Reviews and Articles of Interest
Mississippi Mudds - Review of Mother Goose
Posted December 3, 2009
THE SECRET WAR OF MOTHER GOOSE OR HOW LAURA SECORD GOOSED THE YANKS!
A review by Lorrie Beaton (Member of Arts Carleton Place)
Only the Mudds could mix the stories of Laura Secord and Mother Goose together in this off-the-wall Pantomime. Once again, they have wowed us with their vibrant characters, wacky storylines, and outrageous fun that has been crafted specifically for Carleton Place audiences.
This story is full of plotting, planning, battles and romantic longings. Luckily for us, within all the mischievous acts going on, Laura Secord overhears the Americans plotting to take over Ontario. She decides to venture out on her own and bravely travels a great distance to warn the British. It is en-route in the woods that she gets to meet some interesting and wonderful characters.
The Mudds have a way of inviting us into a magical world that is so outrageous and completely unbelievable, but the true magic is that we want to play along and believe! They call on us to participate! They ask us to sway between good and evil! They bring smiles to the faces of everyone in the audience with their tongue and cheek shenanigans that border on the perverse! It is no wonder why the Mudds have such a following in Carleton Place. The Pantomimes are designed for us!
Don't be fooled into thinking that they are just having fun up there on the stage. The pantomimes that are offered up to us every Christmas season are well thought out, and they keep within the conventions of traditional English Pantomime from the 1800's. The talented members of the Mississippi Mudds fool us into believing that they are just offering up light-hearted fun, but they are offering up something more. Sticking to the guidelines of traditional English Pantomime, you will find political satire, cross dressing, animal-costumed roles, in-jokes, variations on classic fairytales, song and dance, and audience participation with the goal of creating fun family entertainment. You could see the pleasure of this show on the faces of the children in the audience, responding to these somewhat familiar characters and being persuaded into booing the "bad" guys, or cheering for the "good" guys. It is the thrill of experiencing a magical world full of good and evil, immortals, young lovers, villains and variations on fairytales and songs that we all recognize. Calling to the audience for their participation creates a sense of community among the audience and the performers.
This sense of community can be felt in every area of the show, but more importantly you also feel a sense of mentorship. This show is a wonderful example of those who are talented and generous in showing the younger performers the ropes. As you see declining numbers of youth participating in the dramatic arts, the Mudds are demonstrating that when you teach by example the rewards are plentiful.
Peter Brown's musical arrangement sets the tone for the show with the band's opening medley that whets our appetites for what is ahead. It really sets the scene for the playful nature of the show. The music really makes the show come alive! Some noteworthy performances come from Laura Secord (Becki Cross), who can hold her own on stage with the strong stage presence of Mother Goose (Jim MacGregor). Her singing voice is quite wonderful, and she has quite a stage presence. Laura Secord's daughter, Victoria (Hannah Hayball), is also quite striking and has a great deal of vocal strength for her age. The most surprising moment came from the performance of Golden Feather (Melissa McIntosh) because her singing voice was completely unexpected and wonderful when she sang, "Colours of the Wind". Some great comedic moments worth mentioning dealt with the "Americans", who were so backward that you could not help laughing. There is no being politically correct in this audience! Only the "Americans" would challenge "us" to a hockey game, but we all knew who would win in the end - didn't we?
A review by Lorrie Beaton (Member of Arts Carleton Place)
Only the Mudds could mix the stories of Laura Secord and Mother Goose together in this off-the-wall Pantomime. Once again, they have wowed us with their vibrant characters, wacky storylines, and outrageous fun that has been crafted specifically for Carleton Place audiences.
This story is full of plotting, planning, battles and romantic longings. Luckily for us, within all the mischievous acts going on, Laura Secord overhears the Americans plotting to take over Ontario. She decides to venture out on her own and bravely travels a great distance to warn the British. It is en-route in the woods that she gets to meet some interesting and wonderful characters.
The Mudds have a way of inviting us into a magical world that is so outrageous and completely unbelievable, but the true magic is that we want to play along and believe! They call on us to participate! They ask us to sway between good and evil! They bring smiles to the faces of everyone in the audience with their tongue and cheek shenanigans that border on the perverse! It is no wonder why the Mudds have such a following in Carleton Place. The Pantomimes are designed for us!
