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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-22, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011. Continued from page 17 then. North Huron has continued that practice that the Village of Blyth started.” At this point, Cronin said she became completely involved in the plays and began taking on a leadership role in them. “The move was great, it allowed us to have all sorts of great perks that associated with the theatre, but it also made us change our way of thinking,” she said. “We had to simplify. Props and costumes had to be carried across town, so they had to be smaller. We would prepare the concert at the school and use the stage there as a practice and rehearsal area and then not get to the main stage until the dress rehearsal.” Cronin stated that, at that time, while there was still usually a theme, it was only for the junior and senior classes with the primary students doing whatever worked for them. “The senior classes were usually part of a mass choir,” she said. “That’s one memory that will always stick out in my mind. We had to go over to the Memorial Hall and, with the help of Peter Cook, set up risers for the choir that were used by the Blyth Festival Singers. We had to go back the day after and take them down as well, but that kind of community involvement was what made the plays great.” Around the time the plays began being put on at Memorial Hall, they also started shrinking considerably. “When we first started, the school concerts for go on for two or more hours,” she said. “When you have seven to eight scenes with music and at least three or four minutes to switch the scenes, you’re looking at a long play.” Once they got to Memorial Hall, the plays began to shrink not only because of the accessibility of the stage, but because it was how they were being produced. “We tried to keep the concerts to an hour or a little more,” she said. “We didn’t have full props, so it was quicker to change scenes and, at the school, there was only one way on or off the stage so it took a very long time to get all the students off the stage and get the next group on. Memorial Hall had several entrances and exits, making the time between scenes a lot less. “The double stage entry saved so much time.” The extra room afforded at the hall was also appreciated, according to Cronin. “When we were at the school, we had to occupy the students when they weren’t on the stage,” she said. “You had to get them to a classroom and close it to keep it quiet and keep them entertained and, before VCRs were available at the school, that could be difficult.” She continued to say that, at the Memorial Hall there was more room and the students were easier to manage. Another benefit of using the hall was some of the experience and some of the skills of members of the Blyth Festival. “We had people like Fran Cook, who was the sound and light person there,” Cronin said. “Shevolunteered to help us and it was ahuge benefit.“It really is the perfect venue,” she said. Later on light controls were changed to the responsibility of the director.Cronin said there were so manypeople in the community to help thatshe couldn’t name them all, but some names that came to her were: Janice Henry who helped prepare Plays began shrinking when moved to Memorial Hall Following the star In a very traditional take on the Christmas concert, Blyth Public School students approached the nativity scene with their Dec. 14 performance at Memorial Hall. Playing the parts were, from left: Kyle Gottschalk, Quinton Hakkers, Joseph Pizzati, Logan Chalmers, Mark Wiersma, Samantha Hubbard and Hannah Ortman. (Vicky Bremner photo) BDO Canada LLP & Staff So that the staff may enjoy the Christmas Season our Wingham office will be closed at noon December 23, 2011 and reopen January 3, 2012. BDO Canada LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors Just a note to our clients and friends. Wishing you all the best this holiday season. 47 Alfred St. W., Wingham Phone 519-357-3231 Fax 519-357-3230 e-mail: areed@bdo.ca GREY FIREFIGHTERS thank everyone for their support over the past year and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Christmas Eve Cash Draw 7 draws - top prize of $1,000. Tickets $5. from any Grey Firefighter JIM JOHNSTON CABINETRY * Kitchen Cabinets * Vanities * Wall Units Blyth Work 519-525-3639 Home 519-523-9608 May your home be blessed by the miracle of Christmas To our valued customers and friends, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year RYAN CONSTRUCTION (BRUSSELS) LTD. 83997 BRUSSELS LINE Brussels, Ontario N0G 1H0 519-887-6916 • Greg’s Cell# 519-357-5129 Merry Christmas & All the best in 2012 439 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9682 www.solacespa.ca Continued on page 21