Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.08.2010, Page 15

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1. ágúst 2010 • 15
Ingrid Slobodian
You’re in for a rollick-ing evening of circus fun and freaks at the
Molotov Circus. This was re-
cently performed at the Aspire
Theater in Gimli this past July.
Look for this fabulous play at
the SummerWorks Theatre
Festival in Toronto, in August.
Although Molotov Circus
is a family production with
Debbie Patterson, author, Arne
MacPherson director, their real
life children, Gislina Patterson,
the rebellious teenager, and
Solmund MacPherson in his
curious circus act as Anti-grav-
ity Boy, the dark underbelly of
family dynamics is explored
and revealed in often poignant
and more often in over-the-top
conflicts.
The family’s various tal-
ents, in devil sticks, ukulele
and accordion playing, jug-
gling, stilt walking and some-
times tender, sometimes rau-
cous singing, prove to be a
natural for the circus theme.
Each actor has his moment in
the sun. The wheel chair bound
mother (Patterson) commands
the stage at all times with her
portrayal of Zoya, the world’s
“sexiest chicken geek”. She is
at once, tender and crude, joy-
ful and cruel, but always keeps
her perception of life in total
control. Maxim (MacPherson)
the long-legged giant as the
‘head in the clouds’ father with
his very authentic portrayal of
a gentle comedic is, thankfully,
more than proficient on stilts
in a particularly precarious
drunken scene. Gislina’s song,
Coin Operated Boy is a stand
out and the chicken scene is so
unexpected that the audience is
struck dumb! Twelve year old
Solmund as Spartak, the face
of innocence, who communes
with the heavens to forecast
the future, is a true professional
and is never out of character.
Various themes run
throughout the play: coming
of age angst, traditional family
roles revealed in stylized sym-
bolism, feminism with no con-
straints, the contrast of reality
and the absurd, and the figura-
tive use of opposites. Although
the unexpected brings laughter
galore, the emotional finale of
the play is heart wrenching.
Both Arne and Deb are
founding members of Shake-
speare in the Ruins, SIR, a
staple on the Winnipeg theatre
scene. Arne (son of former L-H
editor, Lillian MacPherson)
is a popular actor/director. He
is renowned for his dramatic
roles on stage and as a director,
he is innovative and assured.
Debbie Patterson, also an ac-
complished actor/director, is a
playwright of distinction with
her SIR production of Head,
proving a great success. Gis-
lina and Solmund are working
through the ranks of the Prairie
Theatre Exchange programs
and under the excellent men-
toring of their parents, have
acted at Fringe festivals in Ed-
monton and Winnipeg. Don’t
miss the opportunity to see this
very talented acting troupe in
the colourful, exciting com-
edy/drama Molotov Circus.
the Molotov Circus
comes to town
PHoto courtesy of Arne MAcPHerson
The Molotov Circus onstage.
From left: Debbie Patterson, Arne MacPherson,
Gislina Patterson, and Solmund MacPherson.
3030 Notre Dame Avenue
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