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February 9th, 2012 § permalink
Break a leg to the cast and crew of Mariposa Arts Theatre’s Leaving Home, which opens tonight at the Orillia Opera House. Paul Blanche, who plays Harold in the show, sent me a copy of the beautiful poster he designed for the production:
Michael Clipperton, the director, wrote an article for the February 2012 issue of The Green Room that gives some insight into the cast’s rehearsal process. He’s kindly given me permission to quote from the piece here:
“In his first play, Leaving Home, which is based in part on his relationship with his father, the late playwright David French presents a story of troubled relationships, unspoken desires, and consequences of epic proportions. He also gives us some earthy bawdiness, some classic Newfoundland humour, and an unbridled joie de vivre. Among the questions that he asks are: What is a family? What does it mean to be a father? A mother? A son? A daughter? A husband? A wife? What does it mean to work all your life to support your family, and suddenly see that family break apart? What does it mean to be so angry that you strike the person you love most? What does it mean to feel trapped in a situation that is beyond your control? Delving into the world of the Mercer family has revealed many things to me and to the cast and crew. It has been a thought-provoking, laughter-filled journey…”
The show has eight performances, Feb. 9 to 12 and Feb. 16 to 19. Tickets are available from the Orillia Opera House box office, 705-326-8011 and online at www.orilliaoperahose.ca.
November 19th, 2011 § permalink
The National Arts Centre’s production of Salt-Water Moon has had uniformly wonderful reviews in the press. I posted links to several of them on David’s Facebook fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-French-Playwright-1939-2010/110950725649498 (Please “Like” this page if you’re not already a fan.)
Yesterday Sean Fitzgerald posted some reviews by Ottawa high school students on the NAC blog. Some of the reviews are raves, some not so much! But because the characters of Jacob and Mary are teenagers in Salt-Water Moon, it’s interesting to hear what 21st century teens have to say about those two young people of 1926.
October 26th, 2012 was the NAC’s student matinee of Salt-Water Moon. In the audience that day was Nadine Dawson and her students from Gloucester High School. The next day Karen Gilodo, NAC English Theatre Education and Outreach Coordinator, visited their classroom for a discussion on writing play reviews. She was very impressed by the students’ observations of the show and asked if we could share some of them for the NAC Blog.
Here are some quotes from their play reviews.
“The play is easily a play that almost anyone could like, it is full of humour that is easily understandable and emotion that is expressed so well you feel as if what you are watching is a real situation.” – Jake.
“…Max-Otto Fauteux the set designer, created an almost whimsical looking porch, with different dimensions and levels which created more visual interest not just as a background but also with Mac and Gauthier-Frankel’s performance…Salt-Water Moon has been played across Canada and around the world since 1984 but I definitely believe that the NAC was able to put their own stamp on this classic Canadian play.” – Emily
“Salt-Water Moon portrayed a profound sense of love and the beauty of it. Using technical elements to refine artistic interpretations and having been carefully directed by the elegant hands of Micheline Chevrier, the play has resulted into a spectacle. Using only two actors, David French conveyed all emotions one would feel during such circumstance. In conclusion the play is a worthwhile teaching of compassion, the importance of memories and the everlasting bind love can emit, and is without a doubt a worthwhile expenditure of time and money.” – Tanvir
“As far as my review of the play goes, Salt-Water Moon combined both humour and charm fairly well in under a two-hour time span and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of romantic comedy. This play targets both the issues of today and the issues of tomorrow very well in my opinion. Once again, I was engaged in the dilemmas of both Mary and Jacob and by the end of the play I had learned a lot about both Jacob and Mary’s relationship with one another. I was surprisingly satisfied.” – Taras.
“Overall, this was quite a fine production that I will rate eight stars as this heartwarming play appeals to all ages and its humour leaves you satisfied.” – Zaineb
“Jamie and Holly made a excellent performance considering they were the only two actors onstage. They managed to express their roles and make us laugh at the same time.” – Jonathan
“The October 26th Salt-Water Moon play at the NAC was a special play for Gloucester High School to attend. The general public was accompanied by other high schools from Ottawa. What I would like to know is if the public enjoyed our company or not?” – Jack
“The only exciting thing that happens in the play is when the characters argue. To summarize the play in simpler terms, Jacob and Mary argue for two hours and then they make up. The play ends very abruptly.” – David
“In this play Mary Snow was deeply hurt by Jacob’s abrupt departure, so Jacob tries to win her heart (impressing her)…Many things I liked about the play including the setting, the lighting, the sound, characters, direction, costumes.” – Amna
“…The performers did a great job. I respect them for the emotion they put into the performance. I don’t know how Newfoundland was in 1926 bit I think they nailed it. I give this a 3.5/5.” – Damien
“I won’t reveal much about the plot, but I will say that Salt-Water Moon truly is a romantic comedy, with Mary providing the romantic aspect and Jacob the comedic. The story is about young love, which almost all of us can relate to, and will leave some in tears from both the hilarity and the heart.” – Devan
“…Jacob leaves and it is a very sad moment in the play…or so I thought. Mary starts to cry and yell out “Jacob!!!” and me and a lot of my other classmates thought this was funny even though it was probably meant to be serious. That’s why I think this play is more directed toward an older age group 20+, unless you like dramatic/romantic plays that keep you on edge for the whole time. In total though, I liked the play and I would give it a 7/10.” – Nick
“I found the play rather entertaining. It only had two people in it, a man and woman. They were both terrific. The man had an air about him as if he were king of the land. The woman however acted as if she thought nothing of him for most of the play. At the end she makes him leave but then calls him back. I liked this about the play since if it ended with him leaving there would have been no point to the story considering the whole play was based on him trying to get her back.” – Noah
“To me, the play had many similarities to The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. What I would have suggested to the actors if I had the chance; I would have told them to be less outgoing. I thought their acting was rather melodramatic, so if they toned it down, it would’ve passed off as believable. However I was thoroughly impressed with the acting when Mary screamed out Jacob’s name in desperation.” – Roya.
