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(Editor‘s note â€" From time to time a writer for The Liberal visits a restaurant in the southern York Region area. The restaurant management is aware a reporter will be among his customers about that time. but the reporter comes and goes anonymously. then writes a report for the en- tertainment page.) By Norman Matthews Q: What has eight sides and dates back to the year 1656'? A: An octagon. Thornhill has such an object, being the Octagon Steak and Lobster House, combination restaurant and tavern. located on Yonge Street at the corner of Elgin Street. Instead, a sleepy little New Hampshire town called "Grovers Corners" set at the turn of the century, unfolds before your eyes. The production is not without initial tedium for audiences weaned on fast moving TV shows and I had grave doubts that this play could survive the passage of time. But the charming, confident .narration of Barbara Scott, helped us over the difficult early period until we relaxed My companion and I had dined at the Octagon about a year a go, soon after its present owners had taken over the premises of the Copper Kettle which had closed. We heard that some changes had been made to the building and we were anxious to see what it was like. We entered through several large wooden doors, and were greeted by “Ken” the maitre de for the evening who escorted us to our can- dlelit"table. The decor is one of the fines: to be found in Torono with octagon-stained glass windows, wooden chairs with red crushed velvet or corduroy seats, and old fashioned wrought iron lanterns on the walls. What period or style the architect was trying to capture I'm not sure of, but regardless, it is a warm and intimate place to dine. Currently staged by the Curtain Club, it won the first of his two Pulitzer prizes when first produced in 1939. There are neither heroes, villains nor e10quent dialogue. It is not an epic drama like Richard The Third, or Tiger At The Gates. Thornton Wilder‘s Our Town is an unusual play which takes a slice of life from a small town and transforms it into a meaningful theatrical experience â€"â€" but only for those willing to submit to the author's unorthodox approach. We enjoyed a cocktail while reviewing the menu; a screwdriver at $1.75 and a Bacardi cocktail at $2. Marvelous meal My companion chose the Mermaid Plate which combines a filet mignon Octagon proves bit of paragon Although we went there on a Wednesday evening, they were quite busy with hungry patrons. Micracasm comes to life with Curtain Club ’5 play Entertainment DROP IN TO THE By Tom Davey Any pizza in our dining room BARREL and adjusted to the slow, rural pace and values of a small hamlet which truly becomes Our Town. Stunning The stagecraft is both tremendously original and stunningly effective. Consider the funeral scene where a dozen people sit still on a bare set, yet wholly convey the sadness and pathos of a graveyard. There are no head- stones, crypts, or caskets, yet unmistakeably you are in the sombre presence of death.” By comparison, there is an exquisitely crafted piece of theatre dealing with the mixed up emotions of teenagers. We become emotionally involved as Terry Har- ford squirms his way, quite unwittingly, into the finality of a marriage proposal, over a soda, to his girlfriend, beautifully played by Martha Buell. We would have liked a glass or carafe of dinner wine but all that the menu offers is half or full bottles. The wine list shows a good selection of domestic and imported wines but there is no list of cocktails available with prices stated. steak, broiled shrimps and baked Alaska king crab claws. Attractiver displayed on the dinner plate with its variety of colours, there was an abundance of meat to feast on. Tender juicy steak followed by crab dipped in hot butter sauce. A marvelous meal at $11.95. Always looking for the specialty of the house, I chose the Octagon cut of roast prime ribs of beef at $8.95. As advertised, it was thick and juicy, filling my whole dinner plate with its size. Very tender but a lot rarer than what I ordered with my plate looking rather bloody by the time I finished. The props totalled two chairs and a single piece of flat board, yet somehow the scene was charged with authenticity and feeling. During one scene, a character mentions that they are going to bury Both dinners included onion soup, garlic bread, green salad and baked potato. The good news was the richly-flavoured onion soup served in pewter pots topped with thick cheese. Delicious! The bad news was a salad with pieces of lettuce too large to eat politely, necessitating cutting them into smaller pieces. I was surprised that there were no side dishes of “color” vegetables. Service is excellent with complete at- tentiveness to minute detail. Small things like removing the build-up of crabshells from the table before we were finished and the serving of a finger bowl for the lady, were noticed and appreciated. Exquisite Out total bill for two inclding- a 6 per cent tip was $35.95. If you have wine with your meal, the dining out with norm‘ l COUPON PER FAMILY w $139 ONLY $ 00 OFF