Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Reviews are in - Critics love the Plays!
Check out what reviewers for The Buzz had to say about Private Lives:
"The cast of the Montgomery Theatre production of Noel Coward’s Private Lives is verbally deft, physically dexterous, and zinging with chemistry—where the relationships warrant it. Against the simple beauty of the set, in gorgeous costumes that set a tone of elegance that tears (along with the occasional sleeve) as the scenes get indecorous, the cast sparks, with particular fire in Jackie Torrens’s Amanda. ... The Montgomery Theatre has the advantage of intimacy and asks the players to meet the rigorous demand of close-ups in every scene and audience on three sides. Director Duncan McIntosh expertly uses the dynamic potential of this staging, using diagonal lines and movements that underscore the dialogue’s dance." Jane Ledwell, The Buzz, August 2009
And about The Fourposter:
"This summer’s production of The Fourposter at the Montgomery Theatre in Cavendish deals with the resilience and contrasting rigidity of marriage. The clever romantic comedy is brought to life by Margaret Smith as Agnes and Kevin Curran as Michael. ... Together they do justice to playwright Jan de Hartog’s theatrical production and hold the viewer’s attention. ... As much a focal point as the characters themselves are the costumes worn by the performers. Smiths’ character is outfitted in replicas of LM Montgomery’s clothing including a stand-out floor length white wedding dress that is elegant yet modest. ... Visiting newlyweds and those celebrating golden anniversaries will all enjoy The Fourposter."
Peggy Miles, The Buzz, August 2009
You can read the unabridged reviews yourself by going to www.buzzon.com/stage/reviews
Here's what they said about The Fourposter in the Guardian:
"I think it is both a sign of the fine writing and, perhaps moreso, of the realistic acting, that I found the play to have aged so well. Never did the dialogue seem too high and formal, too self-conscious. It flowed beautifully.
Playing the part of Agnes, Margaret Smith was a captivating naive bride, a bitter homemaker, an indifferent wife. Kevin Curran, as Michael, believably bounced between flighty passion, aggression and defeatism. The actors had delicious comic timing to boot.
The play was thoughtfully directed by Zach Fraser. Never did any key moment get obscured, sharp changes in tone seemed genuine, and the actors moved around the full stage naturally... always in the moment right untilthe satisfying end."
Lennie MacPherson, The Guardian, August 4 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Shots from the new season
Thursday, July 9, 2009
View of Montgomery from an early visitor
http://jhalbrook.wordpress.com/
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Canada Day Winner drawn for Avonlea Village Family Reunion
Darlings! Louella Parsnips here with the latest scoop about the Buy Early Draw on Canada Day! As you can see here, that brilliantly handsome director of The Fourposter, Zach Fraser, helped me to draw a winning name out of one of my sunbonnets. And the lucky winner of the Grand Prize of a fabulous Family Reunion at Avonlea Village is.....
IAN CARTER of KENSINGTON! Congratulations to Ian and all the 25 Carter family members who will play for a day in an old-timey way.
YOU TOO CAN STILL WIN! Just buy one (or more, darling!) of the fast-disappearing tickets for Opening Night of Private Lives or The Fourposter and you could win a romantic Prize Package: Dinner for two at The Pearl Restaurant in Cavendish, Tickets to the Montgomery Theatre, and a night's accommodation at the Anne Shirley Cottages!
Buy Opening Night tickets now at www.themontgomerytheatre.com Almost sold out!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Japanese reading from Anne of Green Gables
Mr. Matsumaru won a trip to Prince Edward Island for submitting the winning essay in a special essay contest offered jointly by the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism PEI and Japanese publisher Shincho-sha. The contest was offered last year in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Prince Edward Island’s most famous novel. Mr. Matsumaru’s essay explored ‘Anne's voice’ in the novel.
The Montgomery Theatre, the L.M.Montgomery Institute, the Confederation Centre Art Gallery and the Friends of the Confederation Centre Public Library are pleased to be supporting this special event.
Please join us for refreshments following the readings.
Friday July 10th 2:00pm
Confederation Centre Art Gallery
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Moving In Day to the Church at Avonlea Village
Maud of Cavendish Announcement
Julia Lenardon as Maud in Maud of Cavendish
Friday, June 19, 2009
Publication Day Launch of Maud of Cavendish
A happy event took place at Green Gables, PEI National Park of Canada on Saturday June 20th from 5 to 7 pm.
