Around the Clock
a funny, insightful look into what makes people tick
By Terry Pugh
Clark's Crossing Gazette
(November 17, 2011 edition)

"Don't be a saint, just be kind and polite. You'll do a lot less harm."

People are full of contradictions, and often what you see on the surface doesn't always reflect what lies deep within. That bit of advice spoken by one of the characters in "Around the Clock," the latest play by the Langham Theatrical Company, brings the point home in an entertaining and funny way.

The play, written by veteran playwright Nick Hall and directed by Sela Balzer of Langham, explores what makes people tick.
The production enjoyed a popular run over two weekends in early November, playing to sell-out crowds.

The script seems to start out in one direction, but just as it looks like things are getting predictable, it ends up covering ground that the audience wasn't quite expecting. The first act, like the winding of a clock, is quite mechanical. But it sets up the second act, where the real action takes place.

The plot revolves around a "play within a play" and uses a fair bit of symbolism in the form of a massive clock and mechanical figures that run along predetermined tracks.

The one-dimensional characters portrayed in the first act eventually become much more well-rounded, and complicated, in the second act. They are constantly coming off the rails, literally and figuratively, as their good points and their faults become more apparent.

Ultimately, the play skewers hypocrisy and hypocrites. A character who preaches political correctness and helping others is revealed as a controlling, lazy and manipulative leech. Another character who is introduced as a mean-spirited shrew turns out to be, despite her self-admitted faults, the most honest and caring of the bunch.

Hella MacDonald, who is usually involved behind-the-scenes in preparing meals for the dinner theatre as owner/operator of Creative Catering, appears on stage this year in a key role as Polly Harrison. She looks so comfortable in her role, it's easy to see that she shares a lot of the passion for drama that her twin sister, Sela Balzer, who directs the play.

Carol Affleck steals the show as Gillian Sheridan. In real life she works with Persephone theatre in Saskatoon, and her wealth of experience as a director and actor shows. She really brought her character to life - showing that beneath the cynical outer shell lies a very warm and caring person.

With an ensemble cast, every character plays off the others, and the other actors did a great job as well. Kelly Hiebert plays a conniving daughter who tries to hide her selfish motives behind a humanitarian facade; Taya Kuzek portrays a seductress who tries, not very successfuly, to be a virtuous maiden; Charity Meili's portrayal of a pregnant angel is both funny and charming.

But the biggest response from the audience was reserved for Monica Johnson's appearance as a knight in shining armour. Her character, a jaded and faded beauty, makes one memorable appearance on stage in a knight costume, complete with galloping steed and waving a big green "Rider Nation" banner.

The Langham dinner theatre consistently attracts big crowds who come not just for the drama, but for the superb meals. Each production always seems to raise the bar just a little higher than the year before.

The Education of Angels
By Terry Pugh
Clark's Crossing Gazette
(November, 2010)

It's ironic that Angels, who are supposed to inhabit lofty realms, apparently have to descend back down to Earth to receive their higher education.

But it's also nice to see that those who have passed on still retain their sense of humour.

"The Education of Angels", staged over the past two weekends as a dinner theatre production by the Langham Theatrical Company, earned excellent marks from audiences for its clever script and solid acting. A standing ovation at the end of the performance November 13 was indicative of how well the play was received.

Langham Theatrical Company Director Sela Balzer chose the play after seeing it performed by a community theatre group in Speers earlier this year, and decided it was a nice fit for her own group. The combination of humour, pathos and a surprise ending contained in playwright Matthew Carlin's script struck a chord with the appreciative audience. But even the best script needs a director, actors, and production crew to bring it to life – and that's where the Langham troupe shone.

Corinne Waldner stole most of the scenes she was in with her character of Jenna, an "Angel-in-Training" who is actually quite un-angelic. "Pushy" would be a kind way of characterizing her attitude and actions. She has all the subtlety of a snowplow. Still, she grows on you, and by the end of the play, she emerges as one of the most kind-hearted and sensitive of the protagonists. Beneath that blustery exterior is a soul yearning to help others – whether they want it or not.

It turns out her personality is just the ticket for "Dave", the character played by Steven Balzer. Dave is a chronically-insecure guy who's about to get married for the second time. But the prospective groom is having second thoughts on his wedding day, and his dilemma is aggravated by his ex-wife Natalie, played with a toxic flair by Crystal Levesque. Natalie likes to push Dave around – literally – and Jenna pushes Dave to push back.

The thing is, apparently, angels are invisible to most people. They are only seen by those people who need their help, so the one-way conversations with non-visible angels make for some interesting moments on stage.

While Jenna's character is aggressively helpful, the other Angel-in-Training is morose and even a little bitter. "Nicholas", played by Rocky Dyck, has still not gotten over the fact that he's had to leave behind his wife and child on earth. It's not until he comes across an old man on a park bench who shares some insights on life, love and taking the time to enjoy both. It seems that apparently, mortals can dispense wisdom to angels.

A great supporting cast includes Darrell Novakovski - the wise-cracking, stogie-smoking cab driver; Emery Ens – perfectly cast as the soft-spoken pastor; Tom Wall as the wisdom-dispensing old chap on the park bench; Evan Pady as Dave the groom's best friend, and Jordyn Kuzek – who plays the prospective young step-daughter of Dave. One of the nice touches was the provision of live music by an angelic duo – pianist Linda Gossen and vocalist Sonia Zacharias.

Of course, the theatre portion is only half the equation in a "dinner theatre" presentation. The superb meal prepared by Creative Catering was indescribably tasty. It's no wonder people keep coming back year after year to take in these productions. It's great entertainment, and it shows how professional a community theatre performance can be.

2010 The Education of Angels 2010

2010 Low German production of Onkel Jakob Sein Jeburtsdach and Onss Falt Ein Maun

2009 Ethan Claymore

2008 Deadly Ernest

2007 The Wild Guys

2007 Low German production of Na, Kinga and De Roude Laump

2006 The Sunshine Boys

2005 A Stranger for Christmas

1997 - 2005
including
2005 The Low German performances of Deh Ahpplebohm and Jehaun Vell Frieen
2005 French Toast
2004 Skipping Christmas
2003 Off the Tracks
2002 Send Me No Flowers
2001 On Golden Pond
2000 Steel Magnolias
1999 Plaza Suite
1998 The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue
1997 The Cemetery Club