The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth
at Ridley College

Reviewed on November 2, 2019

Keerthana Srikanth
Beamsville District Secondary School
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

The show must go on.

One might think they know the meaning of this timeless phrase, having heard it their whole life.

However, Ridley College's performance of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth" redefines this expression and displays it in a whole new light.

The Farndale Avenue franchise, originating in the 1970s, aimed to present popular works of literature through a play within a play. Created by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr., the comedies show the struggles of the elderly women in the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate as they attempt to put on a production in front of an adjudicator and audience. They are of course hindered by problem after problem.

Ridley College's adaptation followed the students at Farndale Academy hoping to put on a production of Macbeth in front of the Cappies Critic in attendance, with their own fair share of problems to solve, the biggest of which being the male stage manager being forced to take on the role of Lady Macbeth in the absence of the actress.

The production was nothing short of hilarious; it was skillfully done, with the near-perfect sense of balance needed for a show that must be performed poorly in order to be performed well. It showed the genuine effort of a group of amateur students as they try to put on an infamous play, while also being the only time one would hear lyrics from "Bohemian Rhapsody" be substituted for lines from "Macbeth".

Of course, none of this could have been done without the incredible acting by the cast, many of whom were cast in two roles - a student at Farndale Academy and a character in "Macbeth".

Perhaps the most notable performance in this case was that of Quinten Neudorf, who started as Quinn, the Stage Manager, but then reluctantly became Lady Macbeth. His performance could make any audience member crack a smile, but was also able to show growth as Quinn's portrayal of Lady Macbeth slowly became more confident.

Abigail Sullivan's seamless improvisation within her level-headed character, Abby, the President of the group, and Vega Armstrong's attitude filled performance of Macbeth must also be commended.

A definite highlight of the show was the seemingly impossible, yet impressive, speeds with which Marika Kovacsics recited Shakespearean soliloquies during her role as the Producer.

The authenticity of the show was heightened by the purposely faulty lighting cues designed by Kris Su and executed by Rozhina Mazhar, and the sound, also done by Kris Su. The "accidental" disco lighting and abrupt sound cues added to the amateur feeling Ridley College hoped to achieve.

Furthermore, the costume choices made by Olivia Chen accurately showed how little the students at Farndale Academy knew about "Macbeth" with kilts and Adidas sneakers, which often doubled as weapons along with pirate swords.

While the execution of some jokes fell flat at times, the cast was not phased and would have the audience laughing again within seconds.

Whether it brings about flashbacks of personal theatre struggles or simply makes you laugh, "The Farndale Macbeth" is an amazing show and the performance put on by Ridley College did the show nothing but justice, with the cast and crew mastering perfect imperfection. It left the audience smiling, but also perhaps in need of a Shakespeare brush-up.

Keerthana Srikanth
Beamsville District Secondary School
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

The show must go on.

One might think they know the meaning of this timeless phrase, having heard it their whole life.

However, Ridley College's performance of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth" redefines this expression and displays it in a whole new light.

The Farndale Avenue franchise, originating in the 1970s, aimed to present popular works of literature through a play within a play. Created by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr., the comedies show the struggles of the elderly women in the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate as they attempt to put on a production in front of an adjudicator and audience. They are of course hindered by problem after problem.

Ridley College's adaptation followed the students at Farndale Academy hoping to put on a production of Macbeth in front of the Cappies Critic in attendance, with their own fair share of problems to solve, the biggest of which being the male stage manager being forced to take on the role of Lady Macbeth in the absence of the actress.

The production was nothing short of hilarious; it was skillfully done, with the near-perfect sense of balance needed for a show that must be performed poorly in order to be performed well. It showed the genuine effort of a group of amateur students as they try to put on an infamous play, while also being the only time one would hear lyrics from "Bohemian Rhapsody" be substituted for lines from "Macbeth".

Of course, none of this could have been done without the incredible acting by the cast, many of whom were cast in two roles - a student at Farndale Academy and a character in "Macbeth".

