HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1981-07-01, Page 26Tuesday
too
BY HERB SHOYFLEFR
Regional theatre is not without its
critics. Some are harsh. others flippant.
and Janet Amos. artistic director of the
Blyth Summer Festival. and her theatre
have occasionally felt the attacks or
triteness and short-sightedness. But with
faith founded on more than just intuition.
Blyth's developers and sustainers believe
in the importance of regional drama, and
the remarkably rapid audience grow th for
the Festival consistently reinforces that
belief. And one wonders 'who. in ram is
short-sighted.
Rather than being the illegitimate child
of theatre with wider focus, local theatre
is instead more dead% the parent,.
Regional theatre was an essential means
of communication in highk locali/vd
Greek city-states and it was the common.
unifying structure in the ancient -tocc n of
Troy on the lowlands of western Turkec .
As if -in testimony to an unending,
communal spirit, the ruins of that Trojan
theatre survive today.
The proof that the spirit remains real
and thankful for a 'voice is in the appeal
Blyth has for, its audience. Attendance
has . risen regular lv each year and
neceessitated an 88 seat addition to the
auditorium of Blyth's Memorial Hall,
home.of the Festival, last year. The net
result. though not-the bottom line, is that
the theatre:made a profit laSt year, a
claim seldom heard in Canadian theatre.
It's remarkable." tinted a confident
Amos. "I would bet we arc the only
theatre in Canada doing new ( nadian
plays that's come up in the black.' with
only limited grants."
With the enlarged theat1v. Bl-th last
year experienced ,the largest attendance
leap in its six-year history with tip
average increase of 100. per peaormanec.
Amos estimates at least three sellouts a
week last year, and early indicat e for
this rear, the seventh season, -are
evid ce'for eon! hilted-Ohm isni ;. be' Mae
ade amt. salts were. up approximatele 100
per cent over the-same period last %ear.
The. likelihood 'of another sncccssfu l
season has :dread% been in part affirmed.
The theatre took last year's eetremely
popular St. Sam and the' Nukes on the
road early in 1981. with shows as far ace ay
as Ainprior in eastern Ontario. Then in
May one of this year's flee plays. Fire on
Ice by Keith Roulston, was workshopped
by invitation at the Toronto Theatre
Festival.
Amos is confident the 1981 season
cc ill again give eisitors something to
cheer about. The season opens Jo 3
ith Anne Chislett's Quiet in the Land.
,directed be Gm Spring. II is the More • of. a
young Amish man whose 'me for a girl
conflicts with the clews of his father ;mid
the elders of his communite.
The second presentatiim.., beginning
July -7 . Is ( arid Bolt's Lox(' or rehine,
which cenrres on the me sterions disap•
pearaticc• of millionaire theatre Oct 114.4 1'
Ambrose Small. Sinall once Inc tied the
Grand Theatre chain but he sick' his
interests and was never he: from
again.
Nest is a second plate he Anne Chislett
(Wife of Festival founder James Roe) 'I he
Tomorrow Box. The play, w Inch open's
July 28. is the store of a f'amnt wife echo,
after her husband sells the- farm ct idiom
telling her, concludes she's had 4:e1991411
of his decisions and must forge her occ it
future. Of the riiinrdc, Wt011111 ear
Janet Amos
ea
Hall revived
- -Continued from page 9
ambition to start a theatre
company.
Paul Thompson had toured
through Blyth in 1973 with
Theatre Passe Muraille.
At Mr. Thqmpson's sug-
gestion. James Roy came to
Blyth, and in March of 1975,
he began the realilation of
his ambition.
First season productions
were The Mousetrap, a
"safe" Agatha Christie
mystery that has been
playing in London, England.
for 27 'years, and Mostly in
Clover. a play based on the
writing of (Hu'ron County
native) Harry J. Boyle and
assembled by the actors,
former artistic director.(
James , Roy and writer
Stephen Thorne.
Mostly in Clover outdrew
the "safe" production. First
season results reinforced Mr.
