The Citizen, 2003-07-16, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2003. PAGE 19.
Entertainment fa Leisure
Theatre review
Stratford’s ‘King’ a visual masterpiece
Fun with the King
The King (Victor Talmadge) and Anna (Lucy Peacock) enjoy
a light-hearted moment in this scene from The King and Ion
stage at Stratford Festival.(Courtesy photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Stratford Festival’s production of
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The
King and I is a visual masterpiece.
Usually it’s the score that stars in
this production, but designer Debra
Hanson has created a set of stunning
opulence and detail. Strong enough
is further
designer
palette of
to help
to stand on its own, it
enhanced by costume
Roger Kirk, who uses a
lush fabric and colour
recreate 19th century Siam.
Based on the real-life memoirs of
Anna Leonowens, Margaret Landon
first wrote the book Anna and the
King of Siam in 1944. Gertrude
Lawrence approached Rodgers and
of
is
her
differences in their
and beliefs which
rather complicated
Hammerstein with the idea
turning that book into a musical.
The British Anna, who
widowed, arrives in Siam with
young son to teach the King’s many
children and to instruct him and his
wives in the ways of the western
world. Promised a house, she is
surprised upon arrival to find that
she is expected to live in the palace.
It is this argument that begins the
battle of wills that becomes their
relationship.
Despite her frustrations with the
autocratic King, Anna finds herself
beguiled by the ruler’s charm and
sense of humour. He, in turn, is both
challenged and enchanted by her
strength and wisdom.
Underlying their growing
affection and respect for each other,
are the vast
backgrounds
result in a
relationship.
Victor Talmadge is a suitable
King, probably even better than that
if one (that would be me) could stop
making comparisons to the imposing
Yul Brynner who played the role in
the 1956 movie. Talmadge doesn’t
stray too far from Brynner’s style
approaching the part with the same
wry charm and does it well.
As Anna, what Lucy Peacock
lacks in pipes, she more than makes
up for in acting ability. She is such a
solid performer it’s easy to forgive
her rather thin soprano. Though
actually, those who have seen her
over the course of a stellar 16
seasons, are probably surprised by
the voice she does have.
And should you feel cheated by it,
the pipes of the diminuative Anne
Marie Ramos, who plays Tuptim, a
young woman given as a gift from
the Burmese to the King, more than
makes up for it. Her voice is
mesmirizing:
Also, musically noteworthy in this
S)
production are Charles Azulay as
Tuptim’s ill-fated lover Lun Tha and
Helen Yu as Lady Thiang, the King’s
head wife.
Ian McLennan as Anna’s young
son is charming.
Director Susan H. Schulman plays
it safe. She manages to keep things
moving but her approach is almost
formulaic. Likewise while
choreographer Michael Lichtefeld’s
work is fine, I couldn’t help
wondering what would have
happened if the job had been given
to the inspired Donna Feore.
Such things are small bumps in an
otherwise smooth production which
‘Brad & ‘Dorothy foyton of
‘Wingham, Ontario are pleased
to announce the forthcoming
marriage of their daughter
Jficole to Tom Schiestel,
son of Charges Schiestel,
TVingham, Ontario
The wedding unll tahe place
July 26, 2003 at the Brussels
‘United Church, Brussels, Ontario.
BUCK & DOE FOR
ERICA COGHLIN & DOUG KOCH
Saturday, July 19, 2003 • 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
BMG Community Centre, Brussels, Ont.
$6 per ticket
Tickets call Sarah 887-8298 or Scott 746-6573
is not just entertaining, but visually
stunning. The latter in itself makes it
worth attending.
The King and 1 plays until Nov. 9.
Jltawiaae,
Ron and Doreen Ritchie
are pleased to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their daughter
Julie Margaret Ritchie
to
Darryl Grant Shannon
son of
Herb and Bonnie Shannon.
The ceremony will take place on
Saturday, July 26, 2003
at 3:00 in the afternoon
at the
Blyth Christian Reformed Church.
Open reception at Blyth
Community Centre at 9:00 p.m.
July 25, 26, Atwood’s
Jamboree at woods
For great music, a car show and a
little gambling, all enjoyed
outdoors, the Atwood Jamboree At
the Woods, July 25 and 26 is the
place to be.
Friday night will feature the car
show and casino night while a
selection of musical talents will take
to the stage Saturday.
Along with headliner and country
singer Mark Wills, the event will
feature Need An Elevator, Almost
Hip (a Tragically Hip tribute band),
Jeff Tanner, Jamie Warren and Karl
Kees.
The Junior Farmers will staff a
food booth with a menu to include
hamburgers, fries and pizza.
The adult ticket price is $30 or $35
at the .gate; teens 13-18, $15 and
children under 12 are free.
Tickets can be purchased at
Harvey Krotz Ford in Listowel, 1-
800-337-9545 or 291-3520; Ralph’s
Service Centre, Atwood, 356-2392
or the Listowel Chamber of
Gommerce, 291-1551.
Camping will be available.
Jo)
Tj)
I
Uo-it hco-ming. j
M.aM,iag.e
STEPHENS - MASON ®
Margaret Stephens
and M
Bruce Mason
are pleased to announce
their forthcoming marriage Ze
at the Bly th Ball Park
on July 19, 2003.
Please join us at an
open reception at the (ff
Blyth Community Centre 7®
at 9 p.m.
WEDDINGS
Performed - your location or our
undoor or outdoor chapel
(non-denominational)
For brochure call:
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FAITHS PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER, 524-5724
WEDDINGS
The Brubachers of Ethel
Sle&tauMtfit and fBakevyi
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
A,