THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9606020306
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 47 lines
``The Emperor's New Clothes'' is an equal opportunity delight.
The Hans Christian Andersen story is usually aimed at bringing joy to the kiddies, but the Gallery Theatre version is also a laugh-getter for adults.
So, bring the youngsters - they won't get restless since the play runs for only an hour - and prepare to enjoy it yourself.
Most of the cast members are little ones, but don't let that turn you off. This is not a group of children sounding like they are reciting their lines.
Barbara Best Toti, the director, has them sounding and acting quite professional as they whip the wild dialogue into handsome shape.
They are telling the story of a kingdom gone to pot because the emperor spends all his money and time on fancy garments.
Ernie Carter, who divides his Gallery time between directing and acting, is the fashion plate leader of his mystical country.
He is sort-of mystical, himself - garbed in a what's-it? outfit complete with silk stockings, and carrying his scepter, which looks suspiciously like a bathroom plunger.
Ernie earns the applause. His ``oh-you-cwazy'' performance is just dandy.
His chief lieutenant is also on the prissy side - don't read anything into that - another excellent portrayal by Gates County High School student Willie Bell.
Quietly, thanks to the way he talks and his wonderful facial expressions, he manages to steal most of the scenes in which he appears.
The biggest scene stealer is one of the smallest stars. Alex Rose is a natural as Princess PollyEster. The rascally 7-year-old, unabashedly comfortable on stage, engages in a fair amount of shtick - doing little attention-drawing things.
And, talk about voice projection. No mumbling here. She roars those lines and there is not a word you cannot understand.
Another youngster who commands attention is Rhonda Jones who portrays Patches, the empire's gofer. She is another performer who knows the importance of facial expressions.
There are no bad performances in this production, sort-of a Monty Python version of Hans Christian Andersen. The play includes some dialogue with, and to, the audience, plus a good running gag.
Whenever someone says the word ``dungeon,'' Shroud appears. Dressed like Johnny Cash, with the addition of a black hood, he begs for customers. The standard answer from all on stage at the moment is ``not now, Shroud.''
Now - today - take the children to see the final performance of ``The Emperor's New Clothes.'' They will enjoy it - and they won't be the only ones. by CNB