Mary

The Value of Literature So what’s the best way to make a book more popular?  Try to ban it. Margaret Laurence became my favourite author, right after I heard they were trying to ban The Diviners. In marathon reading sessions, I devoured The Diviners and went on to read the rest of her wonderful books. […]

An Afternoon’s Chat The first thing Michael Learned wants to explain is her name…yes, she was named Michael by her parents:  it is her real name and her full name.  She has no middle name.  It is not a made-up name for acting.  Why did her parents give her a boy’s name?  She was the

Old Favourite Revived at a Fast Pace It’s an oldie but a goodie – the musical Anything Goes was written a full 82 years ago.  As you watch this show, keep in mind that this material was cutting edge in 1934.  It may even have been considered scandalous! But the production now on stage at

Children are Maggots Matilda is one of those shows grandparents and parents can enjoy, along with the kids.  It’s based on the British children’s story and while much of it is adult humour, kids will really enjoy it.  It’s typical of author Roald Dahl’s books – an evil adult makes life horrible for children, but

Talking to the Neighbour Lady Set in 1956, Hilda’s Yard, now on stage at Playhouse II in Grand Bend, at first seems to be a nostalgic look back at the good old days.  There’s the neat back yard, the tin awning over the back porch, and Hilda hanging the wash on the clothesline, talking to

A Beautiful Friendship A heartwarming, well-directed, well-acted production of Driving Miss Daisy is on stage at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia.  Anyone wanting to see this play should order tickets immediately, because it will sell out thanks to the star-power of Michael Learned in the role of Daisy. Michael Learned, you’ll recall, was TV’s Ma

The Mountie Rides into Town Again The ever popular Mountie Archibald F. Inkster just brought his musical ride back to the stage at Huron Country Playhouse. Astride his frisky hobby horse, in full dress red serge, Constable Inkster (or Finkster as the program says) welcomes theatre goers by frisking them. It’s Drayton Entertainment’s Neil Aitchison

Sexy After 60 Want a fun night out for you and your 60-plus friends?  Go to the Blyth Festival where The Birds and The Bees is now on stage.  The laughs come one right after another in this comedy that covers sex and then romance for the somewhat older crowd. I can’t reveal too much

The Wonder of Sondheim Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist of A Little Night Music is brilliant.  Every word of every song fits perfectly into the story.  There is wit and humour, poignancy and love.  There are no wasted choruses, no repetitive lyrics. The Stratford Festival’s production of A Little Night Music, now on the