The cast of Titanic - The Fated Voyage (Summerside, PEI) pose on opening night
For the first time in a decade, I missed the Atlantic Fringe Festival and the Atlantic Film Festival entirely. It felt very strange to read from a distance all about the two festivals in the Herald and on Facebook. Up until yesterday morning, I was working on Prince Edward Island directing a new show: Titanic – The Fated Voyage (playing in Summerside until October 2nd at the Shipyard Restaurant.)
Now that I have got that shameless plug out of the way in the first paragraph, I can fill you in on my theatrical and flamboyant week. It all kicked off with a night in the company of my fellow Brit Sir Elton ‘Rocket Man’ John. Conveniently, we were both playing in Summerside and I managed to find a seat for the two and a half hour solo exstravaganza. John was in top form and the 5000 plus crowd was thrilled at everyone of the 25 songs he played.
I decided that my seat at the back was too far away, so took a stroll to the side of the stage and watched from there. The crowd was spread out before me and I realized that I want to be a rock star when I grow up.
I took a drive into Charlottetown last Tuesday and caught up with Buddy Holly at the Charlottetown Festival. Buddy played last year and was such a hit they brought him back from the dead again this year. The Tuesday night 50% crowd was slow to warm up, but by act two the bus-tour folks were throwing their walkers down and dancing along as though they had been transported back to their long-past youth. It was infectious. Even I stood and attempted to ‘Rave On.’
Jeff Giles was a charismatic and musically dynamic Buddy, carrying the show and ensuring we watched more than just the concert the show so nearly is. Alana Hibbert, Michael Clarke and Keith White as the trio of Apollo Theatre performers kicked off act two so well and with such power that I wished the plot had kept us in Harlem longer.
Benjamin Kunder’s turn as Ritchie Valens was a show-stealer, not least thanks to some disturbingly tight velveteen pants that showed the little old ladies next to me which side he ‘dressed’ and which religion he supported. They were still fanning themselves, desperate for oxygen, as they were loaded back on their bus.
I did manage to sneak a day off the island last week and made it in to see Neptune Theatre’s much anticipated opening night of the gothic thrill-fest Frankenstein. Director George Pothitos and set designer Patrick Clark gave us a vivid and lovely three-dimensional set to enjoy.
It was a treat to see Alexis Milligan making her Neptune Mainstage debut as Dr. Frankenstein’s ill-fated bride, Elizabeth. I confess I found the script a little to heavy on text and light on action, and wished to see more of those infamous moments that we all think we know. No-one cried ‘It’s alive!’ and I think the audience were a tad disappointed. Quibbles with the script aside, though, there was much to celebrate at the opening night party.
Stephen Gartner’s monster was a treat and I enjoyed seeing the way too good-looking fella transformed into a beast for this show!
I suggest getting yourself down to Neptune before Frankenstein closes and seeing it for yourself.
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