P

 

 

NOVEMBER 23RD 1983

OT HE R

THE OTHER PRESS _ .

‘PAGE 11

ENTERTAINMENT

 

Once Upon aMattress Certainly no Sleeper

I went to opening pe
Thur. Nov. 17, to see the
musical ‘‘Once Upon A
Mattress’’ at the James

by Patricia Burr

 

Cowan Theatre, in Heritage
Village, Burnaby.

The show was put to-
gether by the Heritage Mus-
ical Theatre Company and
accompanied by a 14 piece
Douglas College student
band directed by Henry
Waack. The show was
choreographed by Mauryne
Allan who was initially train-
ed in Vancouver.

The story is loosely based
‘on Hans Christian Ander-
sen’s story, The Princess
and the Pea. Queen Aggra-
vain who is played by Bever-
ly Adams is looking for a
princess for her son, Prince
Dauntless, who is played by
Murray MacDougal. Until
she finds one, no one is
allowed to mary in the
Kingdom.

Princess Winnifred, play-
ed by Dawn Flanagam, ap-
plies for the job, ard is
_tested in the fairy tale way.
Here the traditional story
takes a twist, the nature of
which I won't give away.
The Prince and Princess in
true fairy tale fashion, marry
and live happily ever after.

The story line was easy to
follow and lively in presen-
tation. The acting was en-
thusiastic and generally
good.

Dawn Flanagam as _ the
Princess Winnifred, (Fred
for short), is a comica
lovable down to earth char-
acter, won the heart of het
Prince and the audience
because she swam the moat.

Ed Milaney as the King
Sextimus the Silent, did a
comical version of the hen-
pecked husband. He was
rendered mute when a spell
was cast on him. As a result,
he does some excellent pan-
tomime. He is very easy to
understand even though he
does not speak until the end

 

MONTREAL [CUP]- Leigh-
ton Ford, Ontario’s answer
to Billy Graham, preached to
the converted last weekend
in Montreal.

- After describing how he

 

 

 

fell in love with his wife over
an orange drink at a Boston
Bruins - Atlanta Flames
hockey game, he said: ‘‘We
have made sex into an

animal thing. It’s just like
eating a hamburger.”’

 

of the show.

Beverly Adams as: the
Queen Aggravain made me
despise the character, a
neccessity in accepting the
ending of the play.

Murray MacDougal as the
Prince Dauntless plays the

Hy one minor problem with
a lighting gel that came
loose, although the actors
were well seasoned enough

that the disturbance did not

throw off the actors.
The costumes were very
colourful and elaborate.

““Once Upon A Mattress’’
is running at the James
Cowan Theatre Nov. 24-26
and Dec. 1-3 at 3:00 p.m.,
with Matinees Nov. 26 and
Deck 47. at 2:00 p.m. Ad-
mission for adults is $6,

students and seniors $5, and

 

mousy son who is totally
dominated by his mother,
until he falls in love and
finds the courage to stand

up to her.
Gordon Doerkson, the
Minstrel who sings the

opening prologue and nar-
rates the entire play was
effective both as a tenor and
as a narrator.

The rest of the cast did a
variety of dancing and sing-
ing that was well chore-
ographed and orchestrated.

The standard of acting
was higher than the. stan-
dard of music, although
Dwayne Campbell who plays
Sir Harry sang a memorable
series of duets, although he
was vocally mismatched.

The stage props. were
simple and sparse. There

children $4.

 

How to talk

to your teenagers

We all know going out is fun, and
no parent wants to take away those good
times. But these days, with teenagers in
and out of cars so much, it’s crucial that
they understand the dangers of drinking
and driving, and that they can avert

. potential trouble by making the right

decisions.

First, set your son or daughter
straight on this often-misunderstood fact:
beer, wine and spirits—in excess, all three
are just as dangerous on the road.

A good way of avoiding trouble is to
plan ahead. Suggest that your teenagers
review their evening before going out. If
they see drinking involved, far better to
leave the car at home than to take chances
later behind the wheel.

Far better also to say no to a drink,
to refuse to drive, or to turn down a
lift with an impaired friend than to go
along with the crowd and maybe regret it.

You can support your teenagers and
give them confidence by letting them
know that if they ever need help you'll go
for them, pay their cab or do whatever is
necessary to get them home safely.

Most important, be a good example.
Never drive if you’ve had even one drink
too many. Better still, don’t let it come
to that. Know your limit and stay within it.

about drinking & driving

to your parents

If you’re not of legal drinking age,
don’t touch a drop. But if you are, and you
drive, then you’re old enough to do your
part in reaching an agreement with your
parents on the subject.

Sure they worry. Because even if you
don’t drink, others in your group may.
The friend driving you home one night
may have had too much.

Show that you’re equally concerned.
Get serious. For instance, what have you
read lately about the dangers of drinking
and driving? Do you know how much
beer, wine or spirits your body can safely
handle before your judgment becomes
impaired? Do you know the law in your
province? And what happens if you break it?

Get the facts and discuss them calmly.
Then take the initiative and propose a few
family ground rules.

No driving if you’ve been drinking
beyond your limit. (We’ll send you a
valuable free chart on responsible limits
if you write us.) No riding with a friend
who’s been drinking. And convince your
parents if a situation ever turns dicey,
you won’t hesitate to phone for help.

Finally, remind your parents you’re
concerned for their safety, too, and that
the family rules on drinking and driving
apply to them, as well.

Seagram

We believe in moderation and
we've been saying so since 1934.

‘P.O. Box 847, Stn. H, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 2M8