From Library Journal
For almost 50 years, Canada's Stratford Festival has been both the preeminent North American repertory company for Shakespearean performance and a seemingly endless wellspring showcasing original dramatic works. A recent corporate sponsorship now yields the marvelous "Bank of Montreal Stratford Festival" series of staged readings that, in the case of the three entries here, were recorded between 1995-97. All are original, smaller scale works with a strong biographical bent featuring prominent literary and dramatic figures reminiscing in the twilight of their careers. The marvelous Bernard Hopkins delights as Colley Cibber, the manager of Drury Lane for 20 years and a dominant figure in the fertile English theater of the 18th century. As Mr. Cibber, Hopkins regales us with one amusing story and anecdote after another about the leading theatrical figures of the day. In Blake, Douglas Campbell, a featured company member of the Stratford Festival for decades and an actor possessed of a truly incredible vocal instrument, recites and sings the visionary verse of the divinely touched poet William Blake. Sarah Bernhardt, for whom the expression drama queen was coined (or should have been), is the subject of Memoir, the only piece among the three prominently featuring two actors. Pat Galloway is the deliciously over-the-top divine Miss B. dictating her imaginary second volume of memoirs to her amanuensis, Georges Pitou. The performances are exceptional, and the production values high. As staged readings, these pieces were all recorded in front of audiences, whose responses throughout are integral parts of the recordings. We are all indebted to the Stratford Festival for these stellar works; with the fecundity of their dramatic soil, this should continue in perpetuity. Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Famed for her "golden voice" and her highly emotional performances in tragic and melodramatic roles, French actress Sarah Bernheardt (1845-1923) was the foremost leading lady of her age. Legendary for her unconventionality and her extremes of passion, she counted among her triumphant performances as Corlia in "King Lear", the Queen in "Ruy Blas", Phedra, Marguerite Gautier, Tosca and Fedora. She also enjoyed great success in "Hamlet" - not as Ophelia, but as the Prince - and as Pellead, her love of challenge led her to take on the most demanding of roles regardless of disparities of age or even gender. In "Memoir", John Murrell choreographs a memory dance for Bernhardt as she recalls the forces and personalities that have shaped her life. Facing an overwhelming need to preserve her experiences, she begins to dictate her memoirs to her faithful secretary, George Pitou. As she and George begin to recreate the personalities and events of long ago, past and present merge into one gloriously poignant moment and the Mediterranean background fades into the recollected landscape of a life fully and exuberantly lived. Produced at the state of the art recording studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with sound effects and music. Performed by Douglas Chamberlain and Pat Galloway Music Composed by Laura Burton Approximate Duration 1 Hour
Memoir FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
For almost 50 years, Canada's Stratford Festival has been both the preeminent North American repertory company for Shakespearean performance and a seemingly endless wellspring showcasing original dramatic works. A recent corporate sponsorship now yields the marvelous "Bank of Montreal Stratford Festival" series of staged readings that, in the case of the three entries here, were recorded between 1995-97. All are original, smaller scale works with a strong biographical bent featuring prominent literary and dramatic figures reminiscing in the twilight of their careers. The marvelous Bernard Hopkins delights as Colley Cibber, the manager of Drury Lane for 20 years and a dominant figure in the fertile English theater of the 18th century. As Mr. Cibber, Hopkins regales us with one amusing story and anecdote after another about the leading theatrical figures of the day. In Blake, Douglas Campbell, a featured company member of the Stratford Festival for decades and an actor possessed of a truly incredible vocal instrument, recites and sings the visionary verse of the divinely touched poet William Blake. Sarah Bernhardt, for whom the expression drama queen was coined (or should have been), is the subject of Memoir, the only piece among the three prominently featuring two actors. Pat Galloway is the deliciously over-the-top divine Miss B. dictating her imaginary second volume of memoirs to her amanuensis, Georges Pitou. The performances are exceptional, and the production values high. As staged readings, these pieces were all recorded in front of audiences, whose responses throughout are integral parts of the recordings. We are all indebted to the Stratford Festival for these stellar works; with the fecundity of their dramatic soil, this should continue in perpetuity. Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Art & Photography
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