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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-07-02, Page 21PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015. Museum seeks exhibit photos Fox, Thompson impress in Festival opener ‘Seeds’ With Seeds, the opening show of the Blyth Festival’s 41st season, the evolution of farming is staged in a way that one also can see the evolution of the Festival before their very eyes. In interviews ahead of the production of Seeds, Artistic Director Gil Garratt said the play makes an important statement about farming. Garratt would often use two farmers on opposite ends of the technological universe – saying that farming is no longer one man wearing coveralls and sitting on his porch reminiscing about the good old days, but rather a world dominated by technology in the form of world-wide pricing, tractors with GPS and various other cutting edge inventions that have propelled farming forward. It is in that same vein that Seeds has propelled the Blyth Festival forward into a world of technology, much of it new to the Memorial Hall stage. When the audience is first seated for Seeds, Steve Lucas’ set appears very simple – basically a large blank wall behind the actors. Much of the story is told through an extensive projection show by Beth Kates of Playground Studios Inc., the show’s lighting and projections designer. On those walls, settings are established, characters are introduced and crucial themes to the story of Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser and biotechnology giant Monsanto are emphasized. This technology, however, isn’t employed simply to show off, or to create a “techy” show simply to be techy, but it serves an integral purpose in a long, confusing narrative with many, many characters. That’s not to sound negative – it’s just the nature of the story that playwright Annabel Soutar tells. It spans years and includes dozens, if not, hundreds of interviews. There are many, often conflicting, viewpoints presented by many interchangeable characters, who are portrayed by actors of a different sex, a different age or a different race, quite often. The story of Seeds just isn’t an easy one to tell and it’s easy to get lost in the mix of characters along the periphery. Names and titles of these characters, projected onto the set, help the audience to keep everyone straight through a parade of characters that can get confusing at times. Of course, there are large, philosophical questions in Seeds pertaining to GMOs (genetically- modified organisms) that include a lot of scientific background. At its core, however, is a simple question of “did he?” or “didn’t he?” Did Schmeiser knowingly plant Monsanto canola seeds in his field without signing an agreement with the company? This question is the straight line throughout the narrative that branches off into questions about legality, credibility, the ability to patent a life form and the food being fed to the world and how much consumers should be told about it. The Festival production is anchored by two of Canadian theatre’s heaviest hitters: David Fox as Schmeiser and Severn Thompson as the playwright investigating the case. The cast is rounded out by Keith Barker, Rachel Cairns, Jason Chesworth, Jeff Irving and Tracy Ferencz, all of whom play a multitude of characters. The small cast, but large roster of characters keeps the audience on its toes. Ferencz, for example, will be in one scene as Schmeiser’s wife Louise, in another argue the virtues of Monsanto as Trish Jordan and then herald Schmeiser’s heroism in another as Sister Catherine. All cast members are good in the numerous roles with which they’re charged, creating new personas and images, sometimes, every few minutes. Director Kim Collier, artistic The Huron County Museum needs your help! To celebrate Huron County’s 150th anniversary in 2016, the museum will be presenting an exhibit called “Home in Huron”. The exhibit will feature past and present photos of the county, including landscapes, architecture, and activities. Photos from the archival collection will be featured. The museum needs help gathering photos of present day Huron County from residents. Community members are encouraged to submit recent, high resolution photos with minimal editing that were taken in the county. Everything from sunsets to street views, from sheep to ships, and all four seasons are welcomed to be submitted. Historic photographs of homes, main streets, farms, and activities will be posted to the Museum’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/ photos/huroncountymuseum to use as inspiration. Photo submission guidelines are minimal editing, the photo must be taken in Huron County, the photo must be the work of the submitter and only high resolution photographs will be accepted. Submitted photos must be received by March 1, 2016 to be considered for inclusion in the exhibit. The exhibit is scheduled to open April 30, 2016. Entertainment StopsStopsStopsStopsStops a l o n g the wayalongtheway A VISITORS’ GUIDE TO HURON COUNTY stopsalonglakehuron.com Read the latest issue on-line at... 430 Queen Street, Blyth, Ontario 226-523-9720 Specialty Coffees & Espresso Bar Lunches, Treats, Craft beer and Ontario wine Parkland FUEL CORPORATION el#bfHot ed by Philip AkinectDir July 1 - Aug 8 ean Dixonby S ilThe WWi eemierorld PrW ed by Philip Akin ean Dixon ilberforce Hotelilberforce Hotel estival.cblythf ets tBook your tick ed by Philip AkinectDir Sponsors Season 2017 - 2015 ears a Sleward: 22 YYeSt ex County. LoosMiddless o learn something lifome tc omic and deeply moving, two minstrHighly c TIONAORPORFUEL C arklandP 862.5984.8777.om 1.estival.c oday!ets t ed by Philip Akin Sponsors eeman.ears a Frlave, 40 YYe aphy of Austin obiogred on the autely basex County. Loos e-changing about early blacing liffe els on the run fromic and deeply moving, two minstr Sponsor Media 2015 aphy of Austin tlers in ete-changing about early black s e om policels on the run fr Sponsor oduction Pr Graduation Danielle graduated from Georgian College in Barrie on June 18th, 2015, receiving an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, with Honours. Danielle is a graduate of Brussels Public School and F. E. Madill Secondary School. She is the daughter of Nanci and Greg Ducharme of Brussels. Danielle is employed at Watson’s Home Hardware and Furniture in Goderich. Love Mom, Dad, Evan, Grandma and Grandpa Bennett, Grandma and Grandpa Ducharme. Graduation TIM WAECHTER on June 25, Tim completed his Agriculture SHSM and graduated as an Ontario Scholar from St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton. He plans to pursue an apprenticeship in small engines - power sports. He is currently employed at Huron Feeding Systems. Congratulations Tim Love from all your family and friends Brodhagen Chamber of Commerce Chicken Barbecue Saturday, July 11 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Adults $15.00 Children $7.50 Limited number of tickets at door For tickets call 519-348-0940, 519-345-2523, 519-345-0143, 519-345-2248 Brodhagen Community Centre Check out www.brodhagencommunitycentre.com A lengthy trial Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser, portrayed here by David Fox, left, is the subject of Seeds, written by Annabel Soutar and directed by Kim Collier. The show opened the 41st season of the Blyth Festival on Friday. The saga begins in Schmeiser’s field in 1997 and then travels all over the world in the form of global awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as a result of the trial and Schmeiser’s resistance to the forces of Monsanto. (Terry Manzo photo) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 23