De GE Ea ay a Room 44 — a room with several views by Michael Kelly When Stanley got out of the mental hospital a couple of his . friends came along. Bill and Bella hang around to remind him of the old times and to remind him of who he really is. Room 44 is the name of Daniel Barnswell’s play and the number of Stanley’s lodgings in the . Parthenon Hotel. An audience of about 200 local theater fans took up the invitation to share an even- ing there last week at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre, and it was an experi-- ence worth having. For most, anyway — a string of obscenities scripted for Bill and delivered with gusto by Joe Zucchiatti drove a handful of people out of the theater part way through the first half. It’s that nasty F-word again: you hear it on the streets, you hear in the schools, you hear it in the office. There’s no refuge, even in the theater. Room 44 is a full-length piece that moves right along and drags very little. The trials of the mental- ly ill can only become comedic when the audience is persuaded that they are hearing something very akin to their own inner voices, and the degree to which Barnswell succeeds in that. area . was apparent from the reaction of the audience. The laughter was appreciative and lacking in ran- cour. beauty of tachyons with his soon- to-be lover Helen (Connic Silveira), a sub-atomic particle physicist that he met through per- sonal ad placed in the newspaper. The play. is admirably layered and templated in a manner that provokes musings and realizations for several hours after leaving the theater. One of the nicer touches was the fact that Stanley's androgynous id lived in the bath- room while not out toying with his mind, a comment on twentieth century western Civilization that requires no further comment here, This production is at its best during the interplay between Stan- ley and his two daemons, and it cerlainly presented a sterling opportunity for Joe Zucchiatti and Marianne Weston to really let it rip. Zucchiatti should give serious . consideration to a career in the performing arts, playing the lusty and intense role of Bill counter- poised against Weston’s nattering and vengeful Bella. What could have been two disappointingly farcical performances came across instead with absurdly dignified conviction. Kevin Lorentz as Stan- ley was overwhelmed in this sitia- tion, but that is exactly what was called for in the character. | The play isn’t without it's prob- lems. Although the three main characters consume booze and pills throughout the first half, nothing quite prepared the audience for ‘iving the deme x Terrace Review -- Wednesday, June 6, 1990 B13 yns faces The name of the hotel is certain- Stanley being portrayed as Prome- ly not the only thing Greek in the theus chained to the rock and play. It becomes apparent during being tormented by a gigantic the first half that Bill and Bella are far too monomaniacal in character to qualify even as lunatics. They are the male and female agents of Stanley’s id, of ancient Greek psychology fame. There are some- hypodermic needle and an outsized, cocaine-covered butter knife instead of vultures (but it all comes down to the liver, doesn’t it?), It conveyed the impression that Euripides had been commis- what labored references to Prome- sioned to do a television spot theus, and Stanley discusses the against substance abuse, and the _ {Age 14 years ond up) Lucky Dollar SUNDAY: Terrace Athietics Association. every manth) every mont TUESDAY: Kermode Friendship Society WEDNESDAY: Terrace Blue Back Swim Club Terrace Paaks Gymnastics Regular Games - Order of the Royal Purple LATE NIGHT: Kinsmen Club of Terrace EVERYONE WELCOME! 4818 Highway 16 West ~ DOORS OPEN AT 4:30 P.M. - MONDAY: Terrace Minor Hockey (First three Mondays of Terrace Minor Baseball (Remaining Mondays of THURSDAY: Sponsoring Comm. to 747 Cadets EARLY FRIDAY: Canadian Paraplegic Association LATE FRIDAY: Nisga’a Tribal Council (Terrace Local) SATURDAY: Canadian Parents For French — Morning B.C, Paraplegic Foundatlan — Evening Terface Figure Skating Club - (Alternate) Thank youl Have a Nice day! Stanley is alternately tormented and comforted by his inner voices Bill and Bella in Daniel Bamsweil's original full-length piay Room 44. The production premiered in Prince Rupert for the zone drama festival at the end of April and was performed for the first time in Terrace last week. scene was primarily a success for the prop designer. Soliloquies by Stanley and Helen in the second half were lackluster, partly because the actors, need a bit more to work with, Although’. The Little Girl, (Sarah Weston) had her brief appearances legitimized in the end, her sorties onstage earlier in the play created confusion rather than intrigue. But where Room 44 succeeds, it does so in a big way. It’s a comp- lex, ambitious, entertaining play with a fascinating structure, Barns- well deserves congratulations, and the Terrace Little Theatre crew on both sides of the footlights once again delivered the high tevel of production that local audiences have come to expect from them. This piece is worth a second look. Let’s have it again sometime. Extra Games Terrace Inm NeEoWeS by Robert Q. Smith General Manager SUPER SUNDAYS Sundays are special at the Terrace Inn. Enjoy Terrace’s only Sunday Brunch between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. #8 a fabulous feast! Adults $10.95, Seniors $7.95 and Children $5.95. Sunday evening is Prime Rib Night at the Terrace Inn. Between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. we offer a great Prime Rib Dinner with all the trimmings. Super Sundays at the "new" Terrace Inn. BREAKFAST AT THE INN We open at 5:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday for Breakfast. Our specialties are Waffles, Pancakes, French Toast, Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict or the special Terrace Inn’s Good — Morning Breakfast. Join us mornings from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for breakfast. Saturday and Sunday we serve breakfast till 2:00 p.m. ‘SAFTER 5’? WIND DOWN Augie’s Lounge is the perfect spot to wind down after a busy day. Piano-stylings by Glen Fossum and complimentary hot hors d’ocuvres. It’s relaxing and fun, Monday to Friday, . + 5:00 p.m. + 7:00 p.m., try the ‘‘After 5°’ Wind Down at the “‘new’’ Terrace Inn. - 60 PLUS Join the 60 Plus Club. The Terrace Inn offers a free membership to the 60 Plus Club. It’s for Seniors 60 years and older who would like to enjoy great-discounts at the hotel, — 20% off food in our Dining Room and Lounge or 15% off regular room rates and 10% off our Hotel Packages including Golf and. Fishing. All you. have to do is drop down to the _ Front Desk of our hotel and get your free 60-Plus membership - card. 4551 Greig Avenue, Terrace, B.C. | . Phone: 635-6630. Fax:.635-2788.. . TOLL FREE: 1-800-663-8156]