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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-08-20, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015. Burkett’s Daisy Theatre storms through Blyth Blyth Festival audiences were in for a treat last week if they were among the lucky hundreds to have snagged a ticket to see world- renowned puppeteer Ronnie Burkett and his Daisy Theatre in the Phillips Studio. In addition to his work designing the set and costumes for Fury, the Festival season’s third main-stage production, Burkett spent last week performing a quick, five-show run of Edna Rural’s Church Supper, featur- ing characters from The Daisy Theatre, that was completely sold out. Burkett’s Daisy Theatre shows are famous for their unpredictability, he said in an interview with The Citizen. There is also plenty of vari- ety, as Burkett’s puppet cast has grown to well over 40 characters since it began at the 2012 Luminato Festival in Toronto. With so many options, Burkett had told The Citizen that every Daisy Theatre show is dif- ferent. On opening night, for instance, Burkett hand-picked several audi- ence members to participate in the show alongside him – one of whom was David Armstrong, president of the Blyth Festival Board of Directors. Armstrong’s choosing, Burkett insists, was a complete coincidence. It resulted in plenty of laughs from the packed Phillips Studio house as well as a “performance” by a shirt- less Armstrong. Audience participation is a staple for Burkett’s Daisy Theatre shows, which is what gives every show a life of its own. Whether it be audi- ence members on stage manning puppets, serving as a stagehand for one of Burkett’s characters or choos- ing their next character when given a choice by Burkett, the audience plays a crucial role in a Daisy Theatre production. On opening night, Burkett fed off the audience, diving head-first into a show that very often had those in the seats laughing uproariously or bring- ing the house down with applause. Whether it was a surprise strip show, complete with vocal stylings, a retired military man with a soft spot for showtunes, a washed up Hollywood diva or an old Vaudeville performer, Burkett’s cast of charac- ters is deep and rich in its complexi- ty. Each has its own voice, its own act and its own personality. Burkett is as impressive of an artist as has been in Blyth in years. Over the years, Burkett has won the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award, the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, a regional Emmy Award, two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, four Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards, a Chalmers Award and a special cita- tion from the Obie Awards. He has performed all over the world, includ- ing London, Sydney, Stockholm, Manchester, New York City, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Adelaide, Dublin, Vienna, Germany and all over Canada. It is engrossing watching him work “on the bridge” (above the puppet stage, where the puppeteer holds the strings), often working two puppets at time, controlling not only their movement, but their hands and legs in a startlingly human fashion. While the show opened in irrever- ent fashion, establishing early that nothing was off limits in the adult- themed show, Burkett’s trademark character, Edna Rural of Turnip Corners, Alberta, made a late appearance (after a haphazard trip from western Canada) and settled things down a little. While at the same time injecting her own brand of small-town humour into the show, Rural also brought a sense of emo- tion to the show, speaking of her late husband and her life’s second act as a member of the Daisy Theatre com- pany. She doles out true life advice as well, telling audience members that her mantra of “keep your fork, there’s pie” doesn’t just apply to din- ners at the Rural home, but in life. Just when you think it’s all over, something sweet will surprise you – take it from her, she says. The show is also bookended with Franz and Schnitzel, the latter of whom is hard not to fall in love with. The audience first joined Schnitzel on his journey to find his angel wings, a quest that at first seemed to not bear fruit. When he returns at the end of the show, however, audience members learn that isn’t the case, before Schnitzel sends the audience off with a lullaby. Blyth was truly lucky to have Burkett swing through, even if it was only for five shows. Burkett’s humour was offside, yet smart and classical in its themes, and very often self-deprecating. He explored the political landscape on a national level, while at the same time keeping things extremely local, commenting on everything from Blyth’s main street music to the “chin-wagging” at the Queens Bakery to his own work in Fury. Equal parts artist above and below the bridge, Burkett was truly a gem to behold at the Blyth Festival, deliv- ering what he promised in this year’s Citizen Festival special edition when he said, “I can honestly say that [members of the Blyth Festival audi- ence] haven’t seen anything like it before.” For more information on Burkett and future shows, visit www.thedaisytheatre.com. Humour and emotion After first hitting the stage at the 2012 Luminato Festival in Toronto, Ronnie Burkett’s Daisy Theatre crew has grown substantially in the last few years. The Blyth Festival, specifically the Phillips Studio, was lucky to have Burkett in the community to perform a run of five shows last week that was completely sold out, with many shows having a waiting list of people hoping to get into the small performance space. (Photo submitted)    Parkland FUEL CORPORATION    uryFFu #bfFury ed by Micheline ChevrierectDir Now until Sept 12 eemierorld PrW    ury ed by Micheline Chevrier Now until Sept 12 hoamuel SShMusic by SSa eteyrics by PPeBook & LLy    holdice mither SSm    Sponsors Season 2017 - 2015 TIONAORPORFUEL C arklandP o by TJeff Irving and Rachel Cairns. Phot    estival.cblythf Book your tick ed by Micheline Chevrier orm of 1913eat StIn the Gr    ory and a slic“...an intriguing st fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. Sponsor Media 2015 o.erry Manzo by T    862.5984.8777.om 1.estival.c oday!ets tBook your tick eightord frexffo, as the mighty Wof 19133,   ogether in one play. e of the past tory and a slic fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. ertain this Thought- Mary Alderson, Ent Sponsor oduction Pr    862.5984 es the acer ffaeight  ogether in one play. fury, one young woman holds out hope against impossible odds. ertain this Thought Sponsor Media The Elementary School Fair is going to be held on Saturday, Sept. 19 this year. Exhibits can be placed at the Belgrave Community Centre on Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 18, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The community extends congratu- lations to Matt and Margie Beck and to big brother Axel Beck, on the birth of their daughter and baby sis- ter, Revel Mayzee on July 3. By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE School Fair Sept. 19 NEWS FROM BELGRAVE By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Have A New Addition? 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy! The Citizen Call for prices and details