Perhaps the most notable performance in this case was that of Quinten Neudorf, who started as Quinn, the Stage Manager, but then reluctantly became Lady Macbeth. His performance could make any audience member crack a smile, but was also able to show growth as Quinn's portrayal of Lady Macbeth slowly became more confident.

Abigail Sullivan's seamless improvisation within her level-headed character, Abby, the President of the group, and Vega Armstrong's attitude filled performance of Macbeth must also be commended.

A definite highlight of the show was the seemingly impossible, yet impressive, speeds with which Marika Kovacsics recited Shakespearean soliloquies during her role as the Producer.

The authenticity of the show was heightened by the purposely faulty lighting cues designed by Kris Su and executed by Rozhina Mazhar, and the sound, also done by Kris Su. The "accidental" disco lighting and abrupt sound cues added to the amateur feeling Ridley College hoped to achieve.

Furthermore, the costume choices made by Olivia Chen accurately showed how little the students at Farndale Academy knew about "Macbeth" with kilts and Adidas sneakers, which often doubled as weapons along with pirate swords.

While the execution of some jokes fell flat at times, the cast was not phased and would have the audience laughing again within seconds.

Whether it brings about flashbacks of personal theatre struggles or simply makes you laugh, "The Farndale Macbeth" is an amazing show and the performance put on by Ridley College did the show nothing but justice, with the cast and crew mastering perfect imperfection. It left the audience smiling, but also perhaps in need of a Shakespeare brush-up.

Karis Bateman-Dungey
AN Myer
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Ridley College's "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth" is Disastrously Hilarious

Every scene of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth", produced by Ridley College, was punctuated by missed cues, forgotten lines, and badly-executed props. In other words, it was so bad that it was great.

"The Farndale Macbeth" is a British farce written in the 1970s, and has been adapted for a modern high school performance. It follows a group of students at Farndale Academy as they attempt to put on a disastrous performance of Macbeth with a Cappies critic in attendance. Their hilarious misadventure starts before the play even begins, as cast and crew run through the aisles in search of an actress who never arrives. Then the absurdity continues: the set is turned backwards, lights and props malfunction, and actors constantly fight. It's so bad it's good. Farndale Academy's cast and crew struggle to both keep the play going and impress their visiting critic, all while dealing with these and countless other issues. It's a loud, bold, and immersive comedy.

Ridley College's use of sound and lighting was exceptional and very fitting with the play's plot. The lighting was like a character itself. It interacted with the actors and therefore influenced the story with its malfunctioning. The use of props was impressive as well. Scenes involving prop errors required spot-on timing, which was impeccably delivered. In fact, timing was skillfully executed throughout the whole play. Punchlines were consistently delivered at just the right moment. Quinten Neudorf, who played Quinn the Guild Stage Manager and Lady Macbeth, was particularly adept at using timing to his advantage. This kept the energy up during the entire play to create a hilariously engaging experience.

Vega Armstrong as Vega and Macbeth was a strong performer. She flawlessly conveyed the character of a spoiled theatre kid, and was able to bridge the gap seamlessly between playing Vega, and playing Vega-playing-Macbeth. Kiishi Femi-Johnson's performance as Kiishi/First Witch/Duncan was deft and strong. Playing a squinty actress who has lost her glasses, Kiishi was consistent in her movements and mannerisms, all while being physically funny. Abigail Sullivan, playing Abby/Lady Macduff, improvised many of her lines. Though improvisation is a challenge for many actors, Abigail kept the show's energy high and delivered witty, well-timed quips, all fittingly in-character.

Marika Kovacsics delivered a notable performance as Marika, the Producer. Towards the end of the show, she recited entire soliloquies at warp-speed without missing a beat, inciting rounds of applause from the audience. The Witches, played by Lavinia Lau, Kathy Hu, and Kiishi Femi-Johnson, were playfully funny as they tried to help each other remember their lines. Sakura Telfer as Ms. Sakura Peach (student Cappies critic) was sarcastic and witty. All of the actors had very distinct characters, but they fit together like puzzle pieces. Despite a few lines being mumbled or difficult to understand, they kept the audience engaged and laughing.