[Karen Gilodo is Education and Outreach Coordinator for English Theatre at the National Arts Centre - Ed.]
November 15th, 2011 § permalink
Jitters is on at 8 PM tonight at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria. Here’s a photo from the show. Love the costumes!
Norman Browning, Kyle Jespersen, Ted Cole and Gerry Mackay (standing) in Jitters by David French / Photos by David Cooper
November 12th, 2011 § permalink
Jitters opens at the Belfry Theatre next week, with the first performance on Tuesday.
The production stars: Lindsey Angell, Norman Browning, Jason Clift, Ted Cole, Dean Paul Gibson, Kyle Jespersen, Gerry Mackay, Laurie Paton, and Hazel Venzon. It’s directed by Patrick McDonald and stage managed by Kim Charleen Smith; the set is designed by Charlotte Dean, the costumes by Nancy Bryant, and the lighting by John Webber.
Jitters, which is loosely based on David’s experiences with the first production of Leaving Home, is one of the funniest shows ever written. I hope that cast and crew are having a lot of fun in rehearsal! Here’s a photo of Kyle Jesperson as Robert, the frantic playwright:
October 26th, 2011 § permalink
October 24th, 2011 § permalink
Here are a few photos from Friday night’s opening at the National Arts Centre. These feature the opening of the “Writing Home: David French” exhibit that took place just prior to the opening of Salt-Water Moon.
Curators Michael Wallace of Theatre Museum Canada & Judi Pearl of the NAC with Glenda and Mary
Some of the exhibit's displays
Map of Canada highlighting SWM productions
The view from above
French family members
The photos from the celebration are by photographer Michel Dozois; the ones of the exhibit alone are by Yannick Beauvalet.
October 22nd, 2011 § permalink
Last night Mary and I, French family members, and many friends were in Ottawa at the opening of Salt-Water Moon and the “Writing Home: David French” exhibit at the National Arts Centre. It’s a wonderful show, and the exhibit is so beautifully put together! Some tears were shed, and some laughs shared by those of us who knew David; it was an altogether magical night. I’d like to thank the NAC — in particular Peter Hinton, Peter Herrndorf, Nancy Webster, Micheline Chevrier, and cast and crew of the show. I’d also like to thank the amazing Judi Pearl of the NAC, and her colleague Gerry Grace. And of course many thanks to Theatre Museum Canada, Michael Wallace in particular.
I said a few words on behalf of the family at the vernissage, and I think I’ll just share part of that speech here:
I’ve been thinking a lot about David’s work this past year, and I’ve been realizing how much of it has to do with memory. That iconic monologue from the beginning of Of The Fields, Lately, for example — the memory of a baseball game that epitomizes the son’s whole relationship with his father.
The way memories — and the device of remembering – permeate That Summer, one of David’s last plays. The memories of war that haunt Esau in Soldier’s Heart, and the collective memory of country that flows through the blood of the young lovers in Salt-Water Moon.
In the theatre, the most ephemeral of arts, the latest hit often seems to eclipse the work that came before. I know that David, particularly in the years before Soulpepper Theatre revived the Mercer plays, wondered about how – and if – his work would be remembered. This exhibit — this recognition, this remembrance of the impact his work has had and continues to have — would have meant a very great deal to him. As it means a great deal to us.
I’ll let David have the last word. Near the end of his play That Summer, the Narrator says, “Henry James thought the two most beautiful words in the English language were ‘summer afternoon.’ For me, the most beautiful have always been ‘I remember.’”
October 19th, 2011 § permalink
October 14th, 2011 § permalink
Jitters at the Ottawa Serbian Theatre
On Sunday October 16, for one night only, Jitters is playing in Serbian translation at the Ottawa Serbian Theatre! Above is the beautifully hilarious poster. David’s work continues to resonate in many languages, and around the world.
October 13th, 2011 § permalink
Break a leg to the cast and crew of Jitters at the Belleville Theatre Guild! Jitters opens tonight, kicking off the BTG’s 60th anniversary season.
Each of the shows in the season is an encore presentation. I quote from the BTG website: “For the 2011-2012 season, we have chosen five plays which we believe reflect the variety and excellence of the theatrical experiences from our history.” The other classic plays in the season include Anne of Green Gables, Wait Until Dark, Little Women, and Play It Again, Sam.
Jitters was first performed by BTG in 1982. I send them all the best, and hope to get to see the show. If you’re in the Belleville area, go see it! Details available on their website at: http://www.bellevilletheatreguild.ca/info.htm#playlist
