we at

If humor that is raw to the point of being gross is your meat, you might find satisfac- tory fare in the Vancouver East Cultural Centre’s current offer- ing, the CODCO Show.

The production is the Waning of the Moon Cafe or The Ed Sullivan Show, a series of skits by the Newfoundland-based the- atre company, and it runs Mon- day through Saturday until Dec. 1.

priest flesh’’ delivering a sermon on the evils of drink and sexual immorality with pious relish; two zealous matrons who attend funerals the way most people at- tend movies and who ‘‘comfort’’

his brother already decomposing in his coffin in the living room; a salty conversation between two

TOM SEXTON . Codco’s warm-up wil.

‘‘outporters’’ (those Newfound- landers who are definitely not from St. John’s) on drownings, severed limbs and general muti- lation; a song and dance number on the ‘‘retardos at Ricardo’s’’ — these are some of the more, shall we say, striking offerings from this talented five-member group.

Newfoundland is witnessing a kind of cultural renaissance these days and several theatre and musical groups have emerg- ed from what could be termed St. John’s young intelligentsia. Audiences across Canada have

ally to the creative efforts of the folk rock groups, Figgy Duff, Codco (which now has five shows to its credit) and the more

\ Politically motivated Mummers.

“A big handsome hunk of

a distant relative for the loss of

usually responded enthusiastic-'

Raw and earthy humor from Codco of Nfid.

The component parts of this cultural movement naturally have similarities to each other, sharing as they do the rich folk heritage of Newfoundland.

What makes Codco and the Mummers compelling is their mutual reliance on the mores of the island, exemplified by the pe- culiar, old-world type accent and the humor and attitude that can be summed up in one word: ir- reverence. Yet here the contrasts are also apparent: The Mum- mers used this feature to bring out the warm, human side of their characters, creating almost romantic figures in their last play, They Club Seals Don’t They?

Codco, on the other hand pre- sent Newfoundland’s cultural at- tributes in a decidedly anti-ro- mantic way, pointing out the negative aspects of a region his- torically isolated from the rest of the world and exploited by it.

Drunkenness, degration. and bigotry abound in the skits. The difference between Codco’s ap- proach to these stark realities and that, say, of Newfoundland novelist Percy Janes (House of Hate), is that Codco finds them funny. The term ‘‘black humor’’ is not out of place.

Codco is as cosmopolitan as it is regional and many of the skits go beyond the boundaries of Newfoundland where much of the lighter humor is found. In one sketch, a Desi Arnaz type. ‘*Ricardo,’’ replete with the fix- ed, phony smile, attempts to sell the audience on the faded attrac- tions of his cabaret. In another,

“the audience participates in a

scene after they are told that the theatre has been converted into a space ship that is leaving for an- other planet — and they must supply the sound effects with conveniently provided ‘‘inflat- able dirigibles.’” The opening skit in which the underwear-clad company slowly becomes aware of the presence of the audience, is worth the price of admission. It’s basically an apolitical romp on the darker side of hu- manity and the cast — Andy Jones, Mary Walsh, Tommy Sexton, Cathy Jones and pianist Bryan Hennessy — pull it off

with sidesplitting effect. —Dan Keeton

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2679 E. Hastings St., Vancouver, B.C. 253-1221

PACIFIC TRIBUNE— NOVEMBER 23, 1979—Page 10

Swan Records on W. 4th Ave.

Actors’ union forces film company to hire Canadians

If the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists (AC- TRA) and the Directors’ Guild of Canada (DGC) had their way, the $2.2 million feature film ‘CeBe’ nearing completion in Vancouver would be rewound and shot again — this time, the producers, March Films B.C. Ltd. compelled to hire professional Canadian talent under union agreement.

That, however, is more whimsical than ‘‘practical’’ according to Jurgen Hesse, ACTRA’s writers’ liason member and one of the six union members who hammered out a long-awaited contract with March Films and their lawyers last weekend.

“‘We couldn’t retroactively de- mand that March Films sign a union agreement with us when they have already shot the bulk of the film,’’ Hesse told the Tribune Mon- day.

The dispute between March

Films, ACTRA and the DGS erupted last Tuesday when the ‘Canadian’ film not only boasted an all U.S. star cast, but Canadian director Leonard Yakir was replac- ed by U.S. actor-director, Dennis Hopper. _ ACTRA president Jack Gray, DGC president Robert Barclay and union members promptly placed an informational picket line around CeBe’s Kitsilano location and charged March Films with “*hucksterism.”’

Films which are bona fide Cana- dian films entitle investors to a lucrative 100 per cent capital cost

Convention Banquet and Dance featuring

A Special Tribute to William Kashtan

General Secretary, Communist Party of Canada

Saturday, Nov..24 at The Ukrainian Hall, 805 East Pender

6:30 p.m. — $6.

Renowned British folksingers Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger will make their first Vancouver conc appearance in 20 years when they perform on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse, Nov. 25, 8 p.m! The two artists together have produced several ‘radio ballads” based on the lives of working people! Britain, and have won acclaim for their songs which have been performed all over Europe and No America. Tickets for the concert are available at $6.50 from the Vancouver Ticket Centre and Bl

allowance. Although Hesse said that ACTRA wasn’t ‘‘disputing the federal government regulations which determine whether a film is Canadian or not,”’ that larger ques- tion is still simmering behind the scenes.

The government uses a’ point system, awarding points to produc- tions on the basis of the Canadian talent employed in key areas such as lead roles, screenwriting, directing, photography and soon. A minimum of six points out of ten are required to qualify the film as ‘Canadian.’

The contractual agreement reacher on Sunday between March Films and ACTRA and the DGC binds March Films to paying in- surance and retirement plan fees for

with us,’’ he added.

their employees as well as paylly), for the necessary ACTRA wl), permits for talent brought intl Canada. ; ti More importantly, March Fi will now, and in the future, professional union talent. ACT. and DGC conceded that CeBe iS? certified Canadian film although! features more U.S. than Canaalé talent. 4 “‘We are the predominant acto? union in Canada (6,000 membe!) Hesse said, ‘‘and we are not ha with non-union films produc directed and made in Canada.” “We prefer that all film ©0 panies, whether foreign or C@ dian, sign generat film contl

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UES Aasoriation fakes gueal pleasure mn fnmting you to attend this social enent. Su Keser nations, please phone 4H-I866, 23h- 7678 on O88 1247 ty November 25. Tike

‘Beat the rpnapoly. rip- -off! ; : ae your shopping at

Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-7 p.m. Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pende!

Int'l food mart @ handicrafts home baking @_ plants @ white elephant

Santa

All welcome! ©

axe $72 and ave anatlatle at the Coop Bookitone, a AS W. DP don. Vancoumt

@ books @ kids’ games .

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