Arsenic and Old Lace A Deadly Funny Mudds Underground Production - theHumm September 2018
Arsenic and Old Lace A Deadly Funny Mudds Underground Production - theHumm September 2018
By Mortimer Brewster
I was recently invited by the Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place to attend a rehearsal for their latest offering, Arsenic and Old Lace.
I was surprised at first, as most of the productions I’ve reviewed in New York claim to be “show-ready”, when they really ought to have another few years in rehearsal (or be chucked into the bin altogether). The upfront honesty of the Mudds still being “in rehearsal” caught me, albeit charmingly, off-guard.
Those who know me or my column will know that I don’t pull any punches, even with a show that is as close to me as this one. This old warhorse of a farce has quite the name to it, thanks in no small part to the Cary Grant movie that is based upon it. In essence, the show revolves around the fact that the Brewster family is a group of homicidal lunatics with no clear moral compass whatsoever.We’re told of the sordid family history on multiple occasions (just in case you didn’t catch it the first or even seventh time around), but throughout the show that history, and the consequences thereof, bear almost no weight at all, as the crimes committed before and during the show go virtually unpunished by the final curtain call.
I myself have been involved, in one way or another, with many productions, and I can attest that this one is substantively no different than any of the others. The one-note characters, absurdly simple plot and rampant amoral attitudes strewn throughout the show are cleverly hidden betwixt physical comedy and (allegedly) humorous misunderstandings.
I will admit to a chuckle or two escaping from my lips while watching these absurdities play out in front of me, in spite of myself, though mainly because suspension of disbelief for this show is stretched appallingly thin, just to maintain the illusion of entertainment.
I cannot say that this show is one of my favourites; however, this particular production has managed to be my least-hated rendition.
The director and cast have somehow managed to leave few, if any, opportunities for absurdist comedy untouched, doing their bit to make the show (such as it is) as appealing as possible to a wide audience, and they have made great strides in so doing, it would seem.
All in all, there are shows that I would rate higher and recommend more than this one; however, of all the unfortunate productions of the unfortunate show that is Arsenic and Old Lace I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing, I haven’t a one that I would place higher on the list than this one.
Should you choose, at your own risk, to see this amusingly-staged debacle for yourself, you can find tickets at ticketsplease.ca , by phone at 485–6434, or by emailing tickets@ticketsplease.ca . They can also be procured in person from the Visitor’s Centre located at the Matheson House Museum (11 Gore St. East in Perth).
Somewhat astoundingly, this production has been scheduled for six performances, on September 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:30pm, and on September 23 and 30 at 2pm, all at the Carleton Place Town Hall auditorium, located at 175 Bridge St. in, aptly, Carleton Place.
Tickets are $22 ($17 for September 23). Should you care to, you can find more details at mississippimudds.ca .
A Celtfest Call to Action - theHumm September 2018
By — Susan Ryan
To say that Almonte Celtfest 2018 was a success would definitely be an understatement, and the organizers couldn’t be prouder. The weather gods were definitely on our side this year as we welcomed ......
Doors Open Returns to Smiths Fall for 2018! - theHumm September 2018
After an absence of more than three years, Doors Open will return to Smiths Falls this year, taking place on Saturday, September 15 at various locations around the town. The Ontario Heritage Trust ......
The Ragged FlowersPlay SchoolBOX Fundraiser - theHumm September 2018
Almonte’s favourite five-piece alt-neo-psychedelic-folk-rock band, The Ragged Flowers, invites you to a night of groovy original music in support of the local charity SchoolBOX on Saturday, Septemb......
Arsenic and Old Lace A Deadly Funny Mudds Underground Production - theHumm September 2018
By Mortimer Brewster
I was recently invited by the Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place to attend a rehearsal for their latest offering, Arsenic and Old Lace.
I was surprised at first, as most of the productions I’ve ......
The Business of Murder A Killer Mystery at the Studio Theatre - theHumm September 2018
By — Paul Joyce
As every theatre-goer knows, murder mysteries generally start off with a Bang! and then wend their duplicitous way, via clues and misdirects, to the killer’s doorstep. It’s a comfortable, time-hono......
In Conversation with an Arrogant Worm - theHumm September 2018
By — Mike McCormick is a founding member of the Arrogant Worms. This interview was conducted Humm correspondent Mike McCormick, who lives in Greater Madawaska. Powdered peanut butter is produced squishin
theHumm: The obvious question is, how did you get the name?
Mike McCormick: Well, both McCormick and my middle name Alexander are from my father; Michael I think just sounded nice.
