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Reviews/Interviews/At theStageDoor |
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Written by Web Master
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Friday, 12 October 2007 |
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Page 5 of 5 Shirley's Edstedt's Journals (many thanks Shirley!) Hamlet & The Three Musketeers, Festival Theatre Stratford Ontario June 4, 2000
Well, I got a good night's sleep, and am ready to impart some Stratford/Toronto wisdom. This will be rather long, so be warned...
I arrived in Toronto very late Thursday night, in the middle of a violent thunder storm. I am of a mind that thunder storms are cool, unless you're in an airplane! Then they are definitely scary.
I met up with my dear friend Pamela on Friday and we set off exploring Toronto. We went to the downtown HardRock, there are two of them in Toronto, to purchase the obligatory T-shirt, and discovered The Bay, Hudson Bay. Of course I had to go hug a Hudson Bay blanket, couldn't afford to actually carry it out of the store though. Leaving the parking garage we took a wrong turn and ended up in the Cabbagetown area of Toronto, which, I have on good authority, is where Dean McDermott lives. We really did come upon it accidentally! I have decided to use this area of Toronto in my next "Layers" FIC, where Renny goes in search of his 'real' mother. Somehow fitting, don't you think?
After leaving Cabbagetown behind, we went exploring the lake front, looking for the Palace Pier Apartments, of MML fame. Even tho Pam is not the greatest of Due South fans, she did read the Judas Kiss, and loved it. We did not find the building on this night, tho we did find it before we left.
Saturday was spent at Niagara Falls. We had both been there before, but had only seen the falls from the American side. If you ever get the chance to see Niagara, you MUST see it from the Canadian side, much better. We did the whole tourist thing, the Maid of the Mist boat ride, the Behind the Falls tour etc, etc, etc. On our way back to the car we stopped at the HardRock, for the obligatory T-shirt, and literally stumbled into an RCMP Outpost Store. The sidewalk was torn up and it was necessary to walk across a plywood bridge to get to it. I, of course, bought the obligatory Musical Ride T-shirt.
Sunday we left very early for Stratford, where we met up with Gretchen for the back stage tour. To say that she had not fully recovered from seeing the play and having Mr. Gross's 'paws' on her would be a 'gross' (sorry, couldn't resist) understatement! Gretchen- have you washed the hand that touched him yet?
Any of you that get the chance really need to take the tour, it's fascinating.
The three of us then set off to exploring the Perth County countryside, which reminds me very much of the area where I used to live, Maryland and Southern Pa. We ate lunch near the lake in a litte town and bored Pam with discussions of DS, FIC and PG. Actually I don't think Pam was bored, she must have listened to some of the things I said because of what she did after the play...but that comes later. The three of us spent a very enjoyable day together. Talking to someone, in person, that understands where these obsessions come from is very...validating.
Monday my anticipation was really beginning to build. Pam and I went to a butterfly exhibit in Breslau and visited the Amish area around St. Jacobs. No T-shirts, but a lot of souvenirs. If you have the time, these are must see places to go.
By Tuesday I could hardly contain myself. You must understand, I am usually a quiet, rather docile fan. I only moaned once when I saw the Beatles live at Dodger Stadium. But by Tuesday morning I had converted the owner of our B&B and her cousin to PG fans, and elicited a promise from both that they would watch the show. I had about driven Pam to distraction and gotten the other guest at the B&B to change her plans and stay an extra day to see Hamlet.
Now for a brief critique of the play. If you are going to see it you are in for a real treat. If you are thinking about it, DO IT! It is not sold out, and the night we were there there were still good seats available. It's hard for me to be objective, but I can say that PG's rendition of Hamlet is the funniest I have ever seen. Hamlet, dragging the body of Polonius off the stage and calling out from the wings "Night, Mother" brought the house
down. I will forever have etched in my mind the vision of Hamlet dancing across the stage waving a tambourine on top of his head.
It was not without its poignant moments too. The scene of Hamlet dying in Horatio's arms brought tears to my eyes, not only because they were best friends, but because the actors themselves are friends.
There were also a few PG moments in the play, where his mannerisms just shouted at any DS fan. The fingernail across the eyebrow, the licking his lips in thought, the laugh, so much like we would have loved to hear more of from Benton Fraser, but especially his smile. Okay, here's where I cannot be objective, his smile lit up the theatre. He wasn't perfect though. After the duel with Laertes, Hamlet was on his hands and knees, facing the audience, and Paul Gross could not get up. He was winded, and it took him a moment to catch his breath. He smiled at the audience, cocked his head as he is wont to do, and shrugged slightly. Then he was up and 'at em' again. He was probably embarrassed, but I found it extremely endearing.
