arts&entertainment
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2012 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A31
Theatre productions do Dickens and Dancing
T
his woman would be such a riot at a party. The star of Dickens’ Women, Miriam Margolyes is a little gnome of a woman, barely five feet tall, bosomy and with a froth of silvery white curls framing a merry, almost cherubic, face. At just over 70, she has more sparkle in her eyes than a warehouse full of Waterford crystal, more mischief in her smile than a kid with a pocketful of firecrackers. And, wow, does she know her Dickens. I may never have read a Dickens novel cover to cover; a half-page description of a wart probably did me in. But I might just give Dickens another try after spending an evening with this British actress whose impressive bio includes the Order of the British Empire in 2002 for her services to drama. Margolyes makes a clear distinction: Dickens, the writer, was brilliant; Dickens, the man, was not very nice — a misogynist, amongst other faults. She mocks his oft-repeated glorification of young women with bright eyes, bouncing curls, blushing complexions and sweet natures — all of whom turn out to be 17. “I find them all rather icky,” she says, twinkling all over. Don’t worry if you’re not up on your Dickens. Solo performer and co-writer (with director Sonia Fraser), Margolyes provides context for each of the characters that she so lovingly crafts and she connects many of them to Dickens’ own history. Highlight of the evening is an extended scene from Oliver Twist. Margolyes, as Mr. Bumble, looks like a fat toad with a lecherous leer as he woos simpering, giddy Mrs. Corney. “Oh, Mr. Bumble, I shall scream,” Mrs. Corney cries in feigned outrage as Mr. Bumble attempts a kiss. “I love doing this scene,” Margolyes confesses, “because it combines sexual and economic greed in the same scene.” Still bubbling over with merriment at 70-odd years, just imagine Margolyes at 17. Dickens would have been enraptured. —reviewed by Jo Ledingham
DICKENS’ WOMEN
At the Cultch until Dec. 1 Tickets: 604-251-1363 thecultch.com
••• Have you ever noticed the similarity between Dancing at Lughnasa and The Glass Menagerie? In both, a man (the narrator) imagines revisiting his past; standing to one side, he looks back into the family home with affection mixed with guilt at having abandoned his sister(s). In Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, Tom left his mother Amanda and pathologically shy, club-footed sister Laura. In Irish writer Brian Friel’s play, Michael (Alen Dominguez) walked out on his mother and her four spinster sisters leaving them to fight poverty and the joyless rigidity of the Irish Catholic Church. Dancing at the pagan harvest festival, the Lughnasa, is forbidden but oh, how Maggie (Courtney Shields), Agnes (Georgia Beaty), Michael’s unmarried mother Chris (Emma Johnson) and Rose (Pippa Johnstone) would love to hoist their skirts and dance with the abandon of their Ballybeg neighbours. But Kate (Tracy Schut), the eldest, puts a stop to any thoughts of dancing.
DANCING AT LUGHNASA
At Frederic Wood Theatre until Dec. 1 Tickets: 604-822-2678, theatre.ubc.ca
Santa Barbara
MARKET
GROCERIES
Boneless Baccalà ......................................... Spiga di Puglia Pasta ............................500g Milano Panettone Cello .........................907g La Molisana Strained Tomatoes ..........700ml San Remo Sundried Tomatoes............370ml Nutkao Chocolate Spread .....................750g Emma Roasted Peppers.........................1.5L La Molisana Beans..............................540ml San Remo Tortellini...............................250g Cucina Gnocchi.....................................500g Saquella Gran Gusto & Gran Crema coffee ..250g La Molisana Olives..............................398ml San Remo Roasted Peppers................500ml Rio Mare Tuna ......................................160g Valli Eggplant Hot & Mild.....................750ml La Molisana Artichokes.......................398ml Cedar Dolmades ........................................... La Molisana Espresso Coffee ................250g Gran Forno Grissini .................................100g Emma Extra Virgin Olive Oil.......................1L Mastro Extra Virgin Olive Oil ........................3L
$7.95 lb 89¢ $3.99 $1.05 $2.55 $3.99 $4.67 99¢ $1.69 $1.29 $1.99 99¢ $2.55 $2.69 $3.99 $2.19 $2.15 $1.99 $1.09 $3.75 $13.99
PRODUCE
Mandarins ........................................................59¢ lb Bartlett Pears....................................................59¢ lb BC Spartan Apples............................................39¢ lb Spinach ............................................................89¢ ea
Roma Tomatoes................................................ 79¢ lb
Miriam Margolyes holds court in the one-woman show Dickens’ Women at the Cultch until Dec. 1.
In a time-honoured tradition of Irish drama, Gerry (Matt Reznek), a charming scoundrel drops into the Mundy sisters’ lives then drops out again, leaving behind only broken promises. As a counterpoint to Catholicism comes Michael’s Uncle Jack (Kenton Klassen), a disgraced priest recently returned from Uganda. Sent to convert villagers, he has, instead, enthusiastically embraced paganism. Ballybeg’s parish priest makes sure that Kate, the main breadwinner, loses her teaching position as if she is somehow tainted by brother Jack. Dancing at Lughnasa is not all gloom but the pervasive mood is bittersweet touched by Michael’s regret at having moved on as, he says, “young men do.” —JL
DELI
Continental Beer Sausage.............................. 67¢ 100g
Continental Black Forest Ham ....................... 69¢ 100g Continental Honey Ham................................. 69¢ 100g Continental Roast Beef Plain & Garlic ............ 95¢ 100g Continental Hungarian Salami................... $1.38 100g
Continental Chorizo Salami ....................... $1.38 100g Mastro Prosciutto Cotto................................. 88¢ 100g
Mastro Genoa Salami Hot & Mild............... $1.38 100g
San Daniele Mortadella............................. $1.08 100g
San Daniele Prosciutto............................... $1.79 100g
Casa Italia Calabrese & Sopressata............$1.49 100g Casa Italia Prosciutto Salami......................$1.55 100g Casa Italia Prosciutto ................................. $1.79 100g Emma Parma Prosciutto ............................$2.19 100g
CHEESE
Saputo Special Mozzarella ........................ $1.22 100g Emma Old White Cheddar ............ $1.39 100g Emma Medium Orange Cheddar .. $1.39 100g
Emma Provolone....................................... $1.39 100g Marble Cheddar ........................................ $1.39 100g Saputo Brick Cheese................................. $1.39 100g Canadian Edam ......................................... $1.41 100g
Emma Fruilano ......................................... $1.55 100g Stella Mild Asiago ..................................... $1.68 100g Emma Crotonese ...................................... $1.99 100g Manchego Cheese .................................... $2.67 100g
1322 COMMERCIAL DRIVE 604-253-1941 Prices effective Wednesday, November 21 to Sunday, November 25, 2012