That’s not w......
Flare for Fashion –The Perennial Dilemma - theHumm September 2018
I trust you have put away the white shoes and gloves, it now being after Labour Day, and you are preparing to revisit your closet to make way for the latest fall trends. Of course you are excited a......
Expressions of Art - theHumm September 2018
The West Carleton Arts Society will present their popular annual “Expressions of Art” exhibition and sale on the weekend of October 5–7 at the Carp Agricultural Hall. The vernissage takes place on ......
It’s Alive! - theHumm September 2018
By — Tony Stuart is the Music Director of Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place, and a freelance professional musician.
Music has always played a vital role in movies, especially those of the horror or thriller variety. If I mention Psycho, most people automatically hear the stabbing music played by the violins duri......
Blue Jeans Classical A Casual Classical Music Series at MERA - theHumm September 2018
Back by popular demand, cellist Paul Marleyn and pianist Frédéric Lacroix will be performing at the MERA Schoolhouse on Sunday, September 9 at 2pm. This is the first of three Blue Jeans C......
Community Choirs: Come Sing With Us! - theHumm September 2018
September is singing time, as community choirs throughout the area start their fall rehearsals and begin gearing up towards holiday performances. If you’re ready to expand your performance venues b......
Nine Fine Nights of the Blues - theHumm September 2018
Blues On The Rideau is pleased to announce their 2018/19 line-up. This dinner and show fundraiser series that has been running at The Cove Country Inn in Westport is recognized as one of the premie......
TGIF for Almonte Lectures! - theHumm September 2018
By — Glenda Jones
The “Great Information Freeway” returns to the Almonte United Church Hall on Friday, September 28 with the first of seven lectures presented by the Almonte Lectures series. This longstanding series......
Choral Evensong Featuring the Music of Healey Willan - theHumm September 2018
By — Hilary Barrett
St. James the Apostle Anglican Church in Perth will be holding a special Choral Evensong on the afternoon of Sunday, September 23 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Healey Willan, ......
The LYNNeS Play Perth for Interval House - theHumm September 2018
By — Steve Tennant
As the temperature starts to drop and we leave our toasty summer behind, we’re left with fond memories of this summer’s special moments. Be it beautiful vacation destinations, gatherings with famil......
Australian Choirto Perform in PerthCFUW Open House - theHumm September 2018
Maybe you’ve heard of CFUW’s Perth & District Chapter from their annual Christmas House Tour, or perhaps you know one of their 137 community members. The Canadian Federation of University Women......
The Crown & Pumpkin One of the Most Artistically Diverse Tours in Eastern Ontario - theHumm September 2018
The Crown & Pumpkin tour returns on Thanksgiving weekend (October 6–8 from 10am to 5pm daily) in the Clayton and Almonte areas. There will be over 55 participating artists and artisans at 20 en......
A New Look for the Carleton Place Legion - theHumm September 2018
By — Darcy Chalmer
This past spring, the Legion Branch 192 in Carleton Place was honoured to invite Mayor Louis Antanakos and the Town Council of Carleton Place to join them for their Grand Re-Opening.
For over 70 ......
Dedication of Byrne Big Creek Nature Preserve - theHumm September 2018
You are invited to join Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) and the family of Joel Byrne for a celebration of his generous donation of the Byrne Big Creek Nature Preserve, now protected in perp......
Bee a Friend to Nature Invite Beneficial Bees to Take Up Residence in Your Backyard - theHumm September 2018
Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) invites families and all interested individuals to participate in a Bee Hotel Workshop on Sunday, September 16 from 10am to 12:30pm at the High Lonesome Natu......
Bells CreateWaves in Basin - theHumm September 2018
If you have ever struck a tuning fork and held it to a bowl of water, you will recall that the vibrations create a little splash. If so many vibrations come from one tuning fork, you can imagine th......
Galleries & Back Roads - theHumm September 2018
RESERVOIR
From August 24 to September 30, Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present RESERVOIR, a collaborative installation of sound and stone sculpture by Almon......
Celebrate St. Paul’s Creative Community HUB - theHumm September 2018
After many months of planning, major renovations and a half-million-dollar investment in Perth’s St. Paul’s United Church Creative Community HUB project, the council and congregation are pleas......
Light up the CP Labyrinth - theHumm September 2018
Let’s “Light up the Labyrinth” together — from 6:30–9pm on Friday, September 7. During this event, the warm glow of more than 600 candlelit luminaries will flicker along the path of ......
