It's a Wonderful Life at the Lion's Den Theatre

On Sunday I attended the Lion's Den Theatre production of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. They put the play on like an old-time radio show and we were the live studio audience. It was fantastic. The actors all did a wonderful job. It was easy to sit back and follow along while His Honour, played by Eric Fitzpatrick (the gentleman on the left), explained to Clarence, Angel Second Class, how this might finally be his chance to earn his wings.

Bedford Falls came alive in our imaginations through the superb acting and excellent live sound effects by Shawn Maggio and Mark Penny. The All-Female Trio: Girlband leant their voices to the songs of the era and I've never heard better.

I'd give this production 5 thumbs up! Job well done.

12 Angry Men: a review

I saw a most excellent live production of 12 Angry Men at the Lion's Den Theatre in Halifax last night. In the picture, the young man in the centre is Juror # 5, played by a family friend: Eric Fitzpatrick. He and his fellow actors did a superb job. The setting itself is quite simplistic: a table and 12 chairs. It takes place in the jury room and begins with the members of the jury being instructed by the judge to deliberate on a charge of murder in the first degree. The jurors come on stage, seat themselves, and immediately hold a vote: 11 guilty votes, 1 not guilty vote. The judge has instructed them that the vote must be unanimous as the death penalty will be applied if the defendant is found guilty. What follows are the arguments between the jurors as they try to decide if there is reasonable doubt in the case. In the end...well, you'll have to go see the play to find out. The production runs until August 5. I highly recommend you go.