Continued from Page 16 Bard on the Beach Iain Reeve, OP Thespian Courter side of the studio stage. Minimalism triumphs as the simple design brings us convincingly into both the battlefields and political halls of the once-proud Roman empire. _ Perhaps moreso than any other production at this year’s festival, the characters most dependent on strong performances get them here. Scott Bellis’s performance as Brutus is immediately engaging. His deep inner struggle with what he will and ultimately does do is never doubted. The sincerity in his eyes pulls the audience into his fear, his pain, and his malice. Equally strong, especially when paired together, is David Mackay’s Cassius. The audience is pulled skillfully back and forth between detesting him and feeling some sympathy for a man who may have acted in the best interests of his people. Last, though his role is ironically small, Allan Morgan’s Caesar is a beacon that cannot be ignored when onstage. Except for a few problems resulting from the small number of players filling out an enormous cast, Caesar is an otherwise fantastic production that repeatedly gave me chills, and not just because of the rain and wind that awaited us outside. Many think that Timon of Athens (pronounced ti-men) may have been written in collaboration with another writer, as it has an unusually varied tone and an odd structure. While most of Shakespeare’s plays follow multiple stories and have many asides, Timon, with the exception of a single scene, stays fixed on the title character. A man of significant wealth, Timon elects to spread his wealth amongst those around him, giving gifts and doling out favours left, right, and centre. However, when suddenly the well of his wealth runs dry, and the creditors are almost literally knocking down the door, Timon returns to the friends to whom he has been so benevolent to ask for help. When they all refuse him, Timon forsakes society and runs off to the wild. David Mackay’s Timon is by far the most essential performance, as he carries the action through the entire production. His genuine kindness turns convincingly to anguish and venom. His benevolence is every bit as engrossing as his rage and the audience is pulled in with him. Bard veteran Allan Zinyk turns in a scene-stealing performance as cynical philosopher Apemantus. His stage posture alone garners chuckles, and his scene where he accuses the newly defeated Timon of stealing his cynical idiom is one of the strongest in the play. The most engaging aspect of the play’s production is the live music and sound effects, provided by Joelysa Pankanea and Mark Haney. Armed with a vibraphone, double bass, a box of sand, and a bag of coins, the pair create a unique and more lively soundscape than I have ever seen at Bard — though I must admit looking off the stage to see how they were making the various sounds occasionally distracted from the action on stage. The one fault of Timon is the play itself. It leads with a strong first half, an engaging start to the second half, and then ends very abruptly, part of why many Say it is probably incomplete. Though, for those looking for something they’ve never seen before, or to see something that is a stark contrast to other works of Shakespeare, this is an interesting piece, and well worth the time. As usual, the festival turns out a number of dynamic productions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Bard is running until September 23, and there are still a few tickets left to some of the final shows. sd (r5Y.V-1 10). Vo - EXMPERIENCE > TRAVE! Learn about a wide variety of study, travel, volunteer, internship and work abroad opportunities. Meet face-to-face with representatives from over 100 organizations. Check out hourly seminars with in-depth information on specific programs. Enter for your chance to win Visitor Draw Prizes. Vote for your favourite photo in the 2007 Trayel with Purpose Photo of the Year Competition! od OMCs) ol-r<| <1 -1 eLhem (el) Le Ln eld of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas, will be on hand to answer questions and will present © cer TARILAT UES [= Viol MOY =) 01-1] (CM (ol mEsiel alle] 0] (oe Exclusive Offer! The new rele new articles during the G e of the 4th edition of The BIG Guide, with 35 3D ROM is specially priced at $40, only. fave) gey-(e Marly Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, East Building 999 Canada Place, Hall A, Level One MONDAY, SEPT 17 & TUESDAY, SEPT 18: 2:30 PM TO 7:30 PM FREE ADMISSION {ITRAVEL te See the wortd your way INGLE WWW.GOABROADFAIR.CA Canada INTERNATIONAL www.GoAbroadinsurance.com verge... 18 Organized by: CEC Network Réseau des CEC BROOKLYN PUB WATERFRONT LOUNGE 250 Columbia St. 604.517.2966 www.brooklyn.ca THURSDAY IS