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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-07-30, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015. ‘Mary’s Wedding’ to open next week at Festival Jamming The second annual Fiddle Jamboree at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre was held over the weekend, hosted by the Brussels Lions Club. Shown sawing out a tune is the first performer to take the stage, Don Nicholson, who got the crowd up and dancing, see below. (Denny Scott photo) This summer, Blyth audiences have the chance to see one of Canada’s most beloved plays: Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte. Two-time winner of the Betty Mitchell Award, and recipient of the 2000 Alberta Playwriting Competition, Mary’s Wedding has been seen and celebrated all over the English-speaking world in nearly 100 productions... but never before in Blyth. Directed by Blyth Artistic Director Gil Garratt, Mary’s Wedding stars Sophia Walker as Mary and Eli Ham as Charlie at Memorial Hall Aug. 5 to Sept. 12. Young Mary Chalmers is getting married in the morning, but tonight in her dreams, Charlie is coming to see her one last time. Tonight, they will dream it all again: how they met in a summer rainstorm, how he taught her to ride a horse, how her mother tried to stand in their way, and how Charlie answered the call to join the Canadian cavalry in the fields of France. It’s a love story set in the last days of our nation’s innocence. Blyth’s Memorial Hall was itself built as a living cenotaph to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of Canada’s armed forces. Mary’s Wedding celebrates the heritage of the building, while simultaneously painting a vivid and charming portrait of young love on the home farm. Playwright Stephen Massicotte is an award-winning writer whose plays include The Oxford Roof Climber’s Rebellion, The Clockmaker, Ten Questions to Ask Your Biology Teacher About Evolution, and The Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook, among others. His film projects include The Dark and Gingersnaps Back: The Beginning. A native of Canada, Massicotte currently resides in New York City. Director Gil Garratt is no stranger to Festival audiences having been involved with Blyth since 1999, including 13 consecutive seasons as an actor, director, and the director of the Young Company. In addition to his long tenure with Blyth, Garratt has worked steadily across Canada and abroad, most notably playing leading roles at the National Arts Centre, Neptune Theatre, and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. He spent 2012/13 as a resident emerging director at Canadian Stage in Toronto. Eli Ham made his Blyth debut in last season’s hit Stag and Doe, playing the Stag himself and was seen earlier this season as one half of the fugitive minstrel team in The Wilberforce Hotel. He is a veteran of the Stratford Festival, Humber River Shakespeare, The Grand Theatre, and numerous other companies throughout Ontario. Sophia Walker made her Blyth Festival debut earlier this season in The Wilberforce Hotel as Milly Steward. After graduating from Ryerson University Sophia was a company member at the Stratford Festival where her roles included Charmian in Antony and Cleopatra, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to name a few. She was recently seen as Esther in Intimate Apparel at London’s Grand Theatre. Creating the setting for Mary’s Wedding are Kenneth MacKenzie (set and costumes), Rebecca Picherak (lighting), and Lyon Smith (sound). Chantal Hayman is the Stage Manager and Neha Ross is the Assistant Stage Manager. Tickets are available by calling Blyth Festival’s Box Office at 519- 523-9300, toll free 1-877-862-5984 or online at blythfestival.com Meeting one of the Wawanosh Pollinators Club was held on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at the Wingham Community Garden. The members got right to work in the garden when they arrived. The club was divided into teams that were tending to different sections of the garden. Once the weeding was finished and the produce had been harvested and taken to the North Huron Food Share, the club moved its meeting to Cruickshank Park. Mary Ellen Foran officially opened the meeting with the 4-H pledge and introduced members to the importance of pollinators in their lives. Next, the election of officers was held. Gayle McIlhargey was elected president with Jaxson Curran as vice-president. Amanda Morrison volunteered to be the cover designer and Loretta and Kate Higgins agreed to share the job of press reporter. Hillary Schramm was chosen to be the attendance recorder. Members will share the task of writing up the meeting minutes as follows: meeting one, Maisy; two, Justin; three, Kate; four, Jolande and five, Hillary. The newly-elected president, Gayle, led roll call which was “name a pollinator”. Members then turned to their book and learned about cross-pollination versus self- pollination. Members were then told to find a quiet spot alone and listen for different possible pollinators. When they returned, they discussed animals that pollinate plants, such as birds and insects and other methods of how plans become pollinated such as water and wind. Gayle closed the meeting with the pledge and members enjoyed a snack of watermelon and lemonade. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. at the Jeffersons’ home. CAFÉ More than just a great sandwich! “Along the Way” — Concert in the Park — withnorth count r y t owers For more information: Facebook: Cinnamon Jim’s Café or North Country Towers Phone: Cinnamon Jim’s Café 519-887-8011 Website: www.northcountrytowers.com Turnberry Street, Brussels Listowel Rotary Club and Friday, August 14, 7:00 pm Admission by donation Listowel Memorial Park Amphitheatre 455 Royal Street E., Listowel Presented by: Parkland FUEL CORPORATION uryFFu #bfFury July 29 - Sept 12 eemierorld PrW y eteyrics by PPeBook & LLy hoamuel SShMusic by SSa y July 29 - Sept 12 mither SSm holdice Sponsors Season 2017 - 2015 TIONAORPORFUEL C arklandP estival.cblythf Book your tick ed by Micheline ChevrierectDir fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. orm of 1913eat StIn the Gr Sponsor Media 2015 hoamuel SSh Music by SSa 862.5984.8777.om 1.estival.c oday!ets tBook your tick ed by Micheline Chevrier fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. eightord frexffo, as the mighty Wof 19133, Sponsor oduction Pr holdice 862.5984 fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. es the acer ffaeight Sponsor Media Happy 25th Anniversary August 3 Doug & Corrie Love Alix & Dustin, Ryan, Jordyn, Meagan, The Sholdice and Rammeloo families 519-440-2717 Wonky Frog Studio STAINED GLASS 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 Pollinators meet