The Citizen, 1999-09-29, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1999. PAGE 19. >
E ntertainment Gallery offers classes
Theatre review
‘School for Scandal’ hilarious
Gallery Stratford is offering an
informal class called Artistic
Crafters for those who have that
itch to create.
The Artistic Crafters will meet
once a month at Gallery Stratford at
7 p.m. Those who wish to
participate can simply call the
Gallery to book into a session and
to get a list of the supplies needed
for the class(es).
Classes are: Thursday, Oct. 14,
masks; Thursday, Nov. 4,
floorcloths; Tuesday, Nov. 23,
Christmas decorations.
Gallery Stratford has announced
the return of Elisabeth Feryn and
Terry Manzo to teach an
Introductory Photography Class for
adults. This class will help you
become more familiar with your
camera and will help you to
compose better photographs. Class
starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5
and runs for seven weeks. An
additional class will be held on a
mutually agreeable Saturday where
the instructors will take the
participants on a shoot.
For more information or to
register call Sarah Sheehan,
education co-ordinator at 271-5271
ext. 23.
unicef^
United Nations Children's Fund
Where children's rights come first.
JlLavuag#
Baffled
Sir Peter Teazle (Brian Bedford) is shocked to find his young wife hidden behind a screen dur
ing Stratford Festival’s The School for Scandal. (Off Broadway photo)
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
If in the mood for a wonderful
comedy, lots of laughs and great per
formances, Stratford Festival’s The
School for Scandal will easily fit the
bill.
The story revolves around a group
of gossip mongers who feast on
destroying others’ lives.
Lady Sneerwell, the queen of the
gossips, states her case early. She is
only giving back to society what was
used to ravage her reputation many
years before.
Sneerwell, played conniving well
by Seana McKenna surrounds her
self with cronies only too eager to
feed the rumour mill used to fill the
papers of the day. Set in 1777, the
play depicts storytellers which must
surely have been the forebearers to
tabloid press today.
Lally Cadeau is perfection as Mrs.
Candour who does not believe she is
a gossip, only telling what she has
been told. Her outrageous costume
and quick tongue add to the humour
of her character.
Sir Benjamin Backbite (Tim
MacDonald) and Uncle Crabtree
(Keith Dinicol) add to the hilarity as
both their costumes and personae are
over the top.
It is that exaggerated style which
enhances the piece making their
words and simple appearance on
stage a cause for laughter.
MacDonald is divine as dandy
Backbite. His extreme makeup,
flouncy attire and wonderfully
expressive face allows his character
to jump out at the audience.
He and Dinicol work well off of
each other, making a comical pair as
they leave the stage in unison.
Appearing late in the play, James
Blendick was as always splendid,
portraying Sir Oliver Surface who
returns after a 15-year absence to
discover which of his wayward
nephews deserves to inherit the fam
ily fortune.
Steven Sutcliffe, as nephew
Joseph, played every side of the tale
well as he conspired, lied, tricked
and betrayed friend, family and
competitor. His twinkle of the eye or
devilish grin could say more than
any words.
It is wonderful to watch as Joseph
spins his web in an effort to deceive
those he needs and flatters others
into following his word. It is even
more hilarious as the tales begin to
intertwine and unravel. His face
drops as friends and acquaintances
from differing stories come together
in one room and he squirms to extri
cate himself from a rather tight posi
tion.
In spite of stellar performances by
most of the cast, it was always Brian
Bedford as Sir Peter Teazle who
stole the show.
Poor Sir Peter, the 50-year-old
bachelor who had taken a young
wife just six months earlier is frus
trated by her joy for arguing, con
stant refusal to abide his wishes and
his own fears that she may indeed
fancy one of the Surface brothers.
It is a result of his consternation in
dealing with this young wife, skill
fully portrayed by Michelle Giroux,
that some of the funniest moments
burst forth.
The expressions of complete loss
for words, dismay and frustration
have many in the audience chuck
ling and laughing in agreement as he
tells the woes of marriage.
The School for Sandal is worth
seeing if only for Bedford’s perform
ance.
The directing of Richard Monette
was once again superb. In a comedy,
timing is everything and there was
not a slipped syllable throughout the
production. Every gesture and facial
expression told the story.
The costumes, under the guidance
of Anne Moore, were exquisite and
the set changes were fun and enter
taining as they often are at the
Festival.
If there were any weak points to
the production it was in the under
played role of Maria (Sarah
Mennell) as Sir Peter’s ward and
Charles Surface (Donald Carrier),
the spendthrift.
Maria was to be the sweet young
thing which turned every man’s
head. However, it was barely notice
able when she was on stage. Her per
formance was too subdued when
taken in context with the exaggerat
ed nature of the rest of the cast.
Carrier’s performance of Charles
was not inferior, but for this review
er, he just did not fit the role of care
free, gambler playboy.
Overall, this production of The
School for Scandal was a perfect
way to end the season in Stratford.
The play runs through Nov. 7.
OFA news
Continued from page 12
to play their part with the rest of
society in controlling air emissions.
“The January start-up date for the
program will enable the
Environment Ministry to get their
testing sites up and running, so the
locations will be more convenient
for most farmers,” he adds.
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VINCENT - EDGAR
Bill and Lorna Vincent
and
Niel & Cathy Edgar
are pleased to announce the
forthcoming marriage of
their children
Annette Michelle
to
Todd Arthur
on Saturday,
October 2, 1999
at Wingham United Church
Open reception to follow at
9 p.m.
Lucknow Community Centre
Welcome
To Commencement Exercises
at
Central Huron Secondary School
Friday, October 8th at 8:00 pm
An invitation is extended
to all graduates, parents
and friends.
Graduates & Award
Winners should be at the
school by 7:30 p.m.
FRI.-THUR. OCTOBER 1-7
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