the Regular Price And, by the combined magic of the playwright‘s pen and the stagecraft of the cast, a microcosm of New Hampshire history has been brought to life to deeply involve those willing to loan their psyches as Wilder's canvas. The Octagon is an exquisite place to dine and centrally located for most of our readers. some newspapers in the foundations of a new building, in order that posterity may know something about the lives and feelings of the people. This, I think, was Wilder’s aim. To capture on stage, a little slice of history, preserved intact for ever. as other artists do on canvas. price tag could easily be in the $45 to $55 range. Parking is adequate, but the corner of Elgin and Yonge Streets is torn up somewhat for con~ struction. All major credit cards are ac- cepted. Reservations a must every night. Flawless work Difficult to single out individual acting per- formances as all the cast turned in flawless work. But the producer, Michael Matyas. and director Cicely Thomson, must be commended for their courage in producing this unusual and difficult play. The Octagon; a story with more than one side to it! Not everyone will like it â€" even those who will admire the acting â€" but others will find it a worthy theatrical ex- perience. Number me and mine among the latter. capable of bringing forth the best from choristers and instrumentalists alike. Well known The soliosts for Hill man writes Yule special A former Bayview Secondary School student has written a special show for the Salvation Army, which will be performed on Hamilton‘s Channel 11 on Christmas Day. He is [an Adnams. 21. who graduated from Bayview in 1972 and later Ryerson. and now works in the special effects department of the Salvation Army as a radio and TV con- sultant. Title of Adnams' show is “Noel,” a muscial presentation. for which he also wrote one of the songs. They are: Susan Rhiel. Jean Mac- Donald. Mary Jo King and Jeannette Ad- nams. He trained the children‘s choir. which is featured. too. and which. incidentally includes four Rich- mond Hill residents. A p p e a r i n g a s hostess of the show will be the well-known Canadian singer. Catherine McKinnon. Salvation Army Commissioner Arnold Brown will bring Christmas messages from the organization from across Canada and Bermuda. Time of the show is 1:30 p.m. BARREL’S HOME SAFEWAY PLAZA RICHMOND HILL PIZZA PARLOUR SPAGHETTI HOUSE Mon. m Mrs. 11 am. to 1 am. Fri. & Sat. 11 am. to 2 am. Sunday 1 pm. to 1 am. For your family dining we suggest a magnif- icent spaghetti dinner or perhaps a perfect pizza made to order or even one of our famous Shopper’s snacks. DINING ROOM HOURS: “Messiah” will be performed by the 100- voice York Philharmonic Choir, accompanied by the York Philharmonic Orchestra. This will be the orchestra‘s first concert appearance since its formation early this fall. Janice Taylor, con- tralto, is well known for her work in recital and uratorios throughout Ontario. This year she performed in Edmonton; at the Shaw Festival, the National Arts Centre and in the‘Place des Arts, Montreal. The music director of both the choir and or- chestra is Edward F. Luka. Mr. Luka has established a reputation for perfection and is capable of bringing forth the best from choristers and instrumentalists Audiences will‘ be assured of a great musical performance. “Messiah” are all very talented and well-known musicians. The soprano 5010 will be sung by the choir’s own Brenda Luka. Markham Centennial Centre â€"â€" “The New Ice Generation,“ Canada‘s only professional ice show, Nov. 28 and 29. 89 Seneca Theatre Centre, 1750 Finch Ave. E. - George Shearing Quintet. Nov. 27 at 8:30 pm. Scotland on Parade, Nov. 29 at 8:30 pm. Call 491- 8877 for tickets. Tickets available There are a number choral and solo pieces this that are familiar a popular with a gm= many people, a Christmas is the til when Handel’s gloric music is so eagerly a enthusiastically W611 med. She also sang with the York Philharmonic Choir in May when “Elijah” was performed at Seneca College, and in Richmond “Messiah known or will be p Dec. 7‘ She is studying at the Royal Conservatory and is soloist at the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. The tenor part will be sung by Erwin Powrie who has for the past several years served as Earl Haig Theatre. Willowdale â€" Yorkâ€" minstrels present “Most Happy Fella," Nov. 26 to 29 at 8:15 p.m. Call 366- 9051 for tickets. She has delighted audiences in the past in “Messiah”, “Creation” and “Elijah” with the choir. Hill Curtain Club, Newkirk Rd. â€" Thornton Wilder’s great stage classic, “Our Town,” with a large and talented cast; Nov. 26 to 29; Dec. 3 to 6, 8:30 pm. Call 884-2638. between 10 am. and 10 pm. for tickets. Anthony‘s Dinner Theatre. Toronto â€" The Clowns, an original musical, wittin and often Messiah first production York Philharmonic Choir Calendar oratorio, ‘ performed are for H Handel‘s the well- ‘io, which rmed here mber of pieces in liar and l great , and 1e time glorious ly and welco- now Y o r k S y m p h o n y Orchestra. St. Andrew’s (‘ollege â€" NOV. 29 at 8 p.m. with featured soloist, Zenia Kushpeta, at