Roy's belief that "all good
plays are relevant to their
'audience." Since then, Blyth
Festival Theatre policy has
been the presentation of
work written and performed
by Canadians.
WELCOME
to the
Blyth Summer Festival
from the
Blyth Iin Hotel
Fully Licensed
Across the street
from Blyth Memorial Hall
BLYTH, ONT. 523-9381
FOOT
TROUBLES?
Manner National Arch Supports
could be your answer • as they have been for
thousands of others In Canada and the United
States. They are scientifically designed to
match the contours of your feet • makes
walking a pleasure again.
Light, Washable, Flexible
and Ventilated
R.W.Madill's
Blyth Ontario
kR FESTIVAL ISSPO' HE LY-Tft 00""
This season at the
Blyth Summer Festival
Friday
July 3
of
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
4
QUIET
8:30:p.in.
Country Supper
5 6 7
Opening
LOVE
8:30 p.m
8
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
9 LOVE
2 p.m ,
QUIET
8130 p.m,
10
QUIET
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
,..t .
11
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
12
•-.•
.
'13 •
LOVE
8:30 P.m.
14
QUIET
8:30 p.m
15 .
QUIET .
8:30 p.m,
16 QUIET .
2 p.m.
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
17 : •
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
18 oult!.
8:30 p.m;
Country Supper •
19
.
20 21 .
QUIET
-8:30 p.m.
' QUIET
8:30 p.m
22
LOVE
8:30 p.m,
23 LOVE
2 p.m,
QUIET
8:30 p.m,
24
QUIET
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper ,.
25
• LOVE
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
26 27 28 Opentng
TOMORROW
• 8:30 p m
29
TOMORROW
8:30 p.m.
30
TOMORROW
LZ, 8
8:30 p.m. '
1.
31
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
Aug.1
QUIET
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
Final Performance
2 , ,
_ ...
' J"
3 4 - rung
RE ° O
8:30 p.m ._
5 -
FIRE
8:30 p.m.
-
6 FIRE •
2p.m,
TOMORROW
8:30 p.m.
7
-TOMORROW
8:30 p.m.
• Country Supper
8 FIRE
813Q p.m.
Count upper
9 10
FIRE
8:30 p.m.
11
LOVE
8:30 p.m.
12 .
TOMORROW
8:30 p.m.
13'
TOMORROW
2 p.m,
14
FIRE.
8:30 p.m.
in TOMORROW •av 2m.
Equity Benefit
TOMORROW FIRE
8:30 p.m.
count!), supper 8:30p.m.
country st8dper
• 16 17
TOMORROW
8:30 p.m.
1819 .
TOMORROW
8:30 P.M.
' FIRE
8:30 p.m.
20 'FIRE 2p.m.
LOVE
• 8:30.p.m.
Final Performance
21
TOMORROW '
, 8:30 p.m.
- Final Performance.
Country Supper
22 FIRE
. .8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
Final Pertortnrianee
23 24 25
otiou
AR
ntir
8:30 p.m
26
• BARN
a30 p.m.
27'BARN ,
2m
' BARN
8:30 p.m.
28
BARN
8730 p.m.
Country Supper
29
BARN .
. , 8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
30 31
• • BARN
8'30 p m
--
'
Sept. 1
BARN
8'30 p.m
•
2
BARN
8:30 p.m.
3 BARN .. 2 p.m:
BARN
. 8:30 p.m.
4 BARN
• 8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
5 • -BARN .
8:30 p.m.
Country Supper
.
., •
Sunday Morbda# Ttturaday
Gordon Elliott
519.5234522
GENERAL
Mott 3nouranre .I erg Eimiteb
We invite you to
visit our shop to see our lovingly
crafted porcelain and stoneware,
both functional and decorative
things for your enjoyment.
As Toronto Life Magazine said recently
"Michael Ward'sPOttery shop sets the standards
for. milesaround."
