The Citizen, 2003-07-09, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2003. PAGE 19.
Entertainment Leisure __
Theatre review
‘Leaving’ a classic choice for Festival
In ‘Home’
charm helps one glimpse the tender
ness beneath the toughness. At the
least you feel pity for his inability to
connect with Ben.
Shawn Mathieson with his Prince
Henry cuteness was a nice fit for
Billy, while Brandon McGibbon
showed intensity as the frustrated
Ben. Mary Krohnert does a fine job
in her Blyth debut as Kathy, while
Caroline Gillis is the complicated
Minnie, Kathy’s mother, whose
crass remarks bounce between enter
taining and offensive.
Ross Manson does a standout job
as her boyfriend Harold, proving
that silence can be golden.
Probing deeply into the intricacies
of family relationships, as it does,
Leaving Home can be troubling. As
well, language is strong and may
shock the sensitive.
But it is an impressive telling of a
family who becomes so real that its
ending leaves you wanting to know
CWx Please Recycle
This Newspaper
★ BUCK & DOE*
In a rare moment of tenderness, Jacob Mercer (Jerry
Franken) embraces his wife Mary (Brenda Bazinet) during
this scene from David French’s acclaimed Leaving Home,
Stappy 85lfl
on July. 11
"Mom"
(Bernice McClinchey)
re & best wish
es from
your family
which is filling Blyth Festival’s 2003 Canadian classic slot.
(Courtesy photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
A classic is defined as something
of acknowledged excellence.
This year’s offering in Blyth
Festival’s Canadian classic slot fits
the definition well. Acclaimed play
wright David French’s Leaving
Home premiered in 1972 and left
such an indelible impression it
resulted in a sequel the next year.
The Mercer family eventually
became the basis for five French
plays.
A story of family conflict and
complexity, Leaving Home begins at
a pivotal time for the Mercers. It has
been several years since Jacob and
Mary, with their sons, Ben and Billy
moved to Toronto from Coley’s
Point, Newfoundland. Ben, having
just graduated has earned a scholar
ship for university.
His younger brother at 17 is about
to marry the mother of his unborn
child.
French, who has said the Mercer
plays are semi-autobiographical, has
crafted a tale that shows how per
sonalities confuse issues of love and
respect. Jacob, forced to leave
school after the third grade is in awe
of Ben’s knowledge, yet threatened
by it. In turn he shows off the diplo
ma, then mocks him about it. He
does not want Ben to move out, but
makes his life at home unbearable.
Mary is mediator and protector of
both sides, a situation which often
brings bad from good intentions as
she tries to smooth the waters
between father and sons. Jacob
often feels detached from the family
as a result.
Billy stuck in the middle finds
himself pulled in several directions,
as he simultaneously deals with his
own conflicting feelings about his
fiancee, Kathy, and marriage.
John Jarvis directs with respect,
never forgetting the play deals with
serious subject matter, despite sever
al light moments.
Brenda Bazinet as the stoic Mary,
displays a gentle, yet formidable
quality, giving an elegance to the
role.
As Jacob, Jerry Franken has a dif
ficult part to play. The patriarch is a
bully, a man hardened by the world
in which he grew up. While it’s easy
to dislike the character, Franken’s
Love Gerald, Stacey
& Paula
JLappy 25“' y
Anniversary I
Dave & Karen [ 0
July 7, 1978 k
The Brubachers of Ethel
and fBaftevy,
REAL Home-cooked meals!
Come and try our cinnamon buns.
Mon. - Fri. 6:30 am 'til 7:30 pm;
Sat. 8:00 am - 6:30 pm; Sun. Closed
887-8659 in Ethel
how things turn out. Fortunately, that
will happen/as artistic director Eric
Coates plans to bring more of the
Mercers’ story to Blyth’s stage.
I for one look forward to it.
I
7^ A O fOrUAnn Stephenson
1.Ieff&Lote .J
★
7^
7^
7^
★
Jfeona Snyder'
eona (
and her family cele- ‘ •
brate her
80"' birthday on
' Saturdayy July 19‘
Saturday, July 12
★
★
7^
★
Listowel Kin Station
Music by DJ
9:00 - 1:00
$6.00 advance
$ 8.00 at the door
Age of majority Lunch provided
Come and help Le
t
c
fl Open House
) • 2~5 at the Brass
I
..t2~5 at the Brussels •
Legion I
Best Wishes Only 3
JU
Call for tickets
Mike 887-9496
Jenn 584-0978 Lryidie, Hondie.
look wkoi 40
Aaue doer,
Qohstalho+i, Michael
& ea'iali+ic