The sheer physicality (I hope that's the word I want) of Paul's interpretation of Hamlet was beautiful. Just as we saw in Murder Most Likely, PG is able to swing from one mood to the exact opposite with a speed that amazes and delights an audience.
By the time the play ended I was exhausted from just watching PG act. Not to mention the whole emotional rollercoaster of the play. I decided then and there I had to see it again. I do have to give credit to the rest of the cast. There were several times during the performance that I found myself so engrossed in the play that I forgot to watch Paul. Now that's saying something for the other actors!
After the play, on the advice of Gretchen, I took my Hamlet poster and camera and went to wait at the stage door. I was surprised at the small number of people that waited with us, I want to say about 6. When Paul came out I was surprised at his stature. He was much shorter that I expected him to be, and almost hesitant to come near those waiting. I got the definite impression he was shy about signing autographs, and when I asked him if he minded if I had my picture taken with him, he seemed surprised that I would want it.
He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, but you couldn't prove by me what color. I was just so excited to be standing next to him. He had rollerblades slung over his shoulder, to escape from adoring fans?, I hope not. Pam took our picture as I asked him about his humorous interpretation of Hamlet. He told me he had always thought Shakespeare was funny, and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to portray him in that way. That's
about the time that my dear friend Pam embarrassed the hell out of me. She's taking our picture, has nothing to lose, so she says to Mr. Gross "Shirley's a writer too."
I wanted to die right there on the spot, but was thrilled when he stopped signing another person's program and smiled at me. I don't remember his exact words, the smile causing every rational thought to fly right out of my head, but Pam says he said "Really? What do you write?"
And I said something totally inane like "I write stories based on the DS characters."
"Yeah? Do you write slash?" About now I wanted to find the nearest rock to hide under.
Instead I said something totally stupid "No I write primarily about Turnbull" which caused him to laugh. "Well I guess there's a lot left to the imagination there." And then he set about signing other autographs.
He did tell us that he used the rollerblades to relax prior to a performance, that he found skating a way to lose himself and get into character. (So if you're in the area around the river prior to a performance you might just let PG skate right over you!) Then he said he had to go because friends were giving him a lift and they were going to kill him. One of the women waiting there said something like "Please don't let them kill you, we've seen you die once tonight, and I don't think any of us could stand to see it happen again." That caused him to laugh. I could sit for hours and just listen to that man laugh.
It took me three hours to finally get to sleep that night, and as I said before, I decided that I had to see the play again. On Tuesday Pam and I had gotten tickets to see the Three Musketeers, and on Weds we saw that play. After the play is when I got David Keeley's autograph. I think Pam was rather taken with Mr. Keeley. I was surprised at how big a man he is. I always thought he and Paul were about the same size. David makes a wonderful Duke of Buckingham! The Musketeers is another must see play, so totally different from Hamlet, but a bawdy, funny, physical romp that just never stops. The swordplay and dancing are marvelous, in fact the entire play is extremely well choreographed.
After the play on Wednesday I got tickets for Hamlet and Musketeers for October. My husband has graciously agreed to an anniversary trip to Stratford! I am in the front row! (Husband too, of course, but who'll notice?)
Hamlet/Three Musketeers Festival Theatre in Stratford Ontario October 24, 2000
I have just enough time before I leave on another business trip to recount my exploits in Stratford.
When I went the last time I was sad to leave, but knew I would be back. This time I really did have trouble leaving, since I wasn't sure if I would ever see the place again. To say I am in love with the town is a major understatement. Even my husband, who I had to bribe to go with me, thinks it would be a great place to retire.
Any way, the weather was so spectacular that we bought sandwiches from the York St Kitchen (a fantastic place to eat, BTW) and had a picnic by the theater on the river - twice in two days. I even bought a painting by a rather well known artist of the river with the theater in the background.
