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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-02-10, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2011. PAGE 23. Several new faces could be found around Blyth last week as actors from Stratford and Toronto and playwrights from Calgary worked on Ottawa Street, a Canadian play set in Regina. Clem Martini and Cheryl Foggo travelled to Blyth from Calgary to work on the play, and take advantage of the space and actors pulled together by Eric Coates, Artistic Director at the Blyth Festival. The work was unusual, according to Coates, because they typically have familiar faces or playwrights working on their material through similar workshops. “This is unusual in the fact that it is not a Blyth Festival project,” Coates stated. “[Martini and Foggo] came in to work and see where it takes us.” Both playwrights agreed that it was good to get out of their normal stomping ground and get fresh perspectives on their work. “It’s good to come to a new community and get a fresh sense and fresh voices on the play,” Martini stated. “There is a different fabric and different players, depending on location. It’s good to see how that can affect a piece. The trip was a unique opportunity, according to Foggo, to see the country. “I’ve never been to Blyth, or even London,” she said. “We came to be outside our community.” Both playwrights agreed that it was good to have people who aren’t familiar with their other work to help with the project. They said it was good to not be pigeonholed. “This play is a bit of a departure, so we’ve done it somewhere secret,” Foggo stated. “We don’t want it to be decoded by people familiar with our previous work,” Martini stated. “We want people to say “What’s going on?”, not “What’s going on compared to [our] previous works.” Coates agreed, stating that the lack of previous experience creates a good environment for artists. “The first time working with a new playwright is good for both actors and playwrights,” he stated. “There are no preconceived notions.” Martini also stated it was good to come to Blyth, which is unique in that the theatre is part of the local economy, instead of an afterthought. “I think it’s really interesting to go somewhere where the cultural industry is important to the economic impact,” he said. “It’s great to see a place where the theater is an important part of the economic fabric.” Martini went on to say that North Huron is unique in that art isn’t just something that is funded by the community, but also generates jobs. “It’s cool to see how respected the arts are here,” he said, adding that it is a refreshing experience. Foggo stated that she agreed, and that she would love to see Blyth during the warmer months. “Blyth is a lovely little town,” she said. “And I think would be a pleasant and beautiful place to visit in the summer.” The workshop was important, according to Martini and Foggo, because they get to see their work come to life. “Working with the characters is a unique experience,” Martini said. “Writing a novel is a private and intimate experience, but with a play, the characters come and visit you. It’s like a note in a bottle, you don’t know who is going to play the parts or what people are going to see.” Foggo stated that seeing one of her plays produced is one of the best experiences of her life. “The only euphoric experience I have is as a playwright,” she said. “Watching my plays come to life is amazing.” The play is about two sisters from the only African-American family in Regina during 1944. “[The sisters] struggle with various issues,” Martini explained. “And the play follows them as things change when someone new comes to visit.” The play explores themes like the isolation of community, family and individuals, and watches how things change. Regina was chosen because Foggo and Martini wanted to pick a place that isn’t seen very often in plays. “You sometimes get a sense that stories only really happen in a few places,” Martini said. “In film, for example, things usually happen in New York or Los Angeles. It’s like parts of the world can’t develop their own stories.” Foggo stated that Canadian theatre development is unique in that it doesn’t limit you to where you are from. “Canadian theatre allows you to be from one place and work elsewhere,” she said. “The home theatre doesn’t stop you from working, and play development is so special to [the Canadian theatre community].” Actors Lisa Codrington and Audrey Dwyer embodied the two sisters during the workshop. They hail from Toronto, but are originally from Winnipeg. Jonathan Purdon, from Stratford, originally hailing from Toronto, along with Coates, filled out the remaining roles. Coates, who assembled the group, stated Codrington, Dwyer and Purdon immediately came to mind for the roles. “They really jumped off the page.” Coates said, adding that having Stratford so close to Blyth helped, because many artists can be found between jobs there. The actors were very excited to be part of the process, stating that it was great to get involved in a project like this from the start Through his experiences at the workshop, Coates believes that the play will be a success, and thinks it’s a good fit for the Blyth Festival Company. “I”m definitely interested in the future of [this] play,” he said. “And I think it would be a good fit for Blyth.” Coates went on to say that he likes bringing in pieces from outside of his viewers’ experiences. “[Plays like Ottawa Street] are good for increasing cultural diversity,” he said. “It will be very producible.” Artists converge in Blyth for workshop A script brought to life Clem Martini, Audrey Dwyer, Jonathan Purdon, Lisa Codrington, Cheryl Foggo (from left) and (not shown) Artistic Director Eric Coates hunkered down in the creative spaces at the Blyth Festival from Monday Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 to work on Martini and Foggo’s play, Ottawa Street. Purdon, Dwyer, Codrington and Coates acted out parts of the play to help Martini and Foggo visualize the play. (Denny Scott photo) FOR MORE INFO ON FREE ACTIVITIES PLEASE VISIT www.huroneast.com CLICK ON HURON EAST CALENDAR All-You-Can-Eat $795 Treat your Sweetheart Sticker’s Family Restaurant Call for reservations 519-526-7759 Auburn BRUNCH Sunday, February 13 9 am - 1 pm Entertainment Leisure& By Denny Scott The Citizen Get entertainment information on the Entertainment section of our website at www.northhuron.on.ca