Play shares the gift of laughter

Page 12

Anyone familiar with Dickens' A Christmas Carol will immediately recognize the inspiration behind Ms. Purdy Parsimonias, the latest production from the always impressive Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC). The play, which is now on tour across Saskatchewan following a successful three week run at the company's Saskatoon home, takes the themes and basic plot of Dickens' classic tale, and gives them a decidedly modern, Aboriginal twist. The results are, in a word, hilarious.

Ms. Purdy Parsimonias is set on a generic reserve, in the days before Christmas. Times are tough for the reserve's residents, and everyone is anxiously awaiting their Christmas cheques from the band office. However, title character Purdy, the scrooge-like band manager, decides in her sorrow and bitterness not to distribute the cheques before the holiday. Enter the Spirits of the Four Directions, who show Purdy the effects her decisions have on her fellow band members, and help her to rediscover her compassion.

The play was written in 2001 by the SNTC Youth Ensemble, a group of developing artists under 30 who work under the SNTC umbrella, creating their own projects, supporting the company's other efforts, and honing their skills in all areas of theatrical production.

Ms. Purdy Parsimonias had a short run last Christmas, but the script and the production were both fine-tuned and polished prior to this year's more ambitious staging.

Director Ian Black, a stage and screen veteran, assisted in the revision process, and in his capable hands, the play moves along briskly, jumping between humorous high points without bogging down on the story's darker aspects. Adding to the comedic effect, the play's 12 characters are brought to life by only five cast members. Curtis Peeteetuce, Mitchell Poundmaker and Cheperyn Makokis each play three roles, and Raine Morin tackles two. Cara Weeseekase rounds out the cast, playing the central character of Purdy.

"The hardest part is playing a convincing old lady," said Makokis. "One lady who interviewed us said we looked like men in drag. The challenge is to make it real."

Few are apt to mistake Makokis, Peeteetuce or Poundmaker for genuine women, but playing a trio of old ladies who gather regularly for cards and complaining, they certainly provide many of the play's most amusing moments (including an inspired, Tom Jones accompanied dance number).

Other highlights include Peeteetuce's swaggering, California beach bum take on the North Spirit and Makokis' rapping Spirit of the South.

"Comedy is my base, it's what I started from. It's a good feeling to make people laugh," shared Makokis.

True show stealing honors (if anyone can be said to 'steal the show' amid such uniformly excellent performances) have to go to Mitchell Poundmaker -in each of his three roles, this natural performer's contagious enthusiasm shines through. With his facial contortions, wildly exaggerated motions and mannerisms, and anything-for-a-laugh mentality, Poundmaker is like a Native Jim Carrey, frantically dominating the stage and drawing energy from the sidesplitting roar of a captivated audience.

Ms. Purdy Parsimonias certainly isn't an original work, nor does it bravely delve into deep, contemporary Aboriginal issues, as have so many of the SNTC's earlier productions. Instead, it is light-hearted morality tale, with aspects of farce and slapstick comedy. It is SNTC's carefully crafted gift of Christmas hilarity, wrapped in smooth, attractive production values, and delivered with loving care by a confident, skilled cast and crew. And, in case this wasn't already obvious, it is also highly recommended viewing.

The play's current tour runs until Dec. 19. Scheduled dates include: Dec. 9 at Long Plain Reserve, Dec. 10 at Whitebear First Nation, Dec. 11 in Grenfell, Dec. 12 at Carry the Kettle First Nation, Dec. 13 in Saskatoon, Dec. 14 and 15 in La Ronge, Dec. 16 at Big Island Lake, Dec. 18 in Regina, and Dec. 19 in Prince Albert Additional venue and ticket information can be obtained by contacting the company at (306) 933-2262, or e-mailing them at info@sntc.ca.