We saw Hamlet on Thursday night. For those of us who saw it early in the season, Paul is even more physical now than he was then. His stamina is incredible. He stood right in front of me, and watching his eyes was a wonder to behold. He was Hamlet, no doubt about it, to his soul, he was the character. He looked right at me several times, (I was to the left of the stage, front row, aisle seat) and I was certain that it was Hamlet's eyes he looked through. He perspired heavily, but during the fencing match he was much lighter on his feet this time around. I am constantly amazed at how effortlessly he changes emotions. His range is amazing, and I am obviously not the only one to notice. Several things have changed from the performance I saw in June, but I am not going to spoil it for those of you who have yet to attend.
I went to the stage door after the performance, my husband actually insisted that I do so, and I am so glad I did. I met and spoke at length with the most wonderful man - David Keeley. There were very few people there and when he came out first I found myself anxious to speak to him. You have to understand, I am not an outgoing person with strangers, especially celebrities, but there was something about him, I think it was the way he smiled at me. When I approached him, he seemed honored to be asked for an autograph, and made quite a fuss about the other actors. When I told him I had seen him in Three Musketeers, and would see it again the next night, he was surprised that I would have come all the way across the US to see him. He was so charming and warm, and I spoke with him for several minutes, completely at ease with him. He asked all kinds of questions about me and seemed genuinely interested in the answers.
I was really blown away by his humility and openness. He even asked me to come back the next night and let him know how his performance compared with his performance in June! When Paul finally came out, David actually thanked me for speaking with him.
A truly remarkable man.
ShirleyGross and Keeley Appearance at Edmonton’s Winspear Theatre Jan 29, 2001Hi All - This has turned out to be a very long message, but I think most of you wanted to hear about it so here goes.
As most of you have probably figured out from my gushings over my encounter with David Keeley at Stratford, I absolutely love that man. Seeing them in concert last night (my God! was that just last night?) has done nothing to dim the glow. He is the perfect straight man for stand up comedy performed by Paul. He's also very TALL!
Anyway, regarding the concert, what can I say? The new CD is fabulous, but seeing them actually perform it was more than I could have possibly imagined. Even the hubby, who really does like their music -- really -- enjoyed it.
The new album is called 'Give the Dog a Bone'. The story behind the title goes something like this: while taking a cab from the airport in Nashville, Paul struck up a conversation with the cabbie. He was asking him questions while lighting a cigarette (he did mention that he has since quit smoking) and the cabbie said 'give the dog a bone'. Our ever perceptive Mountie type had no idea what the gentleman was referring to, so he asked him to repeat himself --twice. Finally the frustrated driver yelled 'gimme a cigarette!"
The songs on the album, in the order listed on the cover are:
1. Give the Dog a Bone (Paul described this song in one word -- LOUD, and he was
correct)
2. Cherry Beach
3. No Business
4. If Heaven Had a Backdoor (my personal favorite of David's)
5. Secret in Your Eyes (perfect for Paul's gravelly voice, and VERY well
performed. Ladies-- you need to close your eyes and imagine him singing it
directly to you)
6. Family Matters
7. Other Side of Life (another of my favorites)
8. Jerusalem (Paul tried to convert the audience -- to what I'm not sure, but
I'll do it, in the back of a '32 Ford!)
9. Gone with the Wind (this is David's love song)
10. Crime of the Mind (this is a working title and I can't for the life of me
remember what the other title they're considering is)
11. Kickin' His Shadow
12. Paris
13. Blame it on Nashville (I call this one the 'Owl song' because David does a
bunch of 'hoo hoos'. This is also the song that refers briefly to Hamlet)
14. Clouds (Paul said that they wouldn't mix this one in Nashville because it
refers to 'God damn love', so they had to take it back to Ottawa because they
are all heathen there. He also said that that probably meant that the album
wouldn't sell in the US, at least until we get another Democratic president.
Everyone laughed, but I didn't see what was so funny, he's right!)
15. Holy Love (the mixer in Nashville referred to this trac as the 'razor and
rope' song) Beautiful but depressing song.
They also performed most, if not all, of the songs from 'Two Houses'. I was astonished, and very sorry, when they ended the concert before doing 'Ride Forever'. But, after no one would leave without at least one curtain call, they came back on and brought down the house with 'Ride Forever'.
We sat in the eighth row; center and the seats were perfect. The Winspear Theatre for Music is rather small, 1900 seats, and there were probably about 600 people there. Paul said it was the largest group they had ever appeared before, he said they don't ever get asked to perform in public, so if anyone had a backyard they'd come sing for their supper. While I doubt that, I do have a great backyard!