The sound and lighting were expertly designed by Kris Su with the lighting executed by Rozhina Mazhar. Often, the curtain would close so that sound was the only way the audience could keep up with the story. In this aspect, Kris Su was highly successful. Whether the audience could see the actors or not, the sound design carried the story on with the same energy as the actors. Props were used creatively, as a vehicle to show the actors' clumsiness and forgetfulness. These props, specifically when they were suspended on wires, were humorous, but also nimbly operated. Technically, "The Farndale Macbeth" was incredible.

Ridley College has woven acting, technicality, and energy into a memorably endearing show, sure to make even the most cynical critic laugh.

Karis Bateman-Dungey
AN Myer
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Ridley College's "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth" is Disastrously Hilarious

Every scene of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth", produced by Ridley College, was punctuated by missed cues, forgotten lines, and badly-executed props. In other words, it was so bad that it was great.

"The Farndale Macbeth" is a British farce written in the 1970s, and has been adapted for a modern high school performance. It follows a group of students at Farndale Academy as they attempt to put on a disastrous performance of Macbeth with a Cappies critic in attendance. Their hilarious misadventure starts before the play even begins, as cast and crew run through the aisles in search of an actress who never arrives. Then the absurdity continues: the set is turned backwards, lights and props malfunction, and actors constantly fight. It's so bad it's good. Farndale Academy's cast and crew struggle to both keep the play going and impress their visiting critic, all while dealing with these and countless other issues. It's a loud, bold, and immersive comedy.

Ridley College's use of sound and lighting was exceptional and very fitting with the play's plot. The lighting was like a character itself. It interacted with the actors and therefore influenced the story with its malfunctioning. The use of props was impressive as well. Scenes involving prop errors required spot-on timing, which was impeccably delivered. In fact, timing was skillfully executed throughout the whole play. Punchlines were consistently delivered at just the right moment. Quinten Neudorf, who played Quinn the Guild Stage Manager and Lady Macbeth, was particularly adept at using timing to his advantage. This kept the energy up during the entire play to create a hilariously engaging experience.

Vega Armstrong as Vega and Macbeth was a strong performer. She flawlessly conveyed the character of a spoiled theatre kid, and was able to bridge the gap seamlessly between playing Vega, and playing Vega-playing-Macbeth. Kiishi Femi-Johnson's performance as Kiishi/First Witch/Duncan was deft and strong. Playing a squinty actress who has lost her glasses, Kiishi was consistent in her movements and mannerisms, all while being physically funny. Abigail Sullivan, playing Abby/Lady Macduff, improvised many of her lines. Though improvisation is a challenge for many actors, Abigail kept the show's energy high and delivered witty, well-timed quips, all fittingly in-character.

Marika Kovacsics delivered a notable performance as Marika, the Producer. Towards the end of the show, she recited entire soliloquies at warp-speed without missing a beat, inciting rounds of applause from the audience. The Witches, played by Lavinia Lau, Kathy Hu, and Kiishi Femi-Johnson, were playfully funny as they tried to help each other remember their lines. Sakura Telfer as Ms. Sakura Peach (student Cappies critic) was sarcastic and witty. All of the actors had very distinct characters, but they fit together like puzzle pieces. Despite a few lines being mumbled or difficult to understand, they kept the audience engaged and laughing.

The sound and lighting were expertly designed by Kris Su with the lighting executed by Rozhina Mazhar. Often, the curtain would close so that sound was the only way the audience could keep up with the story. In this aspect, Kris Su was highly successful. Whether the audience could see the actors or not, the sound design carried the story on with the same energy as the actors. Props were used creatively, as a vehicle to show the actors' clumsiness and forgetfulness. These props, specifically when they were suspended on wires, were humorous, but also nimbly operated. Technically, "The Farndale Macbeth" was incredible.

Ridley College has woven acting, technicality, and energy into a memorably endearing show, sure to make even the most cynical critic laugh.

Ellie Petrak
AN Myer
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Double, double toil and … trouble?

There is more than one level of tragedy in Ridley College's production of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production Of Macbeth."

