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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-08-15, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013. PAGE 19. ‘Garrison’s Garage’ returns to Blyth Festival A remount (and slight modernization) of Garrison’s Garage at the Blyth Festival Theatre deserved its label as the most talked about show of the season, as explained by a Blyth Festival staff member. Garrison’s Garage originally premiered in 1985 and, with the remount this year, Blyth Festival Publicity and Marketing Co- Ordinator Lisa Hood explained that, when people called in to get their tickets, many of them had a story to share about their friends seeing the show way-back-when and, having just seen it for the first time, I can understand why. While the story may be as old as I am, the plot, the characters and the comedy are timeless. As long as there are countries, as long as there are governments, there will be taxmen like Blair, as brought to life brilliantly by Rylan Wilkie, who feel that the tax act is Biblical in its scope and religious in its application. It’s because of timeless characters this show, written by Festival mainstay Ted Johns and directed by Festival Interim Artistic Director Peter Smith, will find a receptive audience whenever and wherever it’s staged. Other Festival familiar faces included husband-and-wife duo Tony Munch as mechanic Frank and Catherine Fitch as restaurenteur- gone-broke Lorna. Acclaimed Canadian actor David Fox as Garrison, and Jamie Robinson as Bert round out the comedic cast perfectly. The play is so timeless that, aside from the inclusion of a cell phone and an iPad, I can imagine it being played 10 years ago and 10 years from now and still being more-or- less the same while still being well- received. As far as the story is concerned, Revenue Canada officer Blair finds himself in several sticky situations as Munch’s Frank, while slowly and in his own mysterious way, repairs the taxman’s car. He’s faced with a difficult choice between his job and following his heart when he discovers what he believes is likely an entire town full of tax evaders. Wilkie brings the idea of the torn psyche to the forefront of Blair’s character well, leaving the audience with a definite sense that this is likely the most difficult decision he has ever had to make, even more than the one to leave a heavily- religious life for one following the tax bible. Meanwhile, only Fitch’s Lorna knows that he is a taxman and he finds himself welcomed to Frank’s garage, in the middle of Garrison’s scrapyard, like a member of the family, eventually finding himself helping Frank with his pending tax problems. The play itself is unique in that everything seems to take place in a very short period of time. Each ‘scene’ happens seconds PIG ROAST for Jeff Linton and Keresa Isaacs Sat.August 24 th 3PM • Dinner 6 p.m. • BYOB • KidsWelcome At the home of Paul and Amanda Linton 44602Winthrop Road, Dublin Tickets 519-345-0769 Open House for Leo & Rita Deitner on the occasion of their 55th Wedding Anniversary also Mom’s 80th Birthday on Sunday, August 18 at St. Ambrose Church, Brussels 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. No gifts please (Donation to Food Bank accepted if you must!) Nifty! Nifty! Look who’s 50 Happy Birthday Dad Love the girls BENEFIT DANCE for CRAIG “SHOLTZY” SOMERVILLE Sat. Sept. 7, 2013 Seaforth Agriplex 5:30 pm-1am • BBQ 5:30- 8 pm Donation at the door after 8 pm for dance. Tickets $20 available at Archies UPI Seaforth or Call Jared 519-854-9755 Those who wish to donate items please contact Brent Pryce 519-525-6295 SILENT AUCTION Much love xoxo from family and friends 9595ththHappy Birthday ISABELLE HUNT August 15 th SAVE THIS DATE!! MAX DEMARAY IS 80! Come & Celebrate!!! Saturday, August 17 1 pm to 4 pm Brussels Legion Best Wishes Only Lonnie and Marilyn’s 30th Anniversary Pig Roast Come out and celebrate August 18, 2013 RSVP to Nicolle at 519-357-2505 or nicolleandryan@hotmail.ca for directions and details Happy 35th Anniversary John & Merilyn McDonald August 19, 1978 Love ~ your family Entertainment Londesborough ON.............................................www.seedforwildbirds.comnaturesnest@tcc.on.ca Getting filled in Rylan Wilkie, front left, plays Blair, getting some important information from Garrison, played by David Fox, centre right, later on in the Blyth Festival’s remount of Garrison’s Garage nearly 30 years after it first hit the stage. Flanking the duo are the rest of the cast including, from left, Tony Munch as Frank, Catherine Fitch’s Lorna and Jamie Robinson as Bert. The show runs until Aug. 31. (Terry Manzo photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 20 430 Queen Street, Blyth, Ontario226-523-9720Specialty Coffees &Espresso BarLunches, fresh pies, buttermilkbiscuits, cakes, etc.