Stith Surrimer festival
Best wishes'
on your seventh season
For.the summer season
we are featuring an exhibition
of etchings by Jo Manning
LIVESTOCK MORTALITY INSURANCE
We are open-tIll curtain time
throughout the summer season.
Phone 523-4203
Esublatied 1910
BLYTH, ONTARIO NOM 1110
519.523.4481
ir R. John Elliott
519-5234323
Blyth has a
winter progam
Beth Ann Cole,
Songs from the Theatre,
appearing Oct.7.
artistic director Amos sacs: "it's .1 c cry
important plat for the people in our
area." and she added an accountant had
mentioned the fact that farmers arc now
able Lit pas their cc ices for work un 1111.
farm "has done more for marriages ut
: this area. It puts the issue in a comic. cc ;lc
and in a serious 1,1 111: Tomorrom Hoe
director is Clarke Rogers.
Fire on Ice, cc hick opens A.u.gust I. is. •
the fourth play -of the season, and. tile'
fourth Roulston play to he perlormed at
Blyth.
"This is really a nem cerium\ for
him... acknowledges Antis. "It's not
su icily a coned'. .•• It's the story of, Hm% err
Moren/, one of hockee's first supei slats.
ho died 441 an earl'. age because of a
I broken heart • scnne sac . A nuts sacs II is
and it isn't" a conical. life w not
tragic, his death wa s tragic. He cc ,ts
1.':11'1% Ca nild11211 (MIMI Wan not front
Quebec. Thee laced hint. He ,ace Mein
their skit'. He had terrific passilinIcir the
game." Das. WI:us will direct Fire On Ice.
The additional pia% in the c'epo tided
'season in 1981 is a return of Hu
('torte • In From The Barn be 'Iced
one of the most popular productions in
the Festiears, histore. here is a
demand for it.•• notes Amos. adding the
lilac like the Tomorrow Hoc. also lids
%pct. ai i n 4ive n 'Aline hard it is
lu stall farming 'oda c aloe •
dirteIi'd bc. Paul Thompson. cliens-Ang-
L
'Ropiness, is—
Your own year round
campsite at;
"%t•imi•iftiPINE LAKE CAMP oir.001.1.00.
A qesatty Cainavoand Coottaiaaity R .R 1 Bayftold. Ontario
SkukUstO
Mite tr
MAIN ST.;
BAYFIELD
JD ► Health and Gift Centre
Blyth 5234440
Congratulates
-:
the
Blyth Summer . Festival
WELCOME ALL VISITORS At PINE LAKE the campground is owned by
the campers who have a continuing long
term lease. PINE LAKE is a way to provide
your family with- a year round hideaway,
where there are numerous activities for you
to loin In If you wish. There are frequent
dances, ball games etc.
Each site at PINE LAKE is completely
serviced with hydro, water and sewer
hook-ups. There are two lakes with safe
swimming and canoeing. For winter fun
PINE LAKE offers cross-country. skiing,
Ice-skating, snowmoblling, Indoor heated
pool, sauna and whirlpool. We have a
Chalet, Recreational building, snack bar,
store, Ice, children's playgrounds, and
propane filling station.
Come out and see us this weekend, walk
around our 80 acres nestled In nature that
you will share with other families like your
own. ,
Follow Hwy. 21 for 3 km. north'of Mayfield
and turn east on Telephone Rd. Watch for
our sign, or call Pat and Dave Woolhouse at
(519) 482-3380.
Highway 21, 2 miles south of Bayfield
(Under New•Ownerthip)
Daily, Weekly, Monthly
and Seasonal Rates on fully serviced,
beautifully treed campsites.
Restaurant'
Snack Bar
Motel
Showers & Saunas
"Specials" on new & used Trailers, 15 - 38 ft.
Something for everyone at
Sugar Bush
Pool
Banquet Hall
Children's Playground,
Propane Station
13 Quiet Rooms
565-2111
4
Visit Our Gift Shop Across The Road
Fully Licensed by L.L.B.O.
BAYFIELD. ONTARIO
(519) 565-2576
Lunch Deily 12 - 2
Dinner 6-10