VICTORIAN PLAYERS REVIEW Performance would make founder proud

Jean Kelty's legacy continued as the troupe she formed took to the stage.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The legacy of Jean McClure Kelty, founder and director of The Victorian Players, continued Thursday evening as the troupe she formed took to the stage at the Little Theatre Off Spring Commons in their first production without her, "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's production of 'Macbeth.'"
Kelty had chosen this hilarious play shortly before her death in November, and, in the directorial hands of Dawn Hoon and Tom Jones, a charmingly funny performance was presented.
The play is one of those wonderful comedies that is completely forgiving of any mistakes, because part of its hilarity comes from the boldly amateurish performances it requires of its actors to portray this farce written around Shakespeare's tragedy.
In truth, the audience would be hard-pressed to note whether any of the actors truly made a mistake or whether their comic antics are merely part of the action, thus making for a delightfully light evening of theater.
Cast
Joan Hamilton portrayed the society's prima donna actress, Thelma, with excellent aplomb and disgust for her fellow actors as she determinedly tried to play Macbeth against a backdrop of ineptitude, deliciously rendered by the rest of the cast.
Patricia Schauweker was an absolute scream as Kate, an injured performer who is playing one of the three witches (who has terrible timing) as well as MacDuff. Her sword fight with Macbeth from the confines of a wheelchair was inspired.
Bumbling about appropriately as several characters, including one of the witches and King Duncan, was Brendan Gilmartin. Jones as Henry, the stage manager pressed into service at the last minute to play Lady Macbeth, also was excellent.
Hoon was very good as Mrs. Reece, the society's leader, who also played Malcolm, Fleance, a doctor and Lady MacDuff.
Carol Matthews as Felicity, the second witch, Seyton, a murderer and a gentlewoman and Holly Taylor as Minnie, Banquo and Lady MacDuff's son were also equal to their task. Taylor's "lost voice" and frequent use of cough spray during the first few scenes was hilarious.
She would be pleased
As Hoon remarked before the performance, no one could fill Jean Kelty's shoes, but I'm sure Kelty would be well pleased with her group's efforts and their determination to follow in her footsteps.