The Fixer-Upper

by Ivy Wigmore

Some months back, when Laurel Smyth was discussing plans for The Fixer-Upper, she said that she’d balked at playing Phyllis the Sexpot in addition to her major role of Aunt Tillie. Smyth, who says she has “just five years to go ‘til the pensions kick in,” felt that the character wasn’t a good match for her at this stage in her career. However, she soon thought of reconsidering. Without missing a beat, playwright Lorne Elliott had replied, “Oh fine then—I’ll play Phyllis myself.”

Review  Chuck & Albert

by Peggy Miles

Whether it’s energy or energie, Chuck & Albert have it. Whatever energy elixir Chuck & Albert are tapping, I want some. And if the dynamic duo ever decided to bottle it, they would never be able to keep up with demand.

If you’re an Islander, you’re probably familiar with these Acadian performers who serve up music, dance and comedy to enthusiastic audiences on a regular basis. And if you’re from away, attending a Chuck & Albert show is sure to be unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed before.

The Last Resort

by Ann Thurlow

When I was a kid, my parents took me to the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. It was, and still is, a legendary theatre, a place to see what’s called “summer stock”—a nice mixture of familiar shows and venerable actors. I was reminded of this when I went to The Mack to see The Last Resort. Lots of talent, many of whom have swanned in for the summer, and a play that is as comfortable and familiar as an old sneaker.

The Big Red Radio Show

by Ann Thurlow

So usually when I review things, I tell you what I think. But this time I’m going to tell you what the people sitting around me thought. Because it was a very eclectic group who attended the opening of The Big Red radio show. And they all loved it.

The show tells the story of CFCY radio. Back before the internet, before many people had TV, when many Maritimers were too far from the road to even get the paper, CFCY was the lifeline for all the news, both important and trivial. It made musical careers (think Gene MacLellan and Don Messer). It was where you went to find out who died and where to get a deal on used furniture. The story is told through the people who worked there, most notably Loman MacAulay and Betty Large, the lady whose stories entertained children for years.

Country Prose
by Charlie Hansen

Riding Out The Storm - Doug Young This month I’d like to talk about a couple of new CD offerings, one by Doug Young and one by Marie MacIntyre.

Let’s talk about Doug Young first. Doug is a native of Newfoundland who presently lives in Charlottetown and acts as the manager of a local fish processing operation.