Whitby Free Press, Wednesclay, November 15, 195. Page il ... . . . .. . . . . Courthouse clicks wîth hilarlous 'It Runs' By John Diujay Comedy is often a difficult act to accomplish successfully. Many different elements have te be established: timidng, believ- ability and an intangible aspect that clicks with the audience. It Runa in the Family connects on ail fronts. The Whitby Courthouse The- atre's newest play is a smashing, rollicking, raunchiy success. Writ- ten by Ray Cooney and directed by Frank Kzight, the farce com- edy continues Nov. 16 te 18 and 23 te 25. The plot is simple at first, but revealed through a series of rap- idly eecalating misunderstand- ings and hidden agendas, it ex- plodes in a cataclysm of silliness. Dr. Mortimore, played by Jim Renshaw, isa about te deliver a speech to a group of neurologista in tewn for a convention. H-is best friend, Dr. Bonney, played Mi- ously by Jim Neily, ia on hand in the docter's conference rOOM. Nurse Tate (Joyce McCready) arrives at the hospital suddenly after an 18-year absence. She drops -a bombshell on Mortimore when shie tells him her son, Leslie, is actually his son as well. What follows ia a series of chasses, costume changes and window ledge crawlings, all with the intention of Dr. Mortimore trying not to let bis wife Rose- Mary (played by Jim's real life wife Jean) know the truth. Standouts iii the cast include Alexandra Savage-Feri' as the * hospital's -matron. Her preposter- ously thick accent and some in- credible acrobatics leave the au- dience gasping for air. Fun-loving Bill (Harry McKew) plays the foolieli patient whc * constantly provides bis two cents worth, thus complicating matters for Mortimore. For his troubles, -Io#mw .t/77U.. .... ..... he is thrown down the stairs, stuffed in a istorage box and ex- iled te a bathroom, among other things. But the meal comic genius in the play ls Neilly. His character Shostrngholds auditions -Auditions for the final two plays Of Durham Shoestring Performers's 22nd season will take place at 7:30 p.m., at the Arts Resource Centre bebind Oshawa Cith HaR on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and Thursday, Nov. 30. Director Judith Edmondson says If We Are Women, by Joanna McL-elland Glass, neede four strong women te portray three generations of a family portrait. Polly, 18, lias just crossed the threshold of womanhood and seema to be ignoring the lessons of the past. lier mother, Jessica, in her forties, is a succeseful author currently mourning the passing of lier lover. She is comforted and corrected by two grandmothers in their niid- sixties, Ruth, a down-te-earth farmer's daughter from Saskatchewan, and Rachel, a Jewish intellectual from Pennsylvania. The compassion, humour and delightfulness of the play corne from the ways in which these mothers and daughters unwittingly hurt each other while strengtheming the bonds of love that tie them tightly to each other. If We Are Women plays Feb. 23, 24, 29 and March 1, 2, 1996.The audition is to be held Tuesday, Nov. 28. The final play of the season is the world premiere of The Undisouered Country, written and directed by Brad Carson. The poignant but good-humoured play takes the audience on a surreal journey through an old man'e life, beginnlng at the end. It's about the stnugge for dignity in life and dignity in death and how it affects the choices available te an ordinary family. There are bath entry level and more challenging roIes for maIe and female acters aged 18 te early sixties in- this ensemble cast. The main characters are Old Sam Brinkers, a robuat 60-year-old struggling te cross the border of his undiscovered country, and bis phantom counterpart, Young Sain, in bis forties. Other main male Yoles are Sam's father, Jeremiali (40-60), bis son, Eric (30-40), bis grandson, Robin (18-25), and at the helm of Sam's journey, The Man Ini The Suit, of indeterminate age. The main female raies are Sam's mother, Marnja (40-60), bis.wife, Claire (30-40), and bis daugliter Caroline (30-40). 77ie Undiscouered Country will be presented April 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 1996. The audition will be held Thursday, Nov. 30. Bath directors wil he present both nights, and no raies will be filled until both auditions are complete. There are also many oppartunities *for people inimrested in production work. To borrow a script for advance reading, or for further information, call the producer, Carolyn Wilson, at 725- 9256. CASTING NOTICE by Neil Simon Directed by D'Arcy Smyth Produced by Lamie Ro)sen 5 Men: 30 - Mid-fifties -5 Women: 25-50 - November 19 at 2:OOpm__ November 20 at 7:3Opm November 21 at 7:3Opm AUITO EURNE S ls the classic best fiiend who is thrust into a world of trouble for his buddy, Dr. Mortimore., There were moments when lie le grabbed below the walst or isees somebody enter the room when they 'shouldn't, when Neilly's face is conterted inte a *grotesquely funny position. The audience members screamed and jumped out of their seats in sheer laughter when bis antics were loosed. He was the cast member who was given the loudest ovation at the end of the performance and for good reason. Encore performance Aznid cries of Encore!' Dr. has been so overwhelming, and Benjamin Ho,- gatroenterologist the sponsores have corne through at Whitby General Hospital, hma in spades. The Concert, with some agreed this year to again host a of the finest vocal talent in the benefit conoert for the hospital. world, is fast becoming a 'must The event, biled as Vie Encore attend' in Durham Region," said will thke place, Saturday, Nov. T5e Hera aact rw o beginning at 8 p.m., at Calvary lastye as avent. e smewor B.ptOst hua. 00Rosan class performers - Wai-Chiu Chan E., Ohawa.(baritone), Ho (tenor), Xiaoping Hu The price of a ticket is $10 and (soprano), Kinping Man (tenor) proceeds will go te the Whitby and Dongdong Dong (pianist) - General Hospital for acute care will again perform at this year's equipment. concert. "The response for this concert To obtamn tickets, oeil 668-4660. JOIN US THIS WEKFÇNV FOR OUR RENO VA TION CELEBRA TION! Play a game of pool on one of our 12 tables or enjoy dancing to a live DJ, prize giveaways this Friday, Nov. i 7th and Saturday, Nov. i Bth at 9pmn (AUl on one floor). Must be 21 or aider. WINTER DAY SPECIAL. MONI.- FRL m11AM- 6PM - '4- .- - ~ LII r-