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The Citizen, 1998-12-09, Page 27Animal characters come to life Cliff Saunders (left) as Toad takes his worried friends Rat (Oliver Dennis) and Mole (John Jarvis) for a ride in his new car in a scene from The Wind in the Willows at the Grand Theatre in London. The classic children's tale is brought to life in an enchanting production playing until Dec. 23. Theatre review Grand's 'Wind' magical Friday Great New Recording Act MILLER STAIN LIMIT on their "Radiate" Debut tour! w/special guests The PILLOW HEADS Listen & Watch for Miller Stain Limit's Hit Single "cellophane" on FM96 and MuchMusic. $5.00 at The Door Friday, December 18 BAT OUT OF HELL "Fabulous Meatloaf Tribute" Hwy. 8 West, Clinton 482-1234 PIG IN THE CITY ENDS THURSDAY "GREAT FANTASY FUN FOR THE pOLGIDAY ul SEASON!" FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 PM SUN. - THURS. 8:00 PM SAT. & SUN. MAT. 2 PM LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-80-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1998. PAGE 27. E ntertainment to aid in genealogy Website lists products By Keith Roulston Citizen staff If you want to see what magic can be created on the stage, The Wind in the Willows at the Grand Theatre in London is the place to go. Adapted from Kenneth Gra- hame's classic British children's story, the London production is enchanting from the moment the lights come up. Designer John Ferguson, a veter- an at both The Grand and Blyth Festival, has created a setting that is both fanciful and realistic as befits the story about a group of animals who people a community on the banks of the Thames River, acting very much like humans. The stage is framed by a large circular mask that gives the feeling of the moon coming up. From above boughs of willow hang down creat- ing the feeling that all the activity takes place under the branches of the trees-and turning the humans, playing the parts of the animals, into a smaller scale. The magic continues when Rat rows a boat up the stream just as if he was on water. Inspired casting by Grand The- atre Artistic Director Michael Shamata, who directs the play, helps turn the animals into delight- ful human-characters before your eyes. Stratford veteran Douglas Campbell was made to play Bad- ger, the wise, curmudgeon who prefers to spend his time in isola- tion but comes out wheneversome- one needs help. The cast is peopled with actors familiar to Blyth Festival audi- ences. Oliver Dennis, last seen in Yankee Notions, plays Rat, the poetic water rat. John Jarvis (also in Yankee Notions) plays Mole, who ventures out of his under- ground world to enjoy the excite- ment of Rat, Badger and the others. Eric Coates (The Melville Boys, Tomorrow Box and many others) plays the scheming Weasel, whose plot to take over Toad Hall floun- ders because of his fondness for rabbits (and not for eating). All of the above give solid, affecting performances but they are overwhelmed by the energy of Cliff Saunders (last seen in Blyth in Glengarry School Days and Black Bonspiel of Wully McCrimmon) as the foolish, irrepressible Toad. Saunders genius for physical come- dy (it won him a Dora Mayor Moore nomination during a long run of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Toronto) is perfectly matched to the role of the foolish Mole who is always getting into trouble because his love of motor- cars isn't matched by his skill in driving them. His supple body and facial features allow him to actually resemble a toad at times as he assumes unusual positions. thers f "Irroltertiort by Fred VanEgmond A literary account of the early settlement of Huron & Perth Counties. Available from the VanEgmond Foundation by calling 519-522-0413, or fax us at 519-482-7437 Cost per book $10.00 plus shipping & handling "A Great Gift Idea" The physicality of Saunders style seems to perfectly mesh with the requirements of the flamboyant Toad and he energizes the play every time he appears on stage. In act two, however, the comedy seems more forced as character is lost to schtick. But part of that can be blamed on the production's sole weakness. Telling a story in theatre requires different things than on the page and in bringing the gentle charac- ters to the Stage, Shamata hasn't been able to find the dramatic ten- sion that is required to make a stage play snap and crackle. The story is just too gentle and one audience member was heard to say it acted like a good bed-time story — it put her to sleep by the end. The shortcomings of the script are large enough to undo the beau- tiful enchantment of The Wind in the Willows. It's perfect holiday season fare for adults and children alike. The Wind in the Willows plays until Dec. 23. cpx1T0t, KEB TWIN CINEMA SURROUND SOUND STEREO LISTOWEL 291-3070 STARTS FRIDAY CINEMA 1 7 & 9:15 P.M. PG Opening on North America Release STAR TREK INSURRECTION Sunday Matinee 2 p.m. CINEMA 2 7 & 9:15 P.M. PG THE WATERBOY Sunday Matinee 2 p.m. COMING DEC. 25 ROBIN WILLIAMS IN PATCH ADAMS There are places where you can search dozens of genealogy data discs and where you can surf the web without even owning a computer. How would you like to be able to phone a number and get no charge expert advice on where to find your ancestors whether they lived in North America or Europe? Most city libraries have computers linked to the internet and helpful staff are at hand to show you how to. access genealogy web sites that will open up an entire new world of free searches for the family history enthusiast. The LDS Family History Centres have hundreds of computer discs containing millions of names from around the world, available at no charge, with helpful assistants to show you how to access the data. For those with a computer, or access to the internet, a new website at www.genfree.com will guide you to places where free genealogy products and services are available. Products such as a free copy of a genealogy magazine, free name searches in Europe and North America, no charge telephone advice and online access to cemetery and census records. There is also a company that will do a free evaluation of Irish ancestors and suggest ways in which you can make progress with difficult Irish research. Whether you search the internet at your local library or at home you will find the links to free genealogy products and services on this new website www.genfree.com a real boon to your family history research. Atwood Lions Bingo every Thursday Doors open 6:30 p.m. Starts at 7:00 p.m. Jackpot $1,000. on 54 calls Pot of Gold $1,000. on 52 calls Loonie Bin Wingham & District —1•11 Community Living +mow .411r, Association We mould like you to join ua in celeileating 40 yeaeo of oeutice to tie community Come & Go Social December 18, 1998 7-10 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church Hall Wingham, Ontario Bring old photographs & stories to share. The building blocks of the past are the foundation of the future.