HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES Revived play offers tears and FOR SIMON Webb, direc- ting a play is akin to riding a race horse. By STEPHEN BARRINGTON News Reporter “It’s not the jockey who can run fast — it’s the horse,’’ says Webb, director of the Presentation House Film and Theatre School play A House of Blue Leaves. Like a jockey, Webb takes command of his charge, urging it to do what he wants it to do — a nudge here, a direction change there and it is off and running. Althcug:. first produced in 1968, Webb feels the play is still relevant today. *".. . domestic circum- stances haven't changed. You’ve got a guy who hates his job, a wife who is crazy, a mistress who is leading him down the garden path, and a head Jfull of very impossible dreams.’’ —director Simon Webb: Then, the Pope was globe-trot- ting to promote world peace as southeast Asia blew itself apart. Things are still the same, he says, just the hot spots have changed. “It hasn’t changed except the names. It’s fill in the blanks,” Webb says. About six minor word changes laughter sent the play firmly into the 1980s and put the production into a modern reference today’s au- diences can better understand. A current Broadway hit, the show is playing to packed venues in New York. “The domestic circumstances haven’t changed,’’ explains play director Webb. “You've got a guy who hates his job, a wife who is crazy, a mistress who is leading him down the garden path, and a head full of very impossible dreams.’’ The 37-year-old Webb, who has been involved with Presentation House ‘‘since before there were seats,”’ strives to give Leaves a mix of tears and laughter. Described as a classic farce, playwright John Guare writes not only a funny play but a play “about something we all worry about in our urban paranoia,’’ says Webb. Rather than structure the pro- duction around a preconceived set, Webb and the cast worked from the opposite direction, ‘building’ the set around the play. “You need a door? There’s a door. You need a chair? There’s a chair,’’ he says, gesturing as if directing the set construction on stage once again. From this unusual set designing comes an equally unusual set. While Webb is wary of giving too many details, he says the set has just the basic elements. And the audience should study the set carefully — although it might appear to be basic, the set and the stage comment on Blue Leaves’ action and theme. “The set itself is just like a puz- zle,’’ Webb lets on cagily. A House of Blue Leaves runs until Feb. 7 at Presentation House Theatre. For ticket reservations or more information call 986-1351. MAMEROS RESTAURANT The Finest of Greek Cooking SPECIAL °14.95 Special Ends Feb. 28th, '87. Greek Platter for Two Greek Salad, Calamari, Meatballs Dolmades, Spanakopita, Souvlaki, Satziki, Homous, Mousaka 2422 MARINE DRIVE WEST VANCOUVER RESERVATIONS 922-5751 WE CATER TO GROUPS OR PARTY FUNCTIONS 17 - Friday, January 30, 1987 - North Shore News Casual Chinese cuisine PAGE 18 HOUSE OF Blue Leaves cast rehearses a scene from the play which was originally written in the 1960s. Kavan Cunningham (vackground-teft)} plays Arte Shaughnessy; Carol Nesbitt (background-right) plays Bananas Shaughnessy; Philip Spedding (teft) plays Billy Einhorn; and Kris Skjellerup (right) plays the Little Nun. The production runs at Presentation House until Feb. 7. “Tried Cheers’ Munch-a-Lunch Special yet...?’’ i“‘In February, their soup, salad, & Jsandwich combo is just $2.99! !*% Can you believe it?’’ Sart with our Hot Soup of the — ° Relaxing Atmosphere © Major Credit Cards day. Add a Salad from our 60 Daj ‘ ‘i + ‘ ttem Salad Bar. Then choose a ’ oe, _ . ae ~ “ti yummy Sandwich: Roast Beef, usiness Luncheon janquet Facilities Turkey, Corned Beef, Egg Salad, * Sunday Buffet Brunch * Gift Certificates Veggie Delight, Ham & Swiss, * Underground Parking * Totally Affordable Beef Dip, Dagwood, B.L.T., Chicken Salad, or our Cheers Burger. And you have a hearty lunch—at an Unbeatable Price! Just $2,991! Where Dining Out is Always Special! * Offer expires 87 02 27. Invalid with coupons, or other promotional offerings. 125 East Second Avenue just East of Lonsdale, North Van. Ph. 985-9192. Valid Mon.-Sat. only