Ridley College's modern and relatable take on "The Farndale Macbeth" is undoubtedly the worst play in the best way possible. The Farndale Academy attempts to put on a production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Macbeth. When Lady Macbeth doesn't show up, the set faces the wrong way and shoes become substitutes for swords, the play takes a comedic turn for the worse. The cast and crew all work together to create an enjoyable and hilarious piece.

The show begins before the curtain even opens. With cast members running around in a frenzy and screams and shouts radiating from behind the curtain, audience members are engaged from the very start.

Praise goes to Quinten Neudorf who played the awkward Guild Stage Manager that gets dragged into playing Lady Macbeth at the last minute. His total commitment to the physicality of his character throughout the whole play made for a more realistic and hilarious performance.

Vega Armstrong brought life to the stage with her sassy portrayal of Vega who takes on the role of Macbeth. Her constant frustration with the incompetence of her peers sent audience members laughing, and her overly dramatic movements and speech brought personality to her character.

There was never a dull moment on stage when Abby, the Dramatic Guild President, was around. Played by Abigail Sullivan, Abby brought the energy to the stage. Her perfectly timed, witty one-liners such as "This is why the hockey team gets all the funding!" were the highlights of the show.

Although some parts of the plot were difficult to follow without knowledge of "Macbeth", the cast and crew did a magnificent job of ensuring that all elements brought something different to the stage and immersed audience members the whole way through.

Lighting Operator Rozhina Mazhar and Audio Operator Kris Su did an excellent job at coordinating lighting and sound at just the right time to make the scenes even more comedic and this fictional performance even more authentic. Their outstanding work further enhanced the fun of this play and made for some amusing mistakes.

The fun-filled production gave audience members a look at what occurs behind the scenes and all the work that goes into making a play great. With moons falling from the sky, exaggerated death scenes and hammers falling on toes, Ridley College's production of "The Farndale Macbeth" created a chaotic and immersive atmosphere that stirred belly laughs from the crowd. Filled with unique characters and twists and turns around every corner, this performance is one that will be hard to forget.

Ellie Petrak
AN Myer
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Double, double toil and … trouble?

There is more than one level of tragedy in Ridley College's production of "The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production Of Macbeth."

Ridley College's modern and relatable take on "The Farndale Macbeth" is undoubtedly the worst play in the best way possible. The Farndale Academy attempts to put on a production of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Macbeth. When Lady Macbeth doesn't show up, the set faces the wrong way and shoes become substitutes for swords, the play takes a comedic turn for the worse. The cast and crew all work together to create an enjoyable and hilarious piece.

The show begins before the curtain even opens. With cast members running around in a frenzy and screams and shouts radiating from behind the curtain, audience members are engaged from the very start.

Praise goes to Quinten Neudorf who played the awkward Guild Stage Manager that gets dragged into playing Lady Macbeth at the last minute. His total commitment to the physicality of his character throughout the whole play made for a more realistic and hilarious performance.

Vega Armstrong brought life to the stage with her sassy portrayal of Vega who takes on the role of Macbeth. Her constant frustration with the incompetence of her peers sent audience members laughing, and her overly dramatic movements and speech brought personality to her character.

There was never a dull moment on stage when Abby, the Dramatic Guild President, was around. Played by Abigail Sullivan, Abby brought the energy to the stage. Her perfectly timed, witty one-liners such as "This is why the hockey team gets all the funding!" were the highlights of the show.

Although some parts of the plot were difficult to follow without knowledge of "Macbeth", the cast and crew did a magnificent job of ensuring that all elements brought something different to the stage and immersed audience members the whole way through.

Lighting Operator Rozhina Mazhar and Audio Operator Kris Su did an excellent job at coordinating lighting and sound at just the right time to make the scenes even more comedic and this fictional performance even more authentic. Their outstanding work further enhanced the fun of this play and made for some amusing mistakes.

The fun-filled production gave audience members a look at what occurs behind the scenes and all the work that goes into making a play great. With moons falling from the sky, exaggerated death scenes and hammers falling on toes, Ridley College's production of "The Farndale Macbeth" created a chaotic and immersive atmosphere that stirred belly laughs from the crowd. Filled with unique characters and twists and turns around every corner, this performance is one that will be hard to forget.