill of the actors and the imagination of the
audience to evoke the atmosphere of the
long -ago times. This is not only commendable
it's downright necessary for the troupAas it
wanders around the area playing in cramped
corners like sales barns.
Only Paul Thompson would even think of
playing in a sales barn in the first place.
Many theatre people would turn up their
noses both literally and figuratively at any
suggestion. But Thompson saw instead the
potential of the small hall, where the
audience surrounds the actors, and everyone
has a good view of the action...indeed is
almost a part of the action.
Despite rave reviews both from newspaper
critics and ordinary people who had seen the
show, crowds were small as the show opened
in Clinton, perhaps put off by the attrocious
weather that has had everyone thinking
negatively. No doubt as the show ends its tour
the attendance will improve.
i- �' GIFTS
��3 HANDCRAFTS
i Village `CANADIANA
� )1/1313 ALADDIN LAMPS AND PARTS
1 — CI REG & CAROL JONES
LUCKNOW, ONT. 528-2906
Miles Potter and David Fox in a scene from 1837.
Goderich Little Theatre
present~
OH Mama, NO Papa
at McKay Hall
Thursday, May 23, Friday, May 24
Saturday, May 25
Box Office at Craft Corner,
Hamilton St. Goderich
Open 2 - 5 30 p m daily
VILLAGE SQUIRE/MAY 1974, 15