Friday, November 16, 2007

Fast-rolling characters in 'Stones' gather no moss | www.azstarnet.com ®

Fast-rolling characters in 'Stones' gather no moss www.azstarnet.com ®

Fast-rolling characters in 'Stones' gather no moss
By Kathleen Allen
Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona
Published: 11.16.2007

Hollywood and rural Ireland.

Can't you just see the sparks fly?

The two meet head-on in 'Stones in His Pocket,' the season-opener for the Beowulf Alley Theatre Company. "

Jonathan Northover and Matthew Copley handle the roles that range from an American diva who can't quite grasp the musical Irish accent ("Don't worry," her director tells her, "Ireland is only 1 percent of the audience") to an aging Irishman who is the last surviving extra from the filming of the John Wayne movie "The Quiet Man" (released in 1952).

The changing of characters is done in an instant, with the crook of the body, or the wave of a hand.

There are wonderful moments in this production, especially Northover's diva, Caroline Giovanni, who was an airy hoot, and Copley's director's assistant, a delicious nervous Nellie.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Tucson Weekly : Arts : Rise of the Downtrodden

Tucson Weekly : Arts : Rise of the Downtrodden:
PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 15, 2007:

Rise of the Downtrodden
'Stones in His Pockets' turns discontent, exploitation into a funny, positive experience By JAMES REEL

Director Susan Arnold doesn't slight the play's comedic elements, but she does seem more interested in the serious implications of the second half; she and the actors downplay the obvious satire a bit--the performances would surely have been more over the top at some other local theaters--and end up treating Charlie and Jake with real integrity. So there's a lower bellylaugh count during the performance, but, thanks to this restraint, the play leaves a longer aftertaste.

Northover and Copley perform heroically, changing characters as quickly as they may swerve to left or right as they stride across the stage. And each character is quite distinct; once every figure has been introduced, you know instantly which character has now taken over an actor's body. Northover's accents are more diverse and precise than Copley's, but otherwise, the men are well-matched as smart performers. They are nicely supported by Jon Marbry's sound design and Bill Dell's lighting.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Tucson Weekly : Arts : Dramatic Comedy

Tucson Weekly : Arts : Dramatic Comedy:
PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 8, 2007

Dramatic Comedy

Beowulf Alley looks to get back on track with the acclaimed 'Stones in His Pockets'
By JAMES REEL

Beowulf Alley Theatre is switching off the ghost light and illuminating the stage with a new show, Marie Jones' Stones in His Pockets. The Irish comedy has won several awards since its premiere in 1999, and it garnered three Tony nominations in 2001.

Monday, November 05, 2007

2 actors to play 15 characters in 'Stones' | www.azstarnet.com ®

2 actors to play 15 characters in 'Stones' www.azstarnet.com ®:
2 actors to play 15 characters in 'Stones'
By Levi J. Long ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona Published: 11.02.2007"

It's taken three years to bring "Stones in His Pockets" to Tucson audiences.
Now with those pesky licensing agreements and final casting choices out of the way, the Beowulf Alley Theatre Company is ready to open the award-winning play next week as the first production of its 2007-08 season.