JAY BRAZEAU (left) as Big Daddy dominates his
- duction of Gat on a Hot Tin Roof.

eae

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, directed by Bill Millerd.
At the Arts Club Theatr2 ta Oct. 23. Information and reservations:

637-1644.

ED ROBERTS’ masterful set for the Arts Club produc-
tion of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning
play almost achieves the impossibility of freezing the

action in time.

A moment of 1955 is captured in
furniture icons and then suspend-
ed without visible support like a fly

in amber. x

~ We view the inhabitants of this

miniature zoo from.a distance as

they struggie with the near-classic

tragedy that is Cat on a Hot Tin
_ Rook. Co
Unfortunately, the invisible bars
of this cage contained a first act
that on opening night was unable
to reach out and engage its au-
dience.

Time froze for me too as Maggie
the Cat (Moira Walley) fought for
Brick's (Kevin Conway) attentions
.: and the imminent inheritance of

the Pollitt estate.

Of course the play’s first act is
renowned as a supremely difficult

Cast, costumes
set all excellent

From page28°

in the final scene 0’, the play.

If he does not,‘is final toast to
himself is the biterest drink he has
‘evertaken, 6)"

Either way it would be nice to
know.

It's as if Cox chose to build on
the positive aspects of humanity
portrayed by Kanin and in doing
so ignored the possibilities of the
dark side that we ail battle.

This determined simplicity is ex-
emplified by the portrayal of
Senator Hedges (Barney
O'Sullivan) as a timorous duffer.

‘ - The approach is mildly amusing
(and wonderfully supported by

’ Margaret Barton as his society
wife) but ignores the colder irony

_ implicit in an awareness of per-
sonal corruption by this bastion of
‘the democratic structure,’’ even
if self-pretence were to (mostly)
cover the stench. |

1 applaud Cox’s commitment to
quality.

| applaud her stated intent to
celebrate optimism in her
programming this season.

- But | question whether the
wisdom inherent in simple values
has to be portrayed simplistically.

By Martin Millerchip
NOW REPGRT

challenge.

Maggie is competing with a
memory: a memory that is not ar-
ticulated until later in the play.
Meanwhile, Brick seeks peace ina
boitle.

Perhaps Conway's portrayal of a
professional drinker was so focus-
ed on the process of getting drunk
that there was no possibility for
Walley to connect with the why of
his drinking.

Whatever the reason Wednes-_
day night, nothing happened until
Pat Armstrong bounced on the
stage.

But Armstrong's unusually co-

, cacah
‘ : Photo submitted
gon Brick (Kevin Conway) and the Arts Club pro-

quettish Big Mama was only the
prelude to the evening's real star.

Jay Brazeau as Big Daddy took
this Cat by the scruff of its pas-
sionless life and shook it ‘til it
howled.

Big Daddy is a larger-than-life
self-made king who has lived a tie
with a woman he does not love for
40 years. Yet he presumes to
challenge his son for tying. In a
form of divine retribution, his fam-
ily has lied to him about the
cancer that is ravaging his body.

So we watch a man glorying in

the prospect of sexual prowess

struck down like a bull by a
poleaxe.

This sense of life being snuffed
out only works if the actor playing
Big Daddy can imbue his perfor-
mance with a force of life that ap-
proaches the mythic.

Brazeau succeeds. He roots
through the entrails of the second
act with a passion that still
manages to maintain a surprising
sensitivity.

lf Conway and Walley can yet
find the same balance, this pro-
duction will be sensational.

VALUE GETAWAY

* Located 20 minutes
north of Seattle '
* 10 minutes from over
400 stores & specialty
shops at Everett & Alderwood Malls
© 250 guestrooms & suites .
¢ Fully equipped fitness center
¢ Indoor pool, sauna & outdoor sundeck
¢ Hardy's Northwest Bar & Grill
¢ Free parking and 7.9% tax

#WestCoast+
‘Everett Pacific

3105 PINE STREET, EVERETT, WA 98201

1-800-426-0670

Subject to space availability. Expires 12/31/93

Our Neighbourhoods

The District of North Vancouver Council and many
residents have expressed a desire for improved dialogue on
municipal policies and plans and greater involvement in
decision making at the neighbourhood level.

The time is right for community discussion and this is your
invitation to participate in creating a neighbourhood vision.

And, here’s how.

Neighbourhood Forums

We're coming to your neighbourhood
to hear from you about your neighbourhood.

Join the workshop in your area to discuss neighbourhood
planning and design, organization and alternatives,
and how neighbourhoods communicate with each other
and with the municipality and other agencies.

How can we work better together?

At7 p.m. on:

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October 6 — at Lynn Valley recCentre
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October 13 - at Handsworth School
October 14 - at Seycove School

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What makes your neighbourhood work?
Bring the discussion right into your home,
on your time, with your neighbours,

Pick up a Kitchen Table Discussion Guide at recCentres
and libraries and go for it ...

Sign up or find out more

For more information on the District of North Vancouver
Neighbourhood Initiative, call 987-7131.

Lint é ighbounl luiston 2"

C