The Citizen, 1996-10-09, Page 27Reflection
Christopher Plummer gives a tour-de-force performance
as actor John Barrymore in the Stratford Avon Theatre
production of Barrymore.
Huron County
Federation of Agriculture
Combined
ANNUAL REGIONAL
MEETING(s)
Friday, October 25, 1996
7:00 p.m.
Seaforth Community Centres
Guest: Ken Kelly
OFA Vice-President
Tickets: $12.00
Available from County Directors or
call 482-9842 or
1-800-511-1135
NOTICE
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture is revising its
CONSTITUTION which was last
revised in 1988. This will be
presented for approval at our
Annual Regional Meeting on
Friday, October 25, 1996 in
Seaforth.
Anyone wishing a copy of
present and/or revised
Constitution may receive such
by calling 519-482-9642 or
1-800-511-1135
TIME
, IS RUNNING
our, .
CHRIS O'DONNELL GENE,HACRMAN
THE CHANIBER
LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1400-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1996 PAGE 27.
Dinner highlights event
By Bonnie Gropp
It takes a great actor to portray a
great actor. As John Barrymore, in
the Avon Theatre's production of
William Luce's Barrymore,
Christopher Plummer is more than
equal to the task.
Not that this should come as any
surprise to those even remotely
familiar with this gifted artist's
work. A first rank stage actor by
the time he was in his early 20s,
Plummer has performed on Broad-
way and in movies. He is the recip-
ient of numerous awards from both
sides of the North American border
and in England.
In this Stratford production, his
portrayal of the heavy-drinking
Barrymore, in his sodden days
about one month before his death,
is as flawless as one might expect.
He is brilliant to watch. Plummer
slips from a natural easy wit, to
poignant drama that leaves the
audience breathless.
In this two-act play, Barrymore is
rehearsing in an empty theatre for
his return as Richard III. Plummer
is alone on-stage, conversing alter-
nately to himself, the audience and
his off-stage prompter, Frank
(Michael Mastro). He underlines
snippets of Shakespeare with comic
mimicry and colourful commentary
on everything from his drinking to
his four failed marriages.
There is pathos in Barrymore's
story of alcoholism, lost love and
finished career, but the sardonic
bite with which it is delivered tears
the edge of the sadness. Barrymore,
as portrayed here, may have been a
pathetic man, but one who did not
wallow in self-pity. "So far gone,
(he) hasn't left yet," he has learned
to laugh at life, misery and failures.
As he summed up in a poem, he
"was once a noble actor, but is now
a horse's ass." You almost feel a lit-
tle guilty for having such a good
time at his expense.
Luce's Barrymore, which is soon
to embark on a North American
tour, is certainly entertaining.
Directed by Gene Saks, the humour
is well-timed, popping out to sur-
prise you in moments of insight. If
I had one complaint it was the "F"
word, which made its crude appear-
ance on several occasions. I don't
Correction
Incorrect information was given
regarding Brussels Citizen of the
Year, Audrey Cardiff. She is an
RPN, not an RN as stated in the
story.
consider myself a prude, but it's
usage here seemed more gratuitous
than beneficial. Even Plummer's
dignity couldn't sell it.
This is a minor point, however,
in an otherwise solid production.
Typically we visit the theatre to
be entertained. In this case we are
given so much more. Barrymore is
an excellent stage production.
Recycle
WAKE UP LARRY RICE
WE DON'T WANT You To
MISS YOUR "50TH"
Guess Who?
CAPITOL
THEATRE
291-3070
All Seats $4.25
LISTOWEL
Dolby Surround Sound Stereo
STARTS FRIDAY
Oct. 11 - 17
7 p.m.
Sunday matinee 2 p.m.
HARRIET THE SPY
FAMILY
9:15 p.m.
MAXIMUM RISK •
(Jean Claude Van Damme) •
AA
Also, it is a rare pleasure to watch
someone so magnificent at their
craft. Plummer has a surety, poise
and ability on stage that marks him
as one of the truly gifted.
Barrymore continues at the Avon
until Nov. 20.
Congratulations &
Best Wishes
Fleming & Dorothy
in Honour of
Fifty Years of Marriage
waOctober 9th 1996
LOVEFrom Family
All You Can Eat
Beef
Supper
Thursday,
October 17
5 - 7 p.m.
Blyth Memorial Hall
Adults: $9.00
Children: $4.00
Preschoolers: Free
Sponsored by: Trinity
Anglican Church
Continued from page 3
as well as Kim Souch and Arlene
Darnbrough from Bayside Blue.
Another highlight will be the
gourmet dinner which precedes the
bidding. Judie Glen of Glen Farms
Herbs & Preserves Inc., Listowel,
has planned a mouth-watering
menu including endive and
radicchio salad with raspberry
dressing, miniature harvest loaves,
rolled turkey breast with fruit and
madeira sauce, and pork medallions
with rosemary calvados. Many
dishes will be prepared with t he
tantalizing herbs, preserves and
vinegars produced by Glen Farms.
Bidders can also nibble
delectable hors d'oeuvres prepared
by the board of directors while
perusing the silent auction items at
5 p.m. Dinner is 6:30 p.m.; live
auction 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
In Our New Nite Club
7 YEAR ITCH
featuring
Helix's Brian Volhmer
with
TODAY'S BEST ROCK!
Friday October 18
Columbia Recording Artist
54-40
oh their
"Trusted by Millions"
Tour
Tix $12 Adv., $16 Door
Hwy. 8 West, Clinton
482-1234
The Gala Auction is sponsored
by Ideal Supply Co. and CFPL
Radio. For tickets or more
information, call the Blyth Festival
a (519) 523-9300.
GRADUATION
Valerie Lynn Laverty
daughter of Ken and Julie
Laverty and Shirley and
Barry Skinner graduated on
June 24, 1996 from Conestoga
College Kitchener, with her
Registered Nursing Diploma.
Valerie is presently employed
at Palmerston and District
Hospital, Palmerston Ontario
as a Registered Nurse and at
the Ritz Villa in Mitchell,
Ontario. Congratulations &
Best Wishes Valerie. Love,
your family and friends
40th
Wedding
Anniversary
The family of
John & Kay
Roberts
invite you to a
Come & Go Tea
Sunday, October 20th
2 - 4 p.m.
at the
Belgrave W.I. Hall
Best wishes only
please
E ntertainment
Theatre review
Plummer is Sarrymore'