The Wonderful World of Sarah Binks (Reviews)

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"A very funny evening"The Wonderfull Worldof Sarah BinnksThe Sweet Songstress of SaskatchewanEric Donkinstarring asMiss Rosalind DroolDirected by John BanksMANAGEMENT: JOHN BANKS MANAGEMENT BOX 474, STRATFORD, ONT. N5A 6T7An Albert St. Production. Contact John Banks Management, Box 474. Stratford, Ontario N5A6T7
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The Wonderfull World of Sarah BinksSweet Songstress of SaskatchewanThe Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks which presents Eric Donkin as "Miss Rosalind Drool" is Hilarious! Adapted from Paul Hiebert's Sarah Binks, which received the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, the attraction offers the very funny story of the life and works of The Sweet Songstress of Saskatchewan. While Sarah Binks is wholly mythical, she remains irresistible to audiences of all ages.Critics of The Wonderful) World of Sarah Binks have had much to say:-The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks was just that. . . Wonderful!""Eric Donkin is magnificent in his characterization of Rosalind Drool.""Miss Rosalind Drool has done for Sarah Binks what Anna Russell has done for the Art Song and Peter Schickele for P.D.Q. Bach! Staggering!""Not to be missed by anyone who enjoys an evening of Fun and Good Theatre.""As zany as Ogden Nash . ..""A marvellous parody, a wonderful parody ... a Very Funny Evening."Eric DonkinEric Donkin is one of Canada's nest Known comedic performers and character actors. He has performed in cabaret, television, film and the theatre. For thirteen seasons he has been a member of the Stratford Festival Company and consequently has worked with many leading directors.Mr. Donkin's varied Shakespearean experience includes Hamlet, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Troilus ana Cressida and is well complemented by his experience with other writers including Shaw, Ibsen, Chekov and contemporary playwrights. The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks is one of several one-man shows which Mr Donkin has written, adapted and performed.Miss Sarah BinksW.P.M.. LL.D. (1906-1929) The Sweet Songstress of Saskatchewan Sarah Binks was a child of the soil and the product of her environment. However she wrote about her daily experiences in terms of unfettered universality. It is this philosophy, so clearly evidenced in all her work which makes her poetry as vital and relevant today as when she wrote it. She was a "Woman lor all Seasons" and brings to ail her interests a unique blend of experience and imagination. She was also ahead of her time, in spite of the exigencies of frontier agricultural life. Sarah became seized, as we are today, with the schisms and mosaics of Canadian society. The short but incredibly productive career of Sarah Binks has firmly placed her In her own literary niche and so she has become safely embalmed in literary history.Miss Rosalind DroolRosalind Drool is a dramatic elocutionist and journalist who has devoted her life to the study of Sarah Binks. Under the aegis and with the cooperation of Eric Donkin. Miss Drool here presents her own interpretations ol Sarah Binks � the person and the poet. Miss Drool's infatuation with the personal life and poetical works of Sarah Binks has been a dominating theme for most of her sixty-five years.The opening of The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the tragic and untimely death of Sarah Sinks at the age of twenty-three.An Albert St. Production. Contact John Banks Management. Box 474. Stratford. Ontario N5A 6T7
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JOHN BANKS MANAGEMENTBOX 474STRATFORD. ONTARION5A 6T7CANADAERIC DONKIN BIOGRAPHICAL NOTESERIC DONKIN is one of Canada's best known comedic performers and character actors. In The Wonderfull World of Sarah Sinks he stars as the literary journalist 'Miss. Rosalind Drool', who has devoted her life to the study and appreciation of Sarah Sinks. This characterization, created by Mr. Donkin, has been acclaimed by Canadian critics from coast-to-coast during the production's first National Tour in 1979 - 1980.For thirteen seasons, between 1966 and 1979, he has been a member of The Stratford Festival Company. During his extensive acting career ERIC DONKIN has appeared in many regional theatres in Canada and the United States. He has also worked in radio, cabaret, films and television.ERIC DONKIN: SOME CRITICAL NOTICES HAMLETStratford Shakespearean Festival) 1976As for the remarkable ERIC DONKIN, who transformed Polonius