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mfflwmwm w second city fun alive and well by elizabeth yvyatt the second city national touring company returned to the markham theatre last week as the second pre sentation in the theatres subscrip tion series but in all other aspects it rated only firsts not having seen second city live since i was last at the old firehall some years ago and with sctv now off the air i wondered as the house lights dimmed if it had had its day would we have seen it all before the answer was a resounding no i cant remember when ive laughed so long and loud alas as i did last wednesday night the material is as fresh and irreverant as it ever was the sevenmember cast five men two women is as bright and talented and quickwitted as weve come to expect members of this famous company to be second citys reputation is based on the art of improvisation build ing sketches from a given and in its case unlikely set of characters and situations the actors provide their own dialogue most of the program consists of prepared and polished improvs de veloped by the cast in workshops and many of these are based on promising material gleaned from former shows in the popular seg ment where the cast improvises spontaneously on suggestions from the audience the humor is offthewall the playing style understated and laid back but the deadpan delivery and controlled energy of the cast pre cipitate nothing but hilarity from first to last right off the top we are treated to a dazzling display of the unpredicta bility that is a hallmark of second citys appeal alana shields is having a freu dian nightmare in which charac ters merge and change in a succes sion of unexpected developments creating surprise after illogical sur prise adding twist after improb able twist it is a tour de force of imagination and it throws the audience off ba lance and prepares them for any thing they get it sketches come thick and fast based on such diverse premises as a voyeur and his victim becoming romantically involved a father trying to relieve his small daughter of nuclear anxiety youre much more likely to walk out of this house and get run over by a car wind sors customs and immigration office closed for redecorating the definitive version of lm mont- looking for catering thats a wrap 24 hour catering service ali occasions all sizes 7310334 after 5 pm ask for adrian city 7 driving school rccistetaf and approved by the ontario salety league lo educate drivers m ontario new courses lor all ages start every neck shop and compare day evening saturdays and vacation breaks 1 25 hours ol classroom instruction 12 private drring lessonsautomaic 480 mm 1 national driving lest enquire about our gearshift course regular course fee 209 kb economist course fee 195 when you present this ad upon l application i insurance save 41 certificates within 21 days 01 less b income ia fully deductible b gilt certificates available 9 esenton w e stb 228 it keanedy rd i 559z yoose st to 35 sear yiaserach sahwy i 2357 rut wwktmroa4 fflff pick-tit- 21 hr service r 5322626 or 5323656 m scnm tour trea gju ifmmmmuilkwipim gomerys classic as done by scifi director david cronenberg anne of green gables weve buried you here today they are interspersed with songs like fade away about the effect of free trade on our cutesy culture or with quickies like the one ab out a man who overdosed on novo- caine at the dentists its all one conservative party he blubbers and ill cry if i want to the casts expertise in mime shines through in some expressive body language particularly in an inventive takeoff of video game- cumwestern barroom brawl done entirely without dialogue and the facile blending of unlikely elements is given onthespot de monstration in the impromtu third act when the audience supplies the material aids thatll be a laugh riot the stock market crash and trucks on main st produced a riotous meeting of the markham town coun cil the poor misunderstood truck drivers were only trying to help the victims of the crash off the street one womans memories of buying penny candy from the crotchety old proprietor of a corner store in mon treal i could have kicked him in the patoot led to a sidesplitting melange of fractured french colin mochrie starred as the childhating mr patoot the rest of the cast were a variety of small victims mochrie is outstanding his tim ing is a joy to behold his charm and boynextdoor looks are endearing but all are worthy of mention ed sahley is particularly good and he and crone are masters of the second city style sheilds persona combines reflec tions of two of the companys most distinguished alumnae catherine ohara and andrea martin jackie brown is a natural com edienne though her diction and pro jection need work some of her lines were incomprehensible the goodnatured garry camp bell appeared to be as amused as he was amusing and dennis cutts the newest member of the troupe was memorable as a blankfaced fast food order jockey with fresh and funny young ta lents like these surfacing every year the future of comedy is se cure right now it is alive and well and living at second city alex alexandrovich the music stand will be hosting the special talents of alex alexandrovich thursday dec 10th 130 pm 7 pm on the tfecllilics organ pianos free admission free refreshments free clinics on piano organ mmc 227 main st n station plaza 2944603 2942662 where do you get the best food great service fantastic atmosphere toetapping music the best pizza large after 10 menu at la villetta thats where dj friday and saturday night at 830 so come for dinner or lunch or just sit at the bar and relax pizza vi price after 900 pm fri or sat dine in only valid til jan 3088 call rebecca 6401670 stouffville la villetta j mjpgss airway tours travel sunshine for sale ten f acapulco special- includes discount off selected package 14 nights at the 5 star hotel raddison paraiso ocean view via wardair with inflight meals and bar service transfers taxes daily buffet breakfast an evening cruise on acapulco bay with open bar tour representative departs jan 1488 only 059 269 wellington st w mccowan rd 7 4718687 471 tour reluming home charles e dcbetlc 1987 annual christmas show opens today at 1 pm join the gallery staff and artist in celebration exhibition and sale of original works by 20 contemporary artists exhibition continues through dec 24 1987 bremner fineart 60 bullock dr markham 2941104 lmjjjjk