Oh! I forgot to tell you about the toilet paper. Remember what I said about stand up comedy? Well Paul left David speechless when he told the audience that he'd had a shower backstage and there was nothing to dry off with except toilet paper, so he was on stage damp and sticky. Poor David had absolutely no comeback.
As much as I love 'Two Houses', I think this album is better. I think their music has matured remarkably . There seems to be so much more emotion behind their words. I say their music has matured, because Paul seems to look younger every time I see him. My husband, ever one to state the obvious said 'I thought he was in his forties, he looks like a teenager'. He also acted like a teenager. When they came back on stage after the intermission, David said that Paul needed to sit down, because he'd been running around backstage and wore himself out. They also had numerous false starts with the band, and had a huge amount of fun.
I could go on and on, but I think I've already done that. You need to be sure you get the CD when it's released. I'm not sure when that's going to happen, but it should be soon.
Shirley Mama Mia! at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto July 1, 2001 I travel in my work. I travel a lot and I am away from home much of the time. But I got to thinking while I was in Toronto that I am very grateful for the opportunity to travel because of the frequently flyer miles and hotel points I have accumulated. Without them I would not have been able to experience the marvel that is Mama Mia! I am a 'play goer'. I love everything from light opera to Shakespeare to civic theater to elementary school pageants. I have seen everything from Rex Harrison in Camelot, Lauren Bacall, Carol Burnett on stage, to my next door neighbor's daughter in Annie. I love regional and civic theater and even high school productions. And it seems most every play I see is the best one I have ever seen, until I see the next one. And now we get to 'Mama Mia'. I loved it completely, totally and without a doubt it is the funniest play I have ever seen. I am sure that opinion will not change, no matter how many plays I seen in the future.
Let me add this disclaimer: it is almost impossible for me to be objective when it comes to David Keeley. Add Camilla Scott to the mix, and you see my dilemma.
Having said all that, here goes:
I don't know what I expected when I heard about Mama Mia! Don't get me wrong, I like ABBA, I mean, what's not to like. Right? My first thoughts were: well, I'll go see it because David is in it, but it will probably be hokey, or some sort of retro costume thingy with lots of big hair and spandex. And I was partially right, about the spandex at least, but I was also VERY wrong.
The play started with a crescendo that raised the audience about two inches out of our seats, and we were never really relaxed again, until the first of two major disappointments of the play - intermission. The second disappointment was when it was over.
The music started us on something akin to a roller coaster ride, and we never got the chance to catch our breath for the entire 2 1/2 hours of the trip. It was brilliant, thrilling, poignant, raunchy, heartwarming and hilarious. I cried for sadness and I cried from laughter. I was very glad I was wearing a dress, because if I had been wearing pants I would have very surely popped the button from the belly laughs.
Mascara warning here ladies, if you see the play, wear the waterproof kind. There are some really touching spots. David (Sam) and Camilla (Donna) standing on opposite sides of the stage, stage front, singing 'SOS' while staring up into their respective spots had me in tears from the first bar. I bought the CD made by the London cast, and I must say that their rendition is pathetic compared to David and Camilla! (no bias on my part, of course)
My play buddy, Pamela, and I were in the front row, and during this song David was standing right in front of us. I could see his eyes sparkling in the light, and the perspiration on his upper lip (way too sexy!) and the way he sang right from his heart just took mine and twisted it until it broke in two.
But I digress. The premise of the play is simple, but not simplistic. Girl and boy fall in love on a tiny Greek island, but he is already committed to another. He leaves her to return to his commitments, and the girl tries to heal her broken heart with two other men. The upshot is that she discovers she is pregnant, but not sure who the father is.
20 years later her daughter is getting married and wants her father there. By reading her mother's diary she finds that her father could be one of 3 different men. She invites all three to the wedding, unbeknownst to her mother.
Camilla (Donna), of course, is the mother. Man, can that woman sing! She looked terrific, very slender, but not skinny. Her hair is very long again, and curly. She and her two friends sang 'Chiquitita' and 'Dancing Queen' and I thought I would die from laughter. They pranced all over the stage and in general had riotous fun.
Donna is a very stern character, but put all thoughts of Meg Thatcher out of your mind. Donna has just been hurt, and is afraid of being hurt again. She is very proud that she has been able to make it on her own raising a daughter, and does not want any help, or anything else from the three 'dads', especially Sam.
As the three dads begin to realize that the young girl, Sophie, might be theirs, they react in different ways. Sam tells her that he has always wanted a daughter, as he has two sons. Only later do we find out he is unhappily divorced, and has always been in love with Donna.
