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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-08-11, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011. PAGE 23. Tony Munch and Marion Day are well-matched in the Blyth Festival’s third show this year; writer Douglas Bowie’s Rope End. The play, which features Munch as Toby Boone, a middle-aged man looking back on his life with many regrets, and Day as Boone’s first crush Marisa as well as her daughter Zoe, asks the question ‘What if?’ through one of the oddest love triangles I’ve seen on the Blyth Festival stage. Boone, who, as the play opens, is sitting alone in a sparsely decorated room trying to figure out how to tie a noose, stumbles upon a picture from his childhood on the back of which his childhood sweetheartmMarisa, had written her desire to reunite with him three decades after they first met. The play follows Boone’s attempt to make good on that decades-old sentiment, tracking down his love and, through the acts, coming to the realization that the world that had wore him down may have had a similar effect on his beloved. Munch has shown his range during his first year at the Blyth Festival with his part in Hometown, but he continues to show the high, and low, notes he can hit through his role in this production. Paired with Festival veteran Day, the duo brings a smile to the faces of audience through some expected, and some unexpected, foibles throughout the play. Day, who portrayed both Marisa and her daughter Zoe, plays everything from a housewife to a cinephile with a taste for old films and Italy, to a travelling student. The stage designs and layout truly leant themselves to the story – hiding what needed to be hidden in the story, transforming to progress the character development and, eventually, leading to a well-written twist that answered many questions. While the play may not seem inspirational from the synopsis provided, Munch and Day bring characters to the stage that, while definitely struggling with their own unique problems, are also very approachable. Munch’s Boone, while facing down his past demons and coming to grips with his identity, could be any member of the audience trying to find themselves amidst memories of their past, while Day plays so many different personas, it would be hard not to identify with at least one, if not all of them. Munch’s larger-than-life presence brings Boone to the forefront and, at the same time, doesn’t overpower the emotions that belie the character. While some of the acting during the first half can seem slightly over- the-top, the stark contrast it creates with the second act’s dramatic flare creates a very unique experience for the audience. Rope’s End opened on July 27 and will run until Friday, August 26, with nine shows remaining. Actors’ chemistry carries Festival’s ‘Rope’s End’ When Zoe met Toby Tony Munch, playing Toby Boone, and Marion Day, playing Zoe, the daughter of Boone’s childhood sweetheart Marisa (also played by Day) came face to face during the second half of Rope’s End, the third show to open during the Blyth Festival’s 2011 season. Boone, feeling his life’s worth has come to an end, stumbles on a note from Marisa to her childhood sweetheart and decides to try and ignite a romance with her, 30 years after last seeing her. (Terry Manzo photo) Forthcoming Marriage Ken and Cindy Tervit together with Laurie and Debbie Campbell are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children Jaide Erin and Tyler Craig on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 1:30 pm Sacred Heart Church, Teeswater 50th Anniversary We would like to invite you to come help celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of our parents Keith and Marg Moffatt The celebration will take place at the Bluevale Community Hall on Saturday, August 13th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm Best wishes only please ~ Greg and Sandra The family of Ruth & Jim Axtmann invites you to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, August 13th Open House 2:30-5:30 pm at their home at 43181 Sawmill Road Best Wishes or Donation to Seaforth Food Bank. Axtmann Wedding Announcement Cameron and Alice Yuill of Belgrave are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Camerra Ashley Lynn Yuill to Ryan Wade Robar son of Joyce Cassin of Brighton and Todd Robar of Oshawa. Wedding to take place on August 20, 2011 at Knox United Church in Belgrave with reception at Knights of Columbus Centre in Wingham. Graduation Barb and Max McLellan along with big sisters Crystal and Candice, would like to send Chelsey a great big high-five for graduating with distinction at Conestoga College from the Business Administration and Management program. Chelsey has accepted a position as a Sensory Technician at Maple Leaf Foods. May all your dreams come true! Congratulations xoxo Celebrating 40 Years Join Harv and Barb Black and family Saturday, August 20th at the Wingham Legion 8 pm - 1 am Best Wishes Only Entertainment Leisure& By Denny Scott The Citizen BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED