Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Daughter's stage flight with 'old bastard' a success
THE mission for actress Linda Griffiths in her new dramatic monologue was to reconnect with her Second World War veteran father and get him to his squadron's last RAF reunion in England without starting a Third World War.
The Last Dog of War, which opened the 20th season of Theatre Projects Manitoba Thursday night, is a compelling, deceptively simple telling of the Griffiths' 2005 overseas journey that was almost as risky and flak-filled as his 1940s bombing sorties to Berlin. The dark-haired Toronto actress, best known for writing and performing the national hit Maggie & Pierre, ascended the stage pulling her wheeled suitcase and off into the wild blue wonder she piloted her audience/passengers on an entertaining 75-minute flight of fancy.
Theatre review
The Last Dog of War
Theatre Projects Manitoba
To Nov. 14 at Costume Museum of Canada
Tickets: $20, $17 seniors, $15 students
4 stars out of 5
Griffiths appeared perfectly at ease, thanks to director/dramaturge Daniel MacIvor, as if enthusiastically telling a good yarn among friends. Actually, she designated the 80-90 spectators to be her "chosen family." The DIY production values gave The Last Dog of War the feel of a fringe festival production as did the untraditional Exchange District venue, the Costume Museum of Canada on Pacific Avenue. The subject and setting created some interesting images; like Griffiths pretending to be a bomber machine-gunner in front of a large shelf of vintage women's hats.
She introduces dad as "the old bastard" with whom she used to watch old black-and-white war movies with as a child. War was the currency in her Canadian household but her father, a Yorkshire wireless operator who flew 30 missions in Lancaster heavy bombers, was grudgingly uncommunicative about his experiences.
Griffiths thought accompanying the still living 82-year-old Kingston resident to the reunion would be a chance for them to bond around war. She battled to convince him to go and then to outflank an officious organizer intent to ground them. They got over there and come to a new understanding about war and peace.
The playwright narrates in detail the horror of a typical bombing raid to Germany, from the crew urinating on the back wheel of their bomb-laden plane before they climb in for the long flight, to the tense flight home in their often damaged Lanc. Griffiths, the performer, dons a bomber jacket, helmet and googles, using her extended suitcase handle as both the plane's steering wheel and machine-gun. It's all very Billy Bishop Goes to War and theatrically satisfying. The effect is to be reminded and deeply appreciative of the sacrifice of "the old bastard" and his fellow flyboys.
For Griffiths, her mission is personally and professionally accomplished.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 7, 2009 C8
-
WFP Hockey
Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates
-
Editor's Bulletin
Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand
-
Winnipeg Jets
All things NHL on our Jets landing page
-
Twitter
Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter
-
News Cafe
Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events
-
Facebook Fanpage
Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events
Ads by Google
- Back to Top
- Return to The Arts
Poll
Most Popular
- Two Mounties shot and wounded in rural area southeast of Edmonton
- Jury on Stobbe trial down to 13 members
- Police say it's a miracle anyone survived crash that killed 10 migrant workers
- Madonna 'not impressed' over M.I.A Super Bowl finger
- Jets defeat Leafs 2-1
- M.I.A. splits from fiance
- LeAnn Rimes in pain following 'minor surgery'
- Jets forwards among cellar-dwellers in payroll, goals scored
- Stobbe said slaying during shopping trip 'strange': sister-in-law
- Older drivers facing more impaired charges
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Three winning tickets sold for Friday's $50 million Lotto Max jackpot
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Woman sexually assaulted during noon-hour in Exchange District
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Smith injured after transit fare protest
- Two armed men rob store at Grant Park Shopping Centre
- Eleven people killed after truck hits van in southwestern Ontario
- Nick Carter's sister dies
- Do you smoke marijuana?
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- George Clooney's prank could end Pitt's career
- Clothing chain pulls Caterpillar boots to protest closure of London, Ont., plant
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Tina Maze strips down to her sports bra to send out underwear message: 'Not your business'
- Group's speed-limit sign removed from Pembina Highway
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Two children, two women die in fire
- Kate Beckinsale's weight fears over Underworld catsuit
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- Golf course pressured on outstanding payments
- Trapped bear commits vehicular mauling, also manages to open garage door
- All the single ladies: 'Bachelor Canada' launches tour to find contestants
- Conservatives cut short House of Commons long-gun registry debate
- Power outage over
- Two Mounties shot and wounded in rural area southeast of Edmonton
- Spanking hurts more than helps, studies find
- Ottawa hits ex-rural pharmacist with $3.1-M suit over suspect claims
- Casting tour for The Bachelor Canada stopping in city Feb. 23
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- Northern fishing lodge destroyed by fire
- Police target drivers talking on cellphones, texting
- Woman's car stolen at gunpoint at St. Vital mall, police say
- Obama torn by conflicting allies
- 'This is so silly': Mom and Dad tell story of baby Zade, born on side of Highway 59
- Time, it appears, is on Assad's side
- Baird says Canada is a better friend of Israel than United States is
- Minor earthquake strikes near Manitoba
- Paddler Starkell was modern-day voyageur
- Driver dead after SUV goes over Disraeli Bridge
- Car's plunge off Disraeli fatal
- Local shooting spoofed on SNL
- Winnipeg mother watches as car stolen with child inside
- Canadian woman 'badly injured' in Mexico, local media report apparent beating
- Swedish bunny's sheep herding skills becomes click-monster on YouTube
- League encourages hazing secrecy
- 4 dead in northern Ontario plane crash
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.