The Stone Face by Sherry MacDonald
The Waterfront Theatre
Damfino Theatre
October 25- November 10, 2007
Vancouver, BC:
Sam: To be is to be perceived
Buster: To be perceived is to be
Alan: The film, Film, is about the object versus the subject. Titling the film simply Film, in effect draws attention to the subject as a reflection of its viewed self
In her play, The Stone Face, that premiered last night at The Waterfront, local playwright Sherry MacDonald skillfully manages to pay homage to Buster Keaton and Samuel Beckett while jibing at subjects as diverse as theatre of the absurd, Abbott and Costello and academic literary theory. As one who admires the dedication of the many writers who toil in solitude, writing and polishing books which don't get published or plays that don't get produced, it's a real pleasure for me to see The Stone Face brought to life on stage.I saw a much earlier version at the Playwrights Theatre Centre New Play Festival in May 2004 and it is interesting to see the evolution from previous draft to final production.
The Wars adapted by Dennis Garnhum from the book by Timothy Findley
Directed by Dennis Garnhum
Vancouver Playhouse
Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company
October 11 - November 10th, 2007
Vancouver, BC: I first read "The Wars" as an assignment in a distance education Canadian Literature course when I was working ten hour days, and studying three to four hours a night. Reading for pleasure was limited to ten or fifteen minutes before I could no longer keep my eyes open and drifted into sleep. The night I began "The Wars" was no different. In bed by eleven, I opened the slim paperback, determined to make a start on my next assignment. Three hours later I closed the book. I lay awake thinking about Robert, a compassionate, sensitive 19 year old boy who was compelled to take on responsibilities no young person should ever have to face. The thought of the terror that he experienced in the moment when he realized that he and his beloved horses were trapped had me shivering in the warmth of my comfortable bed. With an economy of words Findley had recreated a world of artillery barrages, poison gases and young men sent to die in futile attempts to capture a piece of ground. He also showed how tenderness can be nurtured in a young person and how he can be driven to desperate measures to protect the vulnerable.
His Greatness by Daniel MacIvor
Directed by Linda Moore
Granville Island Stage
Arts Club Theatre Company
October 11 - November 10, 2007
Vancouver, BC: "People don't die at the end of his plays. They go on living. That's the tragedy."
And that tragedy is at the heart of Daniel MacIvor's insightful new play. In a "snapshot" inspired by the visit of Tennessee Williams to Vancouver shortly before his death in 1983, MacIvor shows us a man terrified that the talent that made him a great Playwright has deserted him. He clings to the hope, however faint, that his writing still has the "it" that the critics and audiences love because the reality is that he has to go on living though he is, to paraphrase another great playwright, "sans inspiration, sans love, sans everything."
Set in a suite of a Vancouver hotel, the play takes place on the opening night and following morning of a "new" play by The Playwright (Allan Gray). Addicted to alcohol and drugs, he is kept functional by his one time lover and Muse, The Assistant, played by David Marr. The dynamic of the relationship between Playwright and Assistant changes when the Young Man or pretty boy (Charles Gallant), hired by the Assistant to be the Playwright's escort to the opening night of the play, contrives to be kept on in the employ of The Playwright.
"The Carpenter" by Vittorio Rossi
Directed by Gordon McCall
Centaur Theatre, Montreal
October 11th, 2007
"The Carpenter" is the final play in a trilogy by Montreal playwright, Vittorio Rossi, who became playwright-in -residence at Centaur Theatre in 1987. Based on the life of Rossi's father, embodied in the character of Silvio Rosato, the trilogy presents stories of an Italian family and the settings range from Italy to Chicago to Montreal. The two previous plays, "Hellfire Pass" and "Carmela's Table", each had their premieres at the Centaur Theatre, in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons. Although I did not see parts I and II, I figured each play has to be able to stand on its own, and so it would be worthwhile ducking out early from the conference reception and paying a visit to the Centaur Theatre.
By the time "The Carpenter" takes place, Silvio (David Calderisi), and his wife Carmela (Patricia Yeatman) have lived in Ville Émard, Montreal for almost 50 years. In flashbacks from Egypt, Italy and Montreal, we learn of the war experiences of young Silvio (Richard Zeppieri) and his marriage to the young Carmela (Anita La Selva) and his friendship with Dave (Guido Cocomello). The three Rosato children brought over by Carmela from Italy are now middle-aged adults. The unmarried Liliana (Giovanna Carruba) lives with them, while divorced mother and grandmother, Maria (Ellen David) and the son, Luciano (Andreas Aspergis) visit frequently. Luciano is a playwright with writer's block, who discovers that the story he has to tell is that of his family. There seems to be more than a touch of poetic or dramatic licence with Luciano representing Rossi's autobiographic alter ego since he has written several plays and screenplays, teaches play and screenwriting and is an actor as well. Not much block there.
On my way back, gazing skyward to admire some of the buildings, I heard an urgent "pardon, mademoiselle". Delighted at the "mademoiselle" bit, rather than madame – well, people have been saying I look years younger since I retired – I stopped abruptly, just in time to avoid a huge pile of something I did not want to step in. After thanking the men for the warning, I kept my eyes on the ground on the way back to the hotel.
Apart from the occasional gastrointestinal doggie gifts, and the rather larger ones from the horses pulling the carriages near the square, the streets were remarkably clean. But even more remarkable was the relative absence of cigarette smoke that had previously made visits to Quebec so unpleasant. Perhaps it was that I was in a very touristy area, but overall there was very little smoking. A pleasant surprise.
Recent comments