I'm not going to spoil the ending for anyone, but sufficed to say there are a lot of surprises at the end.
I will say that the finale is a whopper! Imagine Camilla in skintight, day glow lime green spandex spangled with silver sequins and 3 inch silver platform boots, dancing and singing 'Dancing Queen'.
Now imagine DAVID in skintight gold spandex, spangled with silver sequins and 3 inch silver platform boots dancing and singing 'Dancing Queen!!! That makes him, what, 6'7"? Or is that a different height when calculated in metric measurements? :) I was very impressed with his dancing ability. He was very agile for a man of his size.
After the last regular number no one in the audience was able to stay in their seats. For the two numbers that comprised the finale everyone was up whooping and clapping and dancing to the music. The image of Sam and Donna, singing, pressing their backs together, writhing to the music will forever be imprinted in my memory.
I can only repeat the same one word comment I heard over and over again as I left the theater 'Wonderful'!
And am I going to see it again when David makes his Broadway debut? Damn straight! Try keeping me away!
Would I go to Broadway to see it if David wasn't in it? No. But I would try my best to see it again regionally. It is a play not to be missed, even if you don't have the opportunity to see it with DK.
After the play . . .
Everything I ever needed to know I learned from David Keeley:
After the play we had the opportunity to meet with David. He seems to have lost weight, and looked to me to be much thinner than he was in Stratford, not that he was overweight then, mind you. Must be that huge physical workout he gets 8 times a week! But he looks terrific. As Pamela fumbled with the camera, he had his arm around me for a little longer than absolutely necessary, but not nearly long enough for me, so I can tell you he feels terrific too! He looked relaxed and not the least bit tired.
He signed autographs and posed for pictures of course, but also chatted with us for quite awhile. He hedged quite a bit when I asked him when the CD is going to be released. He said that they were supposed to be touring this summer, but he'd been 'rather busy'. No kidding. August seems to be the best bet for a release date. It will be called 'Songs of Love and Carnage', so there's yet another title for the challenge.
'Cherry Beach', while performed by David was actually written by Paul. So we can worry about both those boys and the lyrics they write!
Speaking of the challenge, I gave David the collection of GtDaB stories that some of us from the RedSuitsYou Fiction List had written, in printed form. I explained to him and also attached a letter explaining what they were and how they came about. I was a little surprised at how interested he seemed. He took the folder and said "Really?" he paged through it and then smiled at me and said, in all seriousness, "Really! This is really something, thank you very much". I think he was very pleased. I hope he feels the same way after he reads them!
I am positive that I have forgotten something, but by now I'm sure you get the idea!
ShirleyUrinetown in Toronto September 4, 2004 Okay, I'll get Stratford out of the way first. We saw Midsummer Night's Dream and it was very good. The costumes and the rigging for the 'flying' fairies was especially impressive. A couple of actors missed their notes which left some of the vocals a little lacking, but Thom Marriott really stole the show. All in all a better experience than Felicity had with her play. Now on to Urinetown. My favorite scene for David was when he sang 'Cop Song'. My favorite act in the play, however, was the song 'Run River Run' and David wasn't even on the stage. The most fun for me was seeing David frolic, or perhaps the more appropriate term would be cavort all over the stage. Whatever word you use to describe it - he really cut loose. I watched some of the audience reaction to him (ever the protective fan) and was truly pleased to see so many people respond to him with laughter and applause. His deadpan delivery was right on the money and the audience really appreciated it. And, just as with Mama Mia! I was impressed with how well the man moves. I was afraid that the producers of Manchurian Candidate might have made him gain weight for the movie role, since he seemed so large and imposing on screen. But as you can tell from Felicity's pictures and we can both attest to through person observation, the man still has a great bod! Not an ounce of extra anything as far as I could tell :) I didn't get the chance to talk to him too much, rather I preferred to introduce him to Audra-Shayne (a beautiful name, according to DK) my friend's daughter who really wants to be a actress. He did tell me he was tired and just wanted to go home for awhile. He said he'd been going since Hamlet (as if we didn't already know that :) and, not that he was complaining, but he wanted a rest. He also said that if he was going to do anything at Stratford next season he'd let us know. I wish I'd had the time to go back and see the play again, but unfortunately when I made my plans I thought I would still be working and didn't want to take too much time off. Oh, well... Shirley
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