I’d love to know why Mother Courage and her Children was chosen to showcase the talents of this year’s graduates of Neptune’s Pre-Professional Training Program. Surely there was a play with the requisite number of parts that was lighter, shorter and all together more suited to the not-inconsiderable talents of the actors. Garry Williams’ difficult score proved too much for many of the vocalists, and actually dragged down the tempo of the already ponderous production. However, it’s not all bad news: The play is very well cast and all the actors involved can be proud of their performances. Of particular note is Ona Archibald in the challenging role of the titular character, and Zachary Faye who did an outstanding job, both as a singer and actor, as the fickle cook.
Monday, May 24 to Thursday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Neptune Studio Theatre.
Tickets are $12 at the Neptune Theatre box office, by phone (429-7070, or 1-800-565-7345 toll-free) or online.
This article appears in May 20-26, 2010.
