26 — Friday. November 27, 1998 — North Shore News Black hum B The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt at Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre to Nov. 28. DOES everything in this world have a price? Even morality? Cenies know that the answer is, regrettaliy (ovnics are, after all, roman Hes), Ves. Those whe wish to argue otherwise should first see Fricdrich) Durrenmatt’s The Visit. Durrenmatt was a Swiss dramatist and novelist whose early 20s were coloured by the experience of the Second World War. Phe post-war worlds he writes about are full of men- ace, fear and tension. But Durrenmatt succeeds in leavening what might oth- erwise be a depressing mixture with irony and humour. And that is the worth of black comedy — the trapping of the audience. Ar some point we should stop and say, “My god, I can’t believe Pm laughing at this.” ; The visit of the title is that of the return to the town of Gullen of her richest émigré, Claire Zachanassian. Gulien has been lett behind by progress but an endowment from rhe “generous” woman who has married money could kickstart local industry. The rownstolk pin their hopes on shopkeeper Anton Schill, a boyhood sweetheart of Claire's. Surely he will rekindle their relationship to the benetit of all. His reward: the promise of becoming the town’s next burgomaster. Unfortunately, everyone's memories are faulty: cruth has become the pawn of time. Chaire’s entrance sets up the play’s premise. Her power — money — stops an express train that has always steamed right through Gullen. Her entourage are likewise symbols of her power: a caged panther; an English suitor from a noble family whose wits are Claire’s; a former oppressor who is now a gen- eral factotum to be ridden like a horse; nwo mysterious blind men who, it will transpire, are also symbols of Claire's victory over childhood oppression. Claire promises the town the moncy that it needs. But there is a condition: the lite of Schill. It transpires Schill fathered a child with Claire bur success- Maatin MittercHie CURTAIN CALL Lenion, Line & Orange Mate oe . a _— Citrus Air Fresheners 104m - reg $6.99 SALE. 5: Baer tot LIME, {crane MATE Wee AE ode W 915 West 1st Street, | . O7 Gi 207m - reg $10:99 saux’O a: Ma omas panne Liretvers ur leavens morality tat tally domed a patermity suit. Shunned by the tasca, pregnant, shamed and anable to obtain work, Claire let Guillen in winter with literally pusta shirt on ber back and sware revenge, “You chose your lite. You forced me into ming.” says C hare of her work as a prostitute, The town refuses Ciaire’s otrer. “We are not inthe jungle. We shall never accept.” responds the Burgomiaster. Claire waits. She is contident of the power of money. There is much to admire in this Cap ‘Theatre production, Jamie Wisnowski is a cook, dominating presence as Claire Zachanassian and Seth Ranaweera is a wondertilly rumpled Anton Schill who personities small town shopkeeper. Liked JP Winslow's burgomaster at first, bat the physical ization of his character's ner- vousness ultimately drew attention to thy actor's tech- nique, rather than the charac: ter. There are others in the cast who are guiltier, and while that may have been as much to do with opening night as anything else, it becomes a problem when the second act portrays the grad ual transformation of towns: folk who, as actors, are already working too hard. I don’t know whether the preponderance of women playing men’s roles is a result of gender-neutral casting or reflects the balance of sexes in Cap’s theatre department. In any event, Bree Cropper as Sehill's daughter and Kara Butler more notably as the son turn in wood work while others might take a lessen trom Charlotte furas’ under- stated Frau Schill. The best of the ensemble, however, proves again the old adage of “no small parts.” Jessica Brunt was so good in the cameo role of the station- master P really wanted to see Rossignol Cut 10.4 Ski Rossignol FD 55 Binding ¢ all natural « non aerosol * 100% pure essential oils Ass't SKU's . what she might do with a larger part Guest divector Katana Dunn deserves congratulition tor a consistent production, pobtical insight and some great theatn cab moments of staging. for which set designer Ross Nichol, hghting designer Dave Winstanley and costume designer Brodie Davison must all share credit. Bat f qacstion whether there is sutfigent “build” in the second act. Which (again, it was opening night) seemed te repeat the same moment in tour differeat scenes. hill too. changes - perhaps for the better -- and Lam nor sure the monsent and the subsequent sirength were dear enough. 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