Don't be fooled into thinking that they are just having fun up there on the stage. The pantomimes that are offered up to us every Christmas season are well thought out, and they keep within the conventions of traditional English Pantomime from the 1800's. The talented members of the Mississippi Mudds fool us into believing that they are just offering up light-hearted fun, but they are offering up something more. Sticking to the guidelines of traditional English Pantomime, you will find political satire, cross dressing, animal-costumed roles, in-jokes, variations on classic fairytales, song and dance, and audience participation with the goal of creating fun family entertainment. You could see the pleasure of this show on the faces of the children in the audience, responding to these somewhat familiar characters and being persuaded into booing the "bad" guys, or cheering for the "good" guys. It is the thrill of experiencing a magical world full of good and evil, immortals, young lovers, villains and variations on fairytales and songs that we all recognize. Calling to the audience for their participation creates a sense of community among the audience and the performers.
This sense of community can be felt in every area of the show, but more importantly you also feel a sense of mentorship. This show is a wonderful example of those who are talented and generous in showing the younger performers the ropes. As you see declining numbers of youth participating in the dramatic arts, the Mudds are demonstrating that when you teach by example the rewards are plentiful.
Peter Brown's musical arrangement sets the tone for the show with the band's opening medley that whets our appetites for what is ahead. It really sets the scene for the playful nature of the show. The music really makes the show come alive! Some noteworthy performances come from Laura Secord (Becki Cross), who can hold her own on stage with the strong stage presence of Mother Goose (Jim MacGregor). Her singing voice is quite wonderful, and she has quite a stage presence. Laura Secord's daughter, Victoria (Hannah Hayball), is also quite striking and has a great deal of vocal strength for her age. The most surprising moment came from the performance of Golden Feather (Melissa McIntosh) because her singing voice was completely unexpected and wonderful when she sang, "Colours of the Wind". Some great comedic moments worth mentioning dealt with the "Americans", who were so backward that you could not help laughing. There is no being politically correct in this audience! Only the "Americans" would challenge "us" to a hockey game, but we all knew who would win in the end - didn't we?
A Review of Hercules: A Panto
Posted December 24, 2008
Can Hercules Save Princess Wanda From Her Fate?
A Review of Hercules: A Panto
by Lorrie Beaton (Arts Carleton Place)
Published in the Canadian Newspaper - December 2, 2008
The latest production by the Mississippi Mudds stays true to both the traditional stylings of English Pantomime, and its mandate of "having fun and entertaining local audiences".
Starting with the wonderful and brightly coloured costumes of the Three Fates, a hero complete with his own cheering section, a nasty princess to be saved, a narcissistic sidekick in pink high top running shoes, a dangerous villain, a hairdressing Grand Dame in drag, and to add to this campy production Elvis the King, the audience is in for a real treat that will find them booing the bad guys, cheering for true love and singing along to familiar songs.
The role of the English Pantomime was usually an outing for Victorian families during the Christmas season. English Pantomime gained popularity in England in the mid 1800's. Traditionally, it was a blend of buffoonery, slapstick, song, dance, in-jokes, political satire, mild sexual innuendo and audience participation. This was theatre played to a mass audience looking for fun, and a place where they could bring the whole family. The stories told on stage were not really anything to do with Christmas, but were almost always based on children's stories and fairy tales. Meredith Millman (director) and The Mudds have done an exceptional job of bringing all of these elements together in their latest production called Hercules.
From the moment the curtains open for the first time, you feel like you have been transported into this wonderful and magical place. The play follows Hercules (Dean Adema), who has just arrived back in Greece after finishing his 12 Labours and hopes to find true love. He is asked by Venus (Judith Scott) to perform a 13th Labour, which will win him the hand of Princess Wanda (Michelle Kay). Problems arise when the Fates (Patricia Black, Louise Link, and Jennifer Hetherington) decide on Wanda's fate. Hercules is called to come to the aid of the Kingdom by the King (Andrew McDougall) when Princess Wanda is kidnapped by Cyclops, and with the help of his sidekick Narcissus (Jim MacGregor) they fight the villain. Venus helps Hercules realize that, "the power of love comes from the heart". Can Hercules save Princess Wanda and find true love at the same time?
