Christy Chase's

The show does go on

This weekend, I witnessed two examples of actors dealing with the unexpected with grace and humour. At Class Act Dinner Theatre, a piece of the set came loose and ended up in the hands of two actors. The first time, it was a matter of a glance and replacement. The second time, it caused some laughter both on and off stage. One of the actors simply picked up the piece and, on making his scheduled exit, said he was taking the knob off with him, bringing another round of laughter in an already funny farce, Sin, Sex and the CIA. The knob didn't reappear. At Onstage Uxbridge's excellent production of Steel Magnolias, the actors were just a few lines away from the end of the final show when a bat started swooping through the hall. At first the actors were unaware of its presence and wondered what was causing an unusual amount of laughter and buzz from the audience. But they were enlightened quickly when the bat decided to explore the stage area, coming quite close to the actors. After a brief pause and some laughter, veteran actor and director Ruth Smith smoothly ad libbed that it was definitely time to clean up the place. After a round of applause and laughter, the actors resumed the play and received a deserved standing ovation . The bat, meanwhile, had disappeared so didn't get in on the curtain calls.

Only in Durham

I attended the opening reception of the Showcase of the Arts in Port Perry on Nov. 2, enjoying the varied work by many talented artists from Durham Region and beyond. During the official part (speeches, awards), Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce, in a reference to the high-flying loonie, said you couldn't buy the works on display any cheaper in the US. The real story is you couldn't buy any of this in the United States at all. What was on display over the weekend is made in Durham (and just outside the borders) by local artists. It's unique. So if you are looking for great Christmas or birthday gifts or if you just want to buy something amazing for yourself, look to local artists. I bought myself a great bracelet by glass-bead artist Kirsty Naray, of Ajax. It's my birthday present to myself. And I know exactly who made it. I like that.