The Montgomery Theatre in conjunction with Parks Canada announced a new production, Maud of Cavendish, which will be the first professional theatre production ever to take place in a National Park. Written by Canadian playwright Anne Kathleen McLaughlin and starring National Theatre School instructor Julia Lenardon as Lucy Maud Montgomery, the play will be performed at Green Gables House. Audiences of 25 persons will follow Maud through the house and grounds as she explores an author's excitement of imagination. This launch was timed to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the publication of Montgomery's most famous novel, Anne of Green Gables. Study Abroad Canada presents Maud of Cavendish as part of The Montgomery Theatre's 2009 Season.
Also to be announced at this event is the LMM Legacy Series Concerts to be held on 3 Monday evenings in July & August at The Montgomery Theatre at Avonlea Village. Funded in part by Heritage Canada, this series of concerts will celebrate the works of Island artists Lennie Gallant, Angele Arsenault and the late Poet Laureate, Frank Ledwell. Their works will be interpreted by the best of PEI's artists as a tribute to their role models. Fittingly, bestofpei presents The L.M.M. Legacy Series Concerts, as part of their goal to support all the best of everything the Island has to offer.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Next Buy Early Draw is July 1st for the Family Reunion at Avonlea Village
Darlings! Louella Parsnips here with a great big scoop... and I'm not singing Ice Cream, darlings...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
We have a winner!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Louella Wants to Draw You In!
Hello Darlings!
I hope you're here to see the fabulous prizes we are giving away to the lucky winners of our Buy Early Draws! Just by purchasing your tickets online now instead of waiting for that last minute rush to the box office, you can guarantee your chosen seats AND have your name put into one of my fabulous hats for a chance to win!
Win what, you say?
Well, darlings, every ticket purchased before June 1st, 2009 has a chance to win this beautiful hand-thrown vase from local artisan Malcolm Stanley. It stands 9" high and is valued at $120!
Our thanks to Stanley Pottery Studio & Gallery, Rte 246 Breadalbane for providing prize pottery! Go visit them, you'll love it!
If your ticket isn't drawn for that, have no fear! You are still in the running...
All tickets bought before June 15th have a crack at winning this wonderful piece to adorn a decolletage with Ammonite, Amethyst, Lemon Quartz and Moonstone all wrapped in Sterling Silver. Eclectic necklaces are all the rage, darling!
It comes from Nessya's Gems & Jewels, 64 Queen Street in Charlottetown, and is valued at $175! Thank you, Nessya ~ I'm sending everyone your way to see what else you've got...
And finally - TaDa! The great Canada Day Grand Prize Package!
Avonlea Village in Cavendish (where our theatre resides in the big yellow church) has provided a wonderful prize package! This just in from our faithful supporter, Sheela Curley:
A Family Reunion At Avonlea Village
Travel back in time 100 years with 25 family members in this unique setting! This packages offers complimentary admission to Avonlea and all of our daily programming.
The family will recieve a personal tour of the park, reserved seating at our traditional Island Music show, and ice cold Raspberry Cordial in the garden.
Value of package:$700.00
Darlings! What more could you ask for? Hurry up, go to www.themontgomerytheatre.com or cal 902-963-3847 to get your seats now and a chance for these fabulous prizes! Tell them Louella sent you...
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Opening Night Contest
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Louella's Setting Day
I was not able to attend the ceremoney depicted in the little movie below because it was held at DAWN!!! I was resting.
My young friend lept from bed to capture the moment for me. Beauty rest is a responsibility when one has been committed to as many glamorous events as I have.
The gorgeous fishers seen here were setting their traps. They certainly caught me! They were looking for the first lobster of spring.
Summer is truly on the way. Tomorrow we will see the little crustaceans with the first sunburns of the season.
Reporting from Paradise, this is Louella Parsnips
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wondering How to Wow? Be the Hostess with the Mostest!
Look at these prices. I mean, my dear! So invite along your book club, bridge club or mah jong team and all your Friends From Away - and plan your theatre party now!