the piano. Call 727-8003 after 1 p.m., and 884-3336 for tickets. Hart House Theatre. University of Toronto â€" Caligula by Albert Camus, to Nov. 29 Call 928-8668 for tickets. soloist at a number of musically-prominent Toronto churches. Last year he sang in a presentation of Hayan’s “Creation” at Chataqua, New York, and in May of this year he sang the tenor role in “Elijah” with the York Philhar- monic Choir. Poor Alex Theatre; Toronto â€" Pepi Puppet Theatre presents The Frog Prince, every Sat. and Sun. Call 422-2605 or 9208370 for tickets. Alvin Reimer. bass, comes from London, Ontario. to sing “Messiah”. He studied in Detmold, Germany, and has received several scholorships to fui‘ther his vocal training. He has sung major operatic roles, has per- formed at the Stratford Festival, and has sung “Elijah” by Men- delssohn, “Creation” by Hayan, as well as the bass role in “Messiah” previously. brilliantly performed, with Dean Regan, Brian McKay and Jeri Craden; nightly. Call 924-0977 or 924-1886 for tickets. The final performance will take place in St. Gabriel's Church, Sheppard Avenue East, in Willowdale on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 8 pm. EDWARD LUKA Messiah x 3 Three performances of the “Messiah” , are planned. Tickets for all concerts are $3. “Messiah” will be performed in Newmarket at the new Grace Church on Carlson Drive, on Friday. Dec. 12. at 8:30 Senior citizens and student ticket prices are $24 The first performance is at Our Lady'Queen of the World church on Bayview Avenue, Richâ€" mond Hill, on Sunday Dec. 7, at 8 pm. Tickets are available‘ from Violet Wulckow,‘ Richmond Hill, 884-4532; Gillian Rourke, Newmarket, 895-4597; Jean Russell, Willowdale, 493-8516. :I‘here are so many mediocre Dining Rooms that it IS a treat to visit the Parkway Hotel Old English Roast Beef Dining Room. With a delightful selection of skillfully prepared menu choices, Head Chef Basil Fernandes sees many repeating guests. Special seating is readily arranged for large groups on reservation and a reasonably priced full banquet menu is available for parties and gatherings. Five star rating is justified for this elegant dining room and the most comforting thing is its reasonable prices. New Years Eve with all the trimmings has been a sellout each year and this year‘s tickets are already available. The Kings Club Lounge and Discotheque has become a meeting spot for executives. business girls and community groups. There still is no cover charge and the atmosphere is relaxing. Whether just dining out. entertaining a group or administering a business meeting. genial Manager. John McInnes will do his utmost to fill your needs. PARKWAY HOTEL THE PARKWAY HOTEL Reservations - 881-2121 Highway No. 7 & Leslie Street 1 mile East of Bayview Dining Out With Anna Marie - Factory Folk Night rolls on Zenia Kushpeta of Toronto, will be featured soloist with York Sym- phony Orchestra at St. Andrew's College, Nov. 29. A former student of conductor Clifford Poole, Miss Kushpeta will play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No A story in last week’s Liberal erroneously listed the date as Nov. 19. The Liberal regrets the error. York Symphony on Nov. 2.9 lt was only the second such performance of the season, but Aurora’s Factory Theatre Folk Night packed ‘em in again Friday night at the theatre-come-coffeeâ€"house. Taking part were (left to right): Mike Thompson, Bruce Mercer, Tommy Jensen and John Lott. all of Aurora. This was the second appearance for both Thompson and Lott. The evening con- cluded with a sing-a-long. and during in- walk". E RICHMOND HILL LEGION BING0 I HOSPITALITY J' \ V ‘K. tag; COMES NATURALLY! At the comfortable and ftiendly Legion Hall on Ohio no, mm off Elgin Mills Road East (Richmond Hill). Every Wednesday Night - 8 p.m. 09m Sunday Just one of 7 delicious ways from $1.89 to $3.79 of eating betterfor lessâ€" anytimeâ€" everytlme "YUUB BINGO CENTRE F0]? All 85450” ” Early Birds - 7:35 p.m. - Regular and Special starts 8 p.m. EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT JACKPOT $600.00 - 53 No's. JACKPOT CONSOLATION $75.00 THORNHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE Welcome to . . . JACKPOT $1,000.00 Specials from $75.00 to $1 50.00 I No PLAYERS UNDER 16 YEARS ADMITrED HILLCREST MALL RICHMOND HILL WITHIN 54 NUMBERS WED., NOV. 26th ADMISSION s1.00 THORNHILL LIONS John St. and Bayview Ave. Thornhill "NO ONE UNDER 16 YEARS ADMITTED" 7:40 pm. Earlyh‘irds. 8:00 pm. Regular Games THE LIBERAL. Wednesday. Nov. 26. 1975 -â€" C-l'l \ , termission patrons were able to view pain- tings by area residents in the foyer. Owing to a change in dates for the theatre’s production of Dicken's Christmas Carol. the folk artists have had to move their Dec. 12 date up to November. so they'll be back in full force next Friday, Nov. 28. Factory Theatre is on Henderson Drive. just off Yonge Street at the south end of Aurora. Mrgtar Chilled tomato juice. . Char broiled boneless New York sirloin steak. baked potato, Steak N‘Burger salad, French dressing. toasted roll. strawberry Shortcake. tea. coffee. milk or soft drink tavern restaurants (Photo by Hogg)