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the Other Press

Febuary 3, 1993

Other Arts & Review LL TT TIE Te ET ET TE

Magic Flute as Fun as a Swing in a Playground

A Breathtaking Opera as Viewed Through th

Mozart's The Magic Flute was
breathtaking. I liked the adventure
and the power of excitement. I’d go
again, and this time try to get a
better seat. Maybe not in front of
someone so tall.

The Magic Flute

Queen Elizabeth Theater
Feb. 2,4,6,8.

reviewed by Courtney So

 

With a wave of the conductors
arm the play began, and WHOOSH
there was a Prince with a dragon
close behirid. No sword in hand to
defend himself, just cries and
screams for help. With a few
spoken words from the Queen’s
three ladies, the dragon was dead
and gone.

At that moment the three
ladies fell in love with the Prince
and the story Each of the
fair ladies wanted to stay with the
Prince. Not one of them wanted to
go and tell the Queen. Of what
they were going to tell her I do not
know.

I'll tell no more of this
wonderful tale. I’m afraid I might
spoil it for you. But my favorite
scene was when Papageno and
Papagena were singing pa pa pa’s
while declaring their love for each
other.

All of the great singers, such as
David Hamilton as Prince Tamino,

Susan Patterson as Princess Pamina,
Evelyn de la Rosa as the Queen of
the Night, Brett Polegato as the bird
man Papageno, Robert Milne as the
King of the Day, Sarastro, and
Gianna Corbisiero as the bird lady

Papagena, were great projectors. Not
machines, but real flesh and bone.

Go check it out for yourself.

The conductor David Angler
was terrific. His arms swung around
like a swing out of control.

Costume designer Mara Gottler
was superb at her job. I particularly
liked the Queen of the Night and
Pamina’s costumes, because they
sparkled with silver and gold. But

amino’s costume was ugly. It
should have been green, not gold.
That little skirt thing should have
been green shorts because I think
shorts look better. Also, the feathers
on Papageno’s pants did not look
real, so I’m not sure if they should be
called feathers or just fabric.

The set artist was a very good
painter because all his paintings were
perfect 3D pictures. But the coloured
lines on the stage were very
distracting.

And the benches on the right
and left of the stage were there for
the whole show. I also found that
distracting.

I have never been to the opera
before. It had a lot of great singers
in it, and a wonderful orchestra. Go
check it out.

   

From left to right, Heidie Klassen as the !st Lady, Lori Klassen as the 3rd Lady, Norine Burgess as the 2nd Lady and

e Eyes of a Child

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David Hamilton as Tamino in the foreground.

Independent Focus: Beyond
Conscience

 

by Byrun Stedmann

Beyond Conscience hails from
Burnaby. I don’t think I’ve met a
more humble (sometimes self-
degrading) and democratic band in
my life. They all share in the song
writing duties and none of the
members put themselves in a
position of power.over the others.

Thé-members include: Ilene
Roth (vocals, piano, flute, bass, and
guitar); Jen Roth (violin, vocals,
and french horn - although not
with the band); Paul Enns (guitar
and vocals); Suseh Nevares
(drums, vocals, and bass); and
Larry Furguson (bass, acoustic/
electric guitars, and vocals).

 

It is hard to categorize their
music; sometimes it is commercial,
sometimes it is quite progressive and
original. The band has described
their music as depressing and
morose, but that is not always the
case as songs like ‘All She’s Got to
Give’ and ‘Dancing the Doorway’
indicate. The band cites a vast array
of influences, including Sarah
MacLachlan, T-Bone Burnett,
R.E.M., Rush, and The Beatles.

When I asked how their
material was shaping itself, Larry
told me that their current material
has matured somewhat with the
growth of the band, and that Beyond
Conscience has outgrown much of
it. The band is seeking to expand its
musical boundaries and create

mature, well-crafted compositions.

Live the band has shown a
great amount of energy. They get
into and feel what they play. While
all the members are somewhat self-
conscious, they get beyond that state
to let the audience in on a very
personal experience. If you get the
chance to see them live, watch for
Larry and his moose slippers.

Beyond Conscience is a band
with potential for great things. Their
material won’t be to every one’s
liking, but if you are open-minded,
then take the time to check them out.

Oh, by the way, they are
considering auditioning for a
bassoon player; contact me at the
Other Press if you are interested.

NVINGV&ALS NNUYAG ‘OLOHd

 

 

 

ATTENTION LOCAL
ORIGINAL BANDS--
SEND US YOUR DEMO
TAPES

(OR ELSE)

 

 

 

Are you in a band (or performing solo)
playing original material? If so, then drop off
a demo tape to us at the O.P; we will give it
a listen and then, maybe, we'll do a write up
on your band. See your name in print, gain
world wide notoriety, watch the masses
become completely devoted to you!!!! Okay,
okay, SO you won’t become Faith No More,
Tracy Chapman, R.E.M. or Public Enemy,
but you will get some attention thrown your
way.

(Don’t Forget to Read the Fine Print!)

All tapes become property of the Other Press, so they will not be returned. Don’t
forget to include your name(s) and phone number, and please try to send us some
photographic promotional material of yourselves. Drop all submissions off to the
submissions box at the Other Press in room 1020.