24 - Wednesday, August 14, 1991 - North Shore News

SeSeereeseseoeo s,s EoGeese

?

Anthology examines the
history of play centre

Twenty Years at Play

A New Play Centre Anthology
Edited by Jerry Wasserman
Pub. by Tatonbooks

346 pp., $18.95

IT TAKES a book like this to make
one realize what a national
treasure is hidden away on Gran-
ville Island.

Founded in 1970 on a grant of
only $500, the New Play Cenire
(NPC) was charged with the man-
date “to encourage and develop
dramatic writing in British Colum-

ia.”

Initially the NPC was primarily a
script critique service; something it
stil provides at nominal cost to
any B.C, writer.

But between 1980 and 1985
plays that had seen their genesis in
Vancouver won, or were = run-
ners-up for, a total of nine Gov-
ernor General's, Chalmers and
Canadian Authors Association best
play awards.

Three of those plays (Margaret
Hofllingsworth’s War Babies. john
and Joa Lazarus’s Digaming and
Duelling and Sheldon Rosen's Ned
and Jack) are included in this an-
thology that looks, desjfite its title,
primarily at the years 1975 to
1989.

Wasserman provides a short his-
tory of the growth of the NPC and
an explanation of his choice of
material in his introduction and,
for each included author, a brief

LOOKS AT BOOKS

biography and production history
of her/his piay.

A 20-year production list alse
provides a chronological look at
the NPC's work.

My only disappointment with
this impressive demonstration of
local talent is Wasserman’s deci-
sion to include only the latest ver-
sion of each script.

Wasserman always provides a
short history of each script’s de-
velopment, so which version of
the play one is reading is im-
mediately apparent.

However, | particularly mourn
the exclusion of the original draft
of Herringbone, which contained
much pathos and a human heart.
both of which are sadly missing in
its present incarnation.

Other plays included are Tom
Walmsley’s vicious Something
Red; Betty Lambert's disturbing
and powerful Under the Skin; tan
Weir's ironic welfare comedy The

Bloke jokes lose appeal

Jokes About Blokes
By Margot Hilton
Pub. Angus & Robertson

ALTHOUGH IT’S billed as a joke
book, jok2s About Blokes is more
like one of those true confession
or ethics board games that forces
you to bare your soul at social
gatherings.

The contents of the book
give rise to questions about cul-
tural values; published in
Australia, a number of the stories
clearly lose a bit of their flavor
when transporied across the
ocean.

And last, but no} least, it asks us

to examine the male stereotypes
that are portrayed. Are they fair? If
yes, we’re in trouble. If no, why
are some of the jokes about them
so darned funny?

Consider: “Why do you have
to bury Australian men 10 feet
down?”

“Because deep down they're
not so bad after all.”

Clearly, this book can be used as
an ice-breaker to launch discus-
sions on any number of sensitive
topics that will get your party off to
a roaring start — or finish.

—By Peggy Trendell Whittaker, a
writer for the North Shore News.

Only 3 weeks left —
Building Coming Down
All Patio Furniture MUST GO!

7pc. set 42” Table, 4 Resin Chairs, Weight

6ft. Umbrella $199

7 Yett. Umbrella $229

fdler and the only play to be in-
cluded with an alternate ending,
Alex Brown's The Wolf Within.

Wasserman acknowledges space
restraints and the omission of
works by David King, Dennis
Foon, Charles Tidler and others.

As it ts, Twenty
represents a great bargain for any
actor, director or literary historian
and an accessible tribute to the
work of B.C. playwrights and the
statt of the NPC.

—8y Martin Millerchip. a con
tributing writer tor the North Shore
News and treelance theatre direc-

Years at Play

FEST
MEIGS.

RESTAURANT

Style Mexican Food
SAVE 0 0

| }00 * Present coupon with order
* One coupon per table

* Not valid with other
coupons
* Nat valid during major
holidays
Cordially invites yGu and your guest to enjoy
One Complimentary
LUNCH OR DINNER ENTREE
when a second Lunch or Dinner entree of equal or
greater value is purchased from our new menu

1200 LONSDALE (Reservations Recommended)
NORTH VANCOUVER 985-TACO

Tee ccccccccescccccscccccsEMGpececccccescccs

© Live Entertainment
Tue.-Sun. 6pm

© Outdoor Dining

© Big Screen Sports

NAL yaa AY

Welcome to the most exciting event in Vancouver's
Fashion History. Internationally famous designer lines
from the Fashon Capitals of the world, Paris, New York,

London, Milan,

Tokyo and Montreal all gathered under

one roof. 25,000 garments, many priced far, far below
wholesale. The selection will boggle your mind. The
quality will astound you. A brand new concept in
Vancouver surely to take the clothing industry by storm.
At Dots you will always get the

MON.-FRI.
9:30 - 9:00
SAT.
9:30 - 5:30
SUN.
11:00 - 5:00

FREE
PARKING

The Crossroads, Broadway & Cambie
525 West Broadway Vancouver

EXCHANGES
AND
REFUNDS
WELCOME
ON ALL
PURCHASES

(by the Royal Bank)

874-2454