Some Slick!

The Chronicle-Herald The Mail-Star Saturday, October 13, 1979
Mummers fantasize over offshore oil
By Holly Clark

Who? you ask. Well, according to the Mummers Theatre Troupe, which performed at Neptune Theatre last night, those multi-national oil companies are definitely slick. But from the audience's point of view, the theatre group itself was the slick one.

In a musical fantasy of offshore oil, relating the saga of a Newfoundland community besieged by an oil discovery off its coast, the troupe of four men sang and joked their way through the highs and lows of "industrialization."

In a musical revue composed of hard, "get-down" rock, mellow ballads, country tunes, jazz and blues and Newfoundland sea shanties, the talented group gave a moving and thought-provoking performance.

Mac Furlong, who played drums and guitar, portrayed the devious, fast-talking "Frank D. Saster," ushering in the multi-national oil companies -- Gulp, Shrill and Laxxon.

Denis Parker, playing a mean harmonica as well as guitar, lent his vocal talents to the evening's endeavors in several hard-hitting numbers.

Paul Steffler, the notorious Mr. Slick, showed himself to be a skilled keyboard player, accomplished comedian and all-round good performer.

Amid the top talents exhibited by these three actors, Brian Downey's polished stage presence, sharp wit, comedic timing and musical ability shone through in a dynamic performance.

The highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, a hilarious take-off on Prime Minister Joe Clark and Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford trying to lure the oil entrepreneur Mr. Slick to invest in offshore oil.

The two began by fighting over who owned the table at which Slick was sitting. They finished with a bang, literally blowing up their entire oil drilling and offshore development concoction, and with it, the community.

Through all the humour and the music, one message rang loud and clear -- those oil companies are "some slick."

What will happen when the oil companies pull out of these communities after their lifestyles have been completely altered? That was the question people were asking themselves as they left Neptune Theate last night, thanks to the masterful performance by the Mummers Troupe.