into a role of almost epic proportions, he has a technique and style that transforms critics into sycophants. What a Polonius! ...This is a very fine actor doing some spectacularly good work.John Fraser, Toronto Globe and y.ailERIC DONKIN, however, is marvellous as the befuddled old meddler, Polonius. At this stage in his career, there is little to be said about this great, great Canadian thespian. The superlatives have been exhausted. Donkin's Polonius is a consumate portrait of that most dangerous of creatures, a fool in ignorance of his own foolishness.John Harkness. The Charlatan. OttawaKING LEAR Neptune Theatre, Halifax) 1977ERIC DONKIN's Lear is masterful. ... His is a many faceted character, capable of real anger and joy. In his descent into madness, Donkin moved many to tears: the mad Lear is not just raving, but pitifully lost and journeying. His eyes go vacant and he seems to speak from some uncommon wisdom.Amy Zierler, Halifax life
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ERIC DONKIN: SOME CRITICAL NOTICES PAGE 2KING LEAR (continued)DONKIN's Lear - so ultimately touching in its simplicity and in its frailty of its humanity - is consistent ... . It's the muted implicity and the consumate intelligence of Donkin's Lear which compel. ... And such is Donkin's quiet authority over his assignment, his tormented unseen presence continues to dominate that tricky latter half of the play which allows Lear on stage for only three scenes.Jamie Portman, Southam News ServicesTHE GUARDSMAN Stratford Shakespearean Festivali 1978(Maggie) Smith and (Brian) Bedford leave no doubt about their own powers of persuasion. ... ERIC DONKIN shares this celebration of artistry in the role of the Critic ... . Well for all critics if they could share Donkin's sympathy, insight and graceful generosity.Doug Bale, London Free PressTHE IMPORTANCE CF BEING EARNEST Stratford Shakespearean Festivali 1979... and since ERIC DONKIN has taken over Canon Casuble's celibate role, you can be sure that Wilde's particular attention to the Church of England has been admirably maintained. Donkin is one of the best actors Stratford has and he should be elevated to a bishopric.John Fraser, Toronto Globe and MailERIC DONKIN AS 'MISS. ROSALIND DROOL' SOME CRITICAL NOTICESERIC DONKIN has long been one of Canada's most distinguished actors. ... But lately Donkin has been achieving what is perhaps his greatest personal success with his hilarious one-man (or is it one-woman) show, The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks. ... The performance is a brilliant tour de force, but its also a wonderful act of homage to one of the great comic works of our literature. ... The delight quotient never falters.Jamie Portman, Southam News ServicesDONKIN's characterization is so artistically and gracefully done that it is never necessary to forget there is an actor behind the character. You are never aware he is there to begin with. ... Donkin makes it look so easy.Don Perkins, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix... hilarious laughter ... incredulous smiles ...a one-and-a-half hour extravaganza ...spontaneous and thunderous applause ... . ERIC DONKINdisplayed amazing stage presence ... . Mr. Donkin gave anintense and inspired performance.Halifax Chronicle Herald
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ERIC DONKIN: SOME CRITICAL NOTICES (continued) PAGE 3'The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks', was just that ... Wonderful! ... I had the pleasure to see one of Canada's great actors, ERIC DONKIN, who kept me and the rest of the audience in gales of laughter for two hours. Two hours of pure fantasy and farce. To think even of the name Rosalind Drool, now makes me smile. ... Even though you're sixty-five years old, Rosalind, I would follow you to the ends of the earth - smiling all the way.CFMO Radio, OttawaDONKIN has the pretentious literary critic (Miss. Rosalind Drool)down pat ....... Throughout the ninety-minute performance,Donkin is controlled and consistent. ... Drool is a droll critic, but also a pleasant one. ... Sarah Binks has undoubtedly caught the imagination of many - thanks to the imagination of Donkin and his devoted Drool.Catherine Shapcott, Calgary Albertan'The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks' sounds like a lot of laughs for anyone interested in literary satire, the romantic tradition ... and the academic school of criticism -the droll Miss Drool, alias DONKIN, makes minced meat of them all.Nelly Young, Sherbrooke RecordDONKIN arrived ... to impersonate Miss Rosalind Drool,the living antiquity who is the