BOOK YOUR GROUP OF 10 OR MORE NOW
Playing Tuesdays - Sundays JULY 14 - AUGUST 23
Book by CANADA DAY to be entered into our BUY EARLY DRAWS
GROUP RATE DISCOUNTS FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE:
Regular Rate Group Rate
Balcony $ 20 + tax $ 16 + tax
Side $ 25 + tax $ 20 + tax
Premier $ 32 + tax $ 25.60 + tax
(Yes, darling, it does mean you can see world-class theatre for less than $20!!)
Call the Theatre Office 902 963 3847 or go to www.themontgomerytheatre.com to buy online
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Live From The Ball
Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island
Darlings! Louella Parsnips here, reporting from the Private Lives Ball... The evening is just getting underway in this fabulously decorated ballroom, swathed in sheer and glittering fabrics and bestrewn with white tulips and exotic orchids.
(We owe a nod and a wink to the PEI Orchid Club for providing a gorgeous array of exotic orchids and to Vanco for making the tulips affordable.)
The Island’s finest are out in their finest to sway and swoon to the dreamy jazz stylings of the Chris Mitchell Quintet.
The evening was charmingly introduced by our very own Gracie Finley, who is serving as Co-chair of the Private Lives Ball. Gracie is here with her husband, the very charming Mr Barry Stickings, all the way from their home in Great Britain, just to support The Montgomery Theatre in its efforts to bring high quality professional theatre to Cavendish PEI in honour of the Island’s most famous and accomplished author, L.M. Montgomery.
Oh my, now we are enjoying a fashion show! Beautiful specialty garments are being introduced by our co-hosts, Ms Grace Findlay and Mr Arnold Smith. Our gracious models are: Ms Findley herself in a scrumptious green crushed velvet gown,
I just got back from a wee break – and a side trip to sample some of that champagne, darlings! – when the band began again with Sweet Embraceable You. Oh, for a dance partner! I did find out while wandering around that that brave couple of dancers who took over the floor are Mike and Colleen Sheen, recently moved to Wheatley River after years away in St John’s. Welcome back, I say! We need people like the Sheens, full of joie de vivre and a love of dance and theatre!
Pam Barr is back with the band singing You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You, but only one sweet couple are swaying on the dance floor. Then on to My Funny Valentine, which has brought out the Sheens for a romantic twirl and another couple who dance like a pair of pros... Who are they, I wonder? What I do know is that the combination of Chris Mitchell’s dreamy cool sax with Pam Barr’s powerful vocalizations is really quite divine, darlings! OH, YOU WISH YOU WERE HERE!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chris Mitchell, the fabulous band leader for the Private Lives Ball has just announced the song list - here it is:
Set One
Our Love Is Here To Stay (Foxtrot)
Pennies From Heaven
Fly Me To The Moon
It Had To Be You
Quando Quando Quando (Tango)
Always (Waltz)
Paper Moon (Foxtrot – Competition Song)
It don’t mean a thing
Set Two
Secret Love
Embraceable You (Foxtrot)
Your Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
My Funny Valentine
Teach Me Tonight
La Campanista (Tango – Competition Song)
Anniversary Waltz (Waltz)
I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Foxtrot)
Sweet Georgia Brown
Set Three
Sway
Satin Doll (Foxtrot)
Someday My Prince Will Come (Waltz Competition Song)
Stormy Monday
Come Rain or Come Shine
Never on a Sunday (Cha Cha)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Private Lives Ball
Visit our Facebook Page for fast breaking news at:
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=74137441368&aref=61804480
Here is the newly published schedule of events and fabulous prizes at the ball!
In support of The Montgomery Theatre
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Prince Of Wales Ballroom, Holland College,
140 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown
8 pm Opening Reception Complimentary Champagne available all night; Martini Bar opens with four specialty martinis, wine and beer, pop and juice available all evening ; canapés and crudités served
8:45 pm The Chris Mitchell Quintet featuring Vocalist Pam Barr
9 pm The Fox Trot Competition. Handmade Dessert Crepes available.
9:30 Ballroom Dancing Demonstration with Jack and Susan Lessard
10pm Tango Competition . Chocolate Fountain Opens
10:30pm Fashion Show with Karen Mair
11 pm The Auction
11:20 The Waltz Competition
11:30 Mid night Lunch with Tea and Coffee
Midnight The Last Dance
Prizes