CITIZEN MARC PLAY NOT 'RIGHT ALL THE TIME'

You Like Him Or Loathe Him, But Ignoring Marc Emery Is Never An Option.

"Hey, at least I'm entertaining," quips the focal figure of Citizen
Marc, the play featured at the Arts Project tonight.

Scripted by Jason Rip and Chris Doty, the drama is based on Messing
Up the System, Doty's 1992 documentary profiling the outrageous
social activist, formerly from London

The play follows Emery's very public adventures from 1975, when the
17-year-old high school dropout bought the City Lights Book Shop, to
his current legal battle with the U.S. government, which is trying to
extradite him to face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

As proprietor of the Richmond Street second-hand bookstore, Emery
quickly became this city's rebel without a pause and an outspoken
advocate for Sunday shopping, free speech, pornography and other
causes that brought him into conflict with the local establishment.

"The reason I'm a publicity seeker is because I actually have
something to say above the chorus of nabobs that are running this
city," declares Emery, played by Jeff Werkmeister. "Not only am I the
only one you can believe, I'm the only one you can understand."

This production's key element is Werkmeister's excellent work in the
title role. He captures the ego-driven, self-absorbed personality of
the manic media hound who's convinced he's "an authentic individual
in a country of cowards."

Directed by John Gerry, Citizen Marc offers an objective portrait of
Emery and succeeds in contrasting his colourful, fiery personality
with the beige and bland London of the 1970s.

It also recalls the national notoriety Emery achieved for championing
the legalization of marijuana, a.k.a. "demon weed," Mary Jane, pot,
grass, and "psycho parsley."

However, the play fails to venture beyond the headlines or to explore
the psyche and motivations of its pivotal figure. It takes no
position on whether Emery was the admirable Prince of Pot or merely a
misguided crackpot hopelessly in love with his courageous crusader image.

Recounting a 30-year history within an 80-minute play also proves to
be a taxing assignment for this production.

That said, the show is able to draw on the very able talents of
Werkmeister and his supporting cast. Most notable among them is Ray
Bowen as Mr. Silvers, the drama's unofficial narrator; Meaghan
Chenosky as Emery's ever-loyal assistant, Tina; and Serge
Saika-Voivod as the ubiquitous Fat Man.

As for the 47-year-old Emery, he's slated to journey from his
Vancouver home to attend tonight's performance of Citizen Marc.

No doubt he'll be pleased that the play allows him the last word and
it's a vintage Emeryism: "Oh God, I am so sick of being right all the time!"

IF YOU GO

What: Citizen Marc: The Adventures of Marc Emery, by Jason Rip and
Chris Doty; a Doty Docs production directed by John Gerry; featuring
Jeff Werkmeister, Ray Bowen, Meaghan Chenosky, Serge Saika-Voivod,
Virginia Pratten, Ben McCabe

When: Today till Sunday and Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, 8 p.m.

Where: The Arts Project, 203 Dundas St.

Tickets: $25; $40 for today's opening night performance and
reception; available at the door or by calling the Grand Theatre box
office at 672-8800

Rating: * * * 1/2 (out of five)