eminent authority on Binks'work. In his one-man show, The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks.Donkin is a hilarious perambulatory character with a facethat has all the grace of a squashed bicycle saddle.The energy he puts into the performance is hypnotic.Alan Hustak, Edmonton SunThen there's Miss Drool, devoted fan, chronicler and apologist for the legendary Miss Binks. ... DONKIN has dressed her up, fleshed her out and made her a creation more than worthy of her name. Donkin's performance is a masterpiece of comic playing.Bob Allen, Vancouver ProvinceDONKIN's Drool is a comic masterpiece ... .Wayne Edmonstone, Vancouver Sur.ERIC DONKIN is magnificent in his characterization of Rosalind Drool. ... His poetry readings are a marvel. ... It's not easy keeping an audience entertained all by yourself for two hours. Donkin does it seemingly without effort.Robert Karris, C.B.C. Radio, OttawaMiss Drool's lecture-performance was anything but dry. ... Her performance ... was one of which her mentor, ERIC DONKIN, can be justly proud.Audrey M. Ashley, The Ottawa CitizenDONKIN brings his great power of timing to this farcical pursuit. He can hold an audience through silence ... until he chooses to speak to them.Woodstock (N.B.) Bugle
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JOHN BANKS MANAGEMENTBOX 474 STRATFORD ONTARIO N5A 6T7CANADAPRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS FORTHE WONDERFULL WORLD OF SARAH BINKS SECOND NORTH AMERICAN TOUR: 1980-1981The Wonderfull World of Sarah Binks is a one-person production with limited technical requirements. Production requirements are equally limited. However, it is important that Sponsors fulfil these requirements as completely as possible.Production requirements include the following:1. Set Materials and the Performing Area2. Lighting Equipment 3. Sound Equipment 4. Technical/Support staff1. Set Materials and the Performing AreaSponsors are asked to provide the following set materials.1 black wooden stool 1 pseudo-Persian (multi-(approx 30" high) coloured) carpet1 wooden straight chair (9'xl2* or larger)1 arm chair 1 upright piano2 tables (each approx. 40"x40") (which is not played) (The Producer provides covers 1 glass water Jugfor these tables) 1 glass tumbler1 wooden coat treeThe Performing Area should be a minimum of 20' wide by 12' deep. The background for the performing area should be curtains of a solid colour. An exit to backstage should be provided in these curtains at centre stage right.2. Lighting EquipmentSponsors are required to provide lighting equipment and a technician to operate it. Although a lighting plot is provided to Sponsors, it is understood that not all Sponsors will be able to implement it fully. Since the production is presented in the form of a public lecture, the essence of the lighting plot is to provide BRIGHT and EVEN light over the performing area.Ssur.d ZcuirmentSponsors are asked to provide a reel to reel tape deck (capable of playing either at 71/2 ips or at 15 ips) together with an amplification and speaker system. The Producer provides an audio tape either at 71/2 ips or at 15 ips.Sponsors are also asked to provide a sound technician.
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PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WONDERFULL WORLD OF SARAH BINKS 4. Technical Staff Page 2As well as a lighting technician and a sound technician (see above) Sponsors are required to provide the following wardrobe staff:a) For all engagements - a presser to press the costumeprior to each performanceb) For all engagements of two or more performances -i) a person to launder the costume prior to the second and following performancesii) a person to set and dress one theatrical wig prior to the second and following performances5. Other Notesa) PublicityThe Producer provides posters, handbills, press notes, programme notes, glossy photographs and other publicity materials for the use of the Sponsor. The quantities of material provided will be determined by the length of the engagement.Where schedules permit, Mr. Donkin is quite willing to give media interviews which the Sponsor may arrange, in consultation with the Producer.b) Cue SheetThe Producer provides a cue sheet for technical staff at the time of the Technical Rehearsal.c) Technical RehearsalThe Technical Rehearsal - a cue-to-cue rehearsal -is generally scheduled for 10:30 am on the day of the performance. It is expected that lights will be hung and focussed, set materials assembled, sound equipment operative and all technical/support staff available at the commencement of the Technical Rehearsal.