Library Doors Open in Smiths Falls - theHumm September 2018
Now that we’ve read all summer long and chewed over the books we liked and didn’t like, it’s time to think about writing one. On September 15, at Doors Open, the Smiths Falls Library is going to he......
Mississippi Mills Puts the Arrr in Arts September Brings Concerts, Fibrefest, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Lots More! - theHumm September 2018
By Sally Smith
I don’t know about you, but in the last few days of August, I feel like a deckhand whose ship has been overrun with pirates: walking the plank of summer, with only a step or two left before the dar......
Perth Autumn Studio Tour: 26 Years Young! - theHumm September 2018
In 1968, a group of free-spirited visionaries moved onto what had once been the Brennan farm, west of Perth, and created the vibrant, alternative community of Brooke Valley. Their dream of a sustai......
The Ottawa Bach Choir 17th Season of Glorious Choral Music - theHumm September 2018
By — Gaye Moffett
The Ottawa Bach Choir (OBC) would like to welcome you to its seventeenth season of glorious choral music! Over the past sixteen years the professional ensemble, founded by conductor Lisette Canton,......
Get Involved at the Studio Theatre! - theHumm September 2018
The Studio Theatre is a fully accessible 197-seat venue known for its great acoustics and intimate atmosphere. It’s also the only 100% volunteer-run theatre in Perth! We currently need volunteers f......
Community Skill SharingTeens & Seniors Community GroupLooking to Launch New Program - theHumm September 2018
The Secret History of Soldiers
Historian Tim Cook will speak about his new book The Secret History of Soldiers at 2pm on September 30 at the Almonte Library. His enthusias......
A Songstress and Her Six-piece Renée Landry Band Coming to the Station Theatre - theHumm September 2018
You may not have heard of this Sault Ste. Marie native, but once you hear Ottawa-based Renée Landry sing, you are sure to become a fan. Her powerhouse blues vocals and fiery stage presence have bee......
She Said Yes to the Dress Wedding Gown Fashion Show in Carleton Place - theHumm September 2018
By — Susan Burke
My grandmother, Harriet Law, kept her wedding dress after she married Einar Holseth in 1913. My mother stored the dress until it was my turn to guard this piece of family history. All of Harriet’s ......
Café Whim in Smiths Falls - theHumm September 2018
Readers of this column already know that Weetbix does not write reviews or ads; however, a disclaimer is, in any case, necessary. We do not claim impartiality and have a declared policy of only wri......
It’s For (Viewing) the Birds! - theHumm September 2018
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists (MVFN) are very pleased to announce the grand opening of the “MVFN Mike McPhail Bird Viewing Shelter” at the Almonte Lagoon.
This special project was conc......
Growing MAGnificently! - theHumm September 2018
Twenty-four MAG artists are busy getting their studios prepped and ready for this year’s Merrickville Artists Guild MAG Studio Tour and Sale to be held in the village and surrounding countryside on......
Sustainable Living Talks at the Library - theHumm September 2018
Bill and Lorraine Kemp from Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee are local single-origin small-scale coffee roasters with a focus on quality and attention to detail. They have lived ......
The Old Stone Mill A Daytrip Destination in Delta - theHumm September 2018
The Old Stone Mill in Delta, Ontario is a National Historic Site showcasing milling technology and 1800s industrial heritage. Built in 1810, it is one of the finest examples of early industrial arc......
AOG Gallery Private Collection Opening for Culture Days - theHumm September 2018
By — Russ Disotell
Frankville’s AOG Gallery could be described as a private collection of contemporary art complete with grounds dotted with a variety of sculptures. It could be, but that in no way does it justice or......
Jul 8 Storytime with Heidi at the Maberly Hall
Jul 8 Storytime with Heidi at the Maberly Hall
Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 - 27 Bloomfest Garden Art Show & Sale
Jul 18 - 27 Bloomfest Garden Art Show & Sale
Jul 26 Craft and Colour
- Jim Fisher — Popularizing Art
- Back by Popular Demand Almonte Craft Beer Fest Returns on July 25
- Have You Heard this Joke Before?
- Celebrating Elder Trees in Perth
- Stewart Park Festival Full Lineup and Super Schedule for 2025!
- 5th Merrickville Festival of the Arts A Marvelous Mix of the Arts from July 25–27
- HerbFest Returns A Celebration of Healthy Living, Music, and Local Flair
- BarnDoor Productions Bringing Summer Shakespeare Back to Perth
- A Community Yart Sale!
- Transform Your Garden with Art From Birdhouses to Bold Sculptures — Find them at Bloomfest!
