Monday, February 1, 2010

MONTGOMERY THEATRE HOSTS THE "MY FAIR LADY" BALL


Reserve Friday, April 16th, 2010, for the premiere event of P.E.I.'s spring social calendar.

The Georgian Room at Rodd's Charlottetown Hotel will come alive with music and splendor as the Montgomery Theatre presents the "My Fair Lady" Dinner and Dance.

The theme of the evening,"My Fair Lady", introduces one of the two plays the company will present this summer. The Montgomery Theatre, is staging George Bernard Shaw's original play, PYGMALION. That script was the inspiration for the 1964 Academy Award winning musical, "My Fair Lady".

"Maud Montgomery's writing defined intelligent romance in the 20th century and G. B. Shaw followed in her footsteps with his play, Pygmalion. This event will bring some of that romance to the capital and get us all in the mood for the wit, style, glamour and fun of this year's new productions at The Montgomery," says the theatre's Artistic Director, Duncan McIntosh.

The young flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, under the tutelage of the incorrigible Henry Higgins, will win the heart, not only of the Professor, but, of all who see her blossom on stage here on P.E.I. this July and August.

One of the memorable scenes in the production is the presentation of Eliza to society at a grand ball. In that spirit, all Islanders can dust off their tiaras and tuxes and join in a festive night in support of the Montgomery Theatre on April 16th. Musicians will entertain guests throughout the evening with a mixture classical, jazz and show tunes. Following the sit-down dinner, guests will be invited to take to the dance floor.

"How often do you get an opportunity to dress up and have such a grand time eating wonderful food, hearing fabulous music and then dance the night away?" says Gracie Finley, chair of the organizing committee.

Leading up to this special event, ticket holders will be eligible to take part in four weeks of free dance classes with the renowned Julia Sauve. You can enjoy the fun of learning all the moves, from an elegant waltz to a sizzling foxtrot, all of which you can show off on the dance floor April 16th.

"When the enchantment ends you'll be telling your friends, "I could have danced all night !" says Finley.

Tickets for the "My Fair Lady" dinner and dance are available on-line at the theatre's website: www.themontgomerytheatre.com or by visiting www.boxofficepei.com or by calling the Box Office, 902-963-3847. Reserve individual tickets or book a table for eight to ten people, and get ready for an inspiring evening.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Reviews are in - Critics love the Plays!

We knew they would - but it is great to see it in print!

Check out what reviewers for The Buzz had to say about Private Lives:

"The cast of the Montgomery Theatre production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives is verbally deft, physically dexterous, and zinging with chemistry—where the relationships warrant it. Against the simple beauty of the set, in gorgeous costumes that set a tone of elegance that tears (along with the occasional sleeve) as the scenes get indecorous, the cast sparks, with particular fire in Jackie Torrens’s Amanda. ... The Montgomery Theatre has the advantage of intimacy and asks the players to meet the rigorous demand of close-ups in every scene and audience on three sides. Director Duncan McIntosh expertly uses the dynamic potential of this staging, using diagonal lines and movements that underscore the dialogue’s dance." Jane Ledwell, The Buzz, August 2009

And about The Fourposter:

"This summer’s production of The Fourposter at the Montgomery Theatre in Cavendish deals with the resilience and contrasting rigidity of marriage. The clever romantic comedy is brought to life by Margaret Smith as Agnes and Kevin Curran as Michael. ... Together they do justice to playwright Jan de Hartog’s theatrical production and hold the viewer’s attention. ... As much a focal point as the characters themselves are the costumes worn by the performers. Smiths’ character is outfitted in replicas of LM Montgomery’s clothing including a stand-out floor length white wedding dress that is elegant yet modest. ... Visiting newlyweds and those celebrating golden anniversaries will all enjoy The Fourposter."
Peggy Miles, The Buzz, August 2009

You can read the unabridged reviews yourself by going to www.buzzon.com/stage/reviews

Here's what they said about The Fourposter in the Guardian:

"I think it is both a sign of the fine writing and, perhaps moreso, of the realistic acting, that I found the play to have aged so well. Never did the dialogue seem too high and formal, too self-conscious. It flowed beautifully.

Playing the part of Agnes, Margaret Smith was a captivating naive bride, a bitter homemaker, an indifferent wife. Kevin Curran, as Michael, believably bounced between flighty passion, aggression and defeatism. The actors had delicious comic timing to boot.

The play was thoughtfully directed by Zach Fraser. Never did any key moment get obscured, sharp changes in tone seemed genuine, and the actors moved around the full stage naturally... always in the moment right untilthe satisfying end."

Lennie MacPherson, The Guardian, August 4 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Shots from the new season

Graham Percy and Jackie Torrens in Private Lives













Graham Percy and Jackie Torrens in Private Lives
















Kevin Curran and Margaret Smith in The Fourposter













Margaret Smith and Kevin Curran in The Fourposter














Julia Lenardon as Maud in Maud of Cavendish

Thursday, July 9, 2009

View of Montgomery from an early visitor

Writer John Holbrook visited The Montgomery and PEI last week. His recent blog entry is fascinating - have a look at Potato Island.

http://jhalbrook.wordpress.com/

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Canada Day Winner drawn for Avonlea Village Family Reunion



Darlings! Louella Parsnips here with the latest scoop about the Buy Early Draw on Canada Day! As you can see here, that brilliantly handsome director of The Fourposter, Zach Fraser, helped me to draw a winning name out of one of my sunbonnets. And the lucky winner of the Grand Prize of a fabulous Family Reunion at Avonlea Village is.....

IAN CARTER of KENSINGTON! Congratulations to Ian and all the 25 Carter family members who will play for a day in an old-timey way.

YOU TOO CAN STILL WIN! Just buy one (or more, darling!) of the fast-disappearing tickets for Opening Night of Private Lives or The Fourposter and you could win a romantic Prize Package: Dinner for two at The Pearl Restaurant in Cavendish, Tickets to the Montgomery Theatre, and a night's accommodation at the Anne Shirley Cottages!

Buy Opening Night tickets now at www.themontgomerytheatre.com Almost sold out!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Japanese reading from Anne of Green Gables

Mr. Haruo Matsumaru, Reading Instructor at the ASAHI Culture School in Tokyo, and his colleague, Ms. Sayuri Nishikawa, will be giving a Japanese reading of passages from the L.M. Montgomery novel Anne of Green Gables. Actor Julia Lenardon from the Montgomery Theatre in Cavendish will be on hand to recite the same passages in English. (Julia performs 3 times a week as L.M. Montgomery in Maud of Cavendish at Green Gables House in the National Park.)

Mr. Matsumaru won a trip to Prince Edward Island for submitting the winning essay in a special essay contest offered jointly by the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism PEI and Japanese publisher Shincho-sha. The contest was offered last year in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Prince Edward Island’s most famous novel. Mr. Matsumaru’s essay explored ‘Anne's voice’ in the novel.

The Montgomery Theatre, the L.M.Montgomery Institute, the Confederation Centre Art Gallery and the Friends of the Confederation Centre Public Library are pleased to be supporting this special event.
Please join us for refreshments following the readings.

Friday July 10th 2:00pm
Confederation Centre Art Gallery