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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2001.
Theatre review
`Good Mother' takes look at family tragedy
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
What happens when in an instant
something changes the family
dynamic forever?
Playwright Damien Atkins
explores one example of this in The
Good Mother which has had its pre-
miere at Stratford's Tom Patterson
Theatre.
Anne Driver, played by the accom-
plished Seana McKenna, is the rock
of her family. Adored by her younger
sibling, the fire to her husband's
steady flame, confidante and guiding
light to her children, her role is
altered after she suffers a head injury
at the age of 42. Taken literally back
to infancy, the strong matriarch is
robbed of her memory. She relearns
walking and talking, though her
steps are halting and deliberate, her
speech slow and slurred.
For a family who counted on their
wife, mother and sister to lead them,
to be their strength, it is devastating.
In his note§ Atkins, who plays a
minor role as a researcher, said he
The Blyth Festival is already look-
ing forward to the opening produc-
tion for the 2002 season. Audience
and actors alike will once again
brave the elements -when The
Outdoor Donnellys is remounted in
June 2002.
And director Paul Thompson is
determined to improve upon an
already successful production. The
original concept for the show will
remain the same, but in the event of
foul weather an alternate perform-
ance space is being considered. The
festival is also adding a section of
individual seats for patrons who
would like to upgrade from the gen-
eral bleacher seating.
Associate Artistic Director Eric
Coates who played William
Donnelly in this year's production, is
has always been curious about the
way people recover from tragedies,
where they find the strength to cope.
"Each person has to decide whether
or not he can find the energy inside
him to move on. Not everybody suc-
ceeds."
The family in The Good Mother,
by the end of the play have recon-
ciled to the tragedy, each in his or her
unique way, in his or her own time.
Her husband Ben, Wayne Best, in
a nice, understated performance, is at
first faced with the daunting reality
of how seamlessly his wife held it all
together.
- Next there is the loneliness for this
good and loyal man, whose previ-
ously passionate partner no longer
desires him sexually. Though he will
remain with Anne forever, he is
eventually drawn for physical and
emotional companionship to her sis-
ter Louise.
Played sympatheticially by Jane
-Spidell, Louise convinces the audi-
ence of her selflessness, despite
reaching out to the vulnerable Ben.
This is no temptress and Lothario,
ecstatic about the decision to
remount The Outdoor Donnellys. "I
have never seen such a unifying the-
atrical event, anywhere," says
Coates. "Between the marvellous
community players, our tractor driv-
ers, the volunteers, crew and the core
company we realized Paul's vision.
Next year it can only get better."
Thompson also plans on offering
an all day package to true Donnelly
enthusiasts. Each Saturday and
Sunday performance allows partons
the chance to see all nine of the
preshow vignettes and includes din-
ner.
The Outdoor Donnellys runs from
June 7 - June 30. Tickets are now on
sale at the Blyth Festival box office.
Please call 1-877-TO -BLYTH or
523-9300 to order.
but rather two people who love and
respect each other almost as much as
they love Anne.
Daughter Nancy at 18 is child and
woman. Her confrontations with
Anne are equalled only by her need.
Michelle Graff does an excellent job
as the strong-minded, confused teen.
Son Boo, played endearingly by
Andrew Dodd, is the one who seems
least affected by the new morn. Only
once does he express the'wish that
she was back the way he was, more
often being the sole person capable
of understanding her needs.
Helping the family through the
transition are Shawn Mathieson as
NanCy's patient, solid boyfriend
Richard, Kim Horsman as Dr.
Kathryn Omer and Lisa Homer,
delightful as home nurse Yvonne.
The play which opens with a
somewhat surrealistic scene in
which Anne suffers her stroke,
begins the second act with the facts
that led up to that time.
One can be certain that both hus-
band and daughter probably experi-
ence a level of guilt mixed in with
WEDDINGS
Performed - your location or our
indoor or outdoor chapel
(non-denominational)
For brochure call:
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FAITHS PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER, 524-5724
CHRISTENINGS
gafttlicanting
Atavaage
Henk and Anneke Pardys
and George and Marilyn
MacDonald are pleased to
announce the forthcoming
marriage of their children,
Christy and Jeremy. The
wedding will take place
September 8, 2001 in
Waterloo.
loittlicatning
Atavtiage
Susan and Barry Bromley
and Alieda and Joseph
Vlasman are pleased to
announce the forthcoming
marriage of their children
April and Sean. The wedding
will take place in London,
Ontario.
their other feelings. Nancy had
fought with her mother, while Ben
had rejected her sexual advances.
While the theme of the story is
depressing, Atkins gives it a human
touch, where as it is with life there is
laughter among the sadness. While
the second act brought on some tears
for this mom anyway, it holds an
uplifting message of acceptance and
love.
Having the benefit of being
accompanied to this production by a
nurse, I was told that technically the
play was dead on, as was McKenna's
portrayal. Directed by her real-life
husband Miles Potter, the production
goes through scene changes smooth-
ly, while slide projection help make
the move from location to location.
Slides are also shown to provide
insight into the Anne of before.
One note of caution — language is
typical, there is profanity, and sex is
a hot topic.
The Good Mother, which closes
Sept. 27 has some profound observa-
tions from one so young as Atkins
appears to be. He shows much prom-
ise. He has created here a story that
makes you think, a lot, about life,
family, the role we each play and
what. becomes of us when one of us
is no longer there.
Blyth Festival looks ahead
to remount of `Donnellys'
In the swim
There's nothing relaxing about this swim as a member of the
Brussels swim team prepared last Friday for the final meet
of the season. (Vicky Bremner photo)
The HURON PIONEER THRESHER &
HOBBY ASSOCIATION INC.
presents a
A 40th Reunion Kick-Off
Opening with pianist Lorne MacKenzie...
followed by
Maryanne Cunningham and the Red
Rascal Band featuring...
Randy & Friends (ventriloquist act)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2001
Blyth Community Centre (upstairs)
Doors open at 7:00 p.m....Show at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets $5.00/person
Tickets available at the door or call
519-357-1560