page six The Other Press ’ Thursday, November 20,1980. Red Devil Battery Sign by Jayne Akizuki Anyone with the slightest amount of interest in Van- couver’s theatre scene will have already heard some strong opinions on the Play- house’s production of the new version of Tennessee. Williams’ The Red Devil Battery Sign. People either love or hate this melodrama produced under Williams’ presence. This is not a great play; in fact I would hesitate to call it a good play. However, this is obviously a work that Williams has poured his soul into. So raw are the emo- tions, so heavy the symbol- ism and so complex the possible interpretations of the play that it stimulates and intrigues the viewer for days afterward; like it or nc, it is unforgettable, and this is what makes it worth- while to see. The plot basically con- cerns the estranged wife of the president of the Red Devil Battery Company, which is secretly planning to overtake the world. This woman, known as the Wom- Numero uno in Mexico and in Canada. 700 ml AUTENTICAS TEQUILA ELABORADO Y ENVASADO POR TEQUILA SAUZA, 8 A HECHO EN MEXICO MARCA REGISTRADA REG FED. CAUSANTES ARUAREIZNTE DE AGAVE (25) / AUTENTICAS THE BOTTLED ROMANCE OF MEXICO an Downtown, knows of these plans and tries to save humanity from the ‘‘Big Brother’’-type rule of the corporation. Troubled and highly emotional, she tries to escape her past while. having an affair with King, a former singer who lives on his memories. There is much more to the story, but to go into it any further would require at least another 1,000 words. The main problem with Bat- tery Sign is that no one, not even Williams, is entirely sure what its messages are. Are we doomed to be slaves to impersonal corporations? Can humanity save itself? Is anarchy the answer or is it only an option? The ideas are frustratingly vague. The Playhouse production makes a commendable at- tempt to sort out the text's confusion. The powerful, passionate acting helps, as does the imaginative, white- on-white sterility of the set. But ambition does not necessarily a play make. This is Battery Sign’s third performed version. Time for Williams to let it alone; if it’s not right now, it never will be. Hopefully, his next play will see a fusion of his gifts for words with a coher- ent idea to put across. Muffins at the Commodore By Tom Schoenewolf Martha and the Muffins plus Steve Blimkie and the Reason are two of the best bands to emerge from the Toronto music scene. Both bands had little tro- uble convincing the audience of this Monday night at the Commodore. Martha Johnson, lead singer, and her Muffins played a one and a quarter hour set that opened with the title cut from their new album, Trance and Dance. Although the band seem- ed slow getting started, it wasn’t long before the dance floor was full and the audi- ence began to look alive. Martha’s vocals, with help from newcomer Jean Wilson on keyboards, blended well with the bands unique new wave sound. Andy Haas’ saxaphone playing contrib- uted a large part of this sound he has the ability to compliment the music, not overpower it like many of our local bands, i.e. Powder Blues, Doug and the Slugs etc. Bassist Carl Finkle poss- esses the speed and improv- isation that many bass play- ers of new wave bands lack. His incredible riffs compen- sated for guitarist/song- writer Mark Ganes’ simplis- tic style (new wave is not generally known for its fla- shy Van Halen style guitar - Thank God!) Tom Gane, drums, round- ed off the sound with a good display of rhythm and was kind enough to spare the audience a long boring drum solo. Several cuts from the new album, including a bizarre song entitled ‘‘Primitive Weekend’’, as well as songs from Metro Music; ‘‘Echo Beach’’,‘‘Paint by Number Heart‘‘ and ‘‘Indectsion’’, were well recieved by the audience. ‘‘Cheesies and Gum’”’ was the encere song, and the bad returned for a second encore after one fan jumped on stage and yelled into the microphone, ‘‘for Christ sakes get back here!’’ Martha and the Muffins are currently on a cross Canada tour to promote their new album, which is doing very well for a band that started playing together only three years ago. Original keyboardist, Mar- tha Ladly joined the band after David Millar, one—of the founding members grew tired of performing and be- came the band’s soundman. She then left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Jean Wilson. The band enjoyed success not only in Canada but overseas as well. This is due in part to the fact that the Muffins recorded both al- bums in England where they acquired a hit in the top 10 with ‘‘Echo Beach’. This lead to sucessful sales in Australia as well, Starting the band on an international career. Opening act, Steve Blim- kie and the Reason, is a Toronto band that is also doing well with the release of their new self-titled al- bum. Paul McGrath of the Tor- onto Globe and Mail (long ~ live Thomson!) has called the bands new album ‘‘one of the best local products in the past year.”’ Steve Blimke told the audience at the Commodore that ‘“‘large dance floors scare me’’ and proceeded to play a set of good fast rock’n’roll that set the mood for a good night of music from the Metro city.