Some noted performances come from Hercules, who brings strength to our hero with his great singing voice and sparkling eyes. Another performance worth mention comes from Venus, played by Judith Scott. With the beautiful costumes and set decoration, Venus is a delight to watch on stage. She shines also through her amazing singing voice and striking stage presence. The beauty of this production is the overwhelming sense of community that comes from the blending together of so many performers of varying degrees of experience. Lastly, this pantomime would not be as wonderful without the exceptional talents of the band that accompanies all of the songs during the performance. Peter Brown's performance on the piano is playful and makes you want to join the cast in singing all those familiar tunes. This is expressed during the grand finale that brings together the musical talents of all of the members. During the final scene you get to take in all the elements that made this production possible. The important thing to remember about this production is that every voice has a place and each performer blends with the next to bring some exceptional songs for us to sing along to.
Another point worth mentioning is how beautiful the Town Hall Auditorium looks after its recent renovations. Our Auditorium is a true gem, and the riches include a Proscenium Arch and Raked Stage that slopes upwards and away from the audience. We are truly blessed to have such a historical treasure right under our noses, and that so much work has recently gone into the preservation of this unique piece of antiquity.
A Review of Hercules: A Panto
by Lorrie Beaton (Arts Carleton Place)
Published in the Canadian Newspaper - December 2, 2008
The latest production by the Mississippi Mudds stays true to both the traditional stylings of English Pantomime, and its mandate of "having fun and entertaining local audiences".
Starting with the wonderful and brightly coloured costumes of the Three Fates, a hero complete with his own cheering section, a nasty princess to be saved, a narcissistic sidekick in pink high top running shoes, a dangerous villain, a hairdressing Grand Dame in drag, and to add to this campy production Elvis the King, the audience is in for a real treat that will find them booing the bad guys, cheering for true love and singing along to familiar songs.
The role of the English Pantomime was usually an outing for Victorian families during the Christmas season. English Pantomime gained popularity in England in the mid 1800's. Traditionally, it was a blend of buffoonery, slapstick, song, dance, in-jokes, political satire, mild sexual innuendo and audience participation. This was theatre played to a mass audience looking for fun, and a place where they could bring the whole family. The stories told on stage were not really anything to do with Christmas, but were almost always based on children's stories and fairy tales. Meredith Millman (director) and The Mudds have done an exceptional job of bringing all of these elements together in their latest production called Hercules.
From the moment the curtains open for the first time, you feel like you have been transported into this wonderful and magical place. The play follows Hercules (Dean Adema), who has just arrived back in Greece after finishing his 12 Labours and hopes to find true love. He is asked by Venus (Judith Scott) to perform a 13th Labour, which will win him the hand of Princess Wanda (Michelle Kay). Problems arise when the Fates (Patricia Black, Louise Link, and Jennifer Hetherington) decide on Wanda's fate. Hercules is called to come to the aid of the Kingdom by the King (Andrew McDougall) when Princess Wanda is kidnapped by Cyclops, and with the help of his sidekick Narcissus (Jim MacGregor) they fight the villain. Venus helps Hercules realize that, "the power of love comes from the heart". Can Hercules save Princess Wanda and find true love at the same time?
Some noted performances come from Hercules, who brings strength to our hero with his great singing voice and sparkling eyes. Another performance worth mention comes from Venus, played by Judith Scott. With the beautiful costumes and set decoration, Venus is a delight to watch on stage. She shines also through her amazing singing voice and striking stage presence. The beauty of this production is the overwhelming sense of community that comes from the blending together of so many performers of varying degrees of experience. Lastly, this pantomime would not be as wonderful without the exceptional talents of the band that accompanies all of the songs during the performance. Peter Brown's performance on the piano is playful and makes you want to join the cast in singing all those familiar tunes. This is expressed during the grand finale that brings together the musical talents of all of the members. During the final scene you get to take in all the elements that made this production possible. The important thing to remember about this production is that every voice has a place and each performer blends with the next to bring some exceptional songs for us to sing along to.
Another point worth mentioning is how beautiful the Town Hall Auditorium looks after its recent renovations. Our Auditorium is a true gem, and the riches include a Proscenium Arch and Raked Stage that slopes upwards and away from the audience. We are truly blessed to have such a historical treasure right under our noses, and that so much work has recently gone into the preservation of this unique piece of antiquity.
