HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-07-16, Page 19The Mail Order Bride which
opened at Blyth Festival Friday, is as
warm and stirring as a gentle prairie
breeze.
It’s been 20 years since Mail Order
Bride was last seen on the Blyth
stage. Penned by Robert Clinton, the
production, though not even
“homegrown”, was an instant hit in
its 1988 showing, following on the
heels of its premier at Edmonton’s
Theatre Network. Directed by
Katherine Kaszas, then artistic
director, it was remounted the
following year and toured
throughout Ontario and western
Canada that fall.
When current Festival artistic
director Eric Coates was looking for
something from the theatre’s heyday
that resonated with audiences it was
Robert Clinton’s story of a lonely
Alberta farmer, his mail order bride
and their life unfolding that kept
coming to mind.
Kaszas, in the director’s chair
again brings a fresh approach to the
production but with a no less tender
touch. She balances the dark
undertones with the humour, so the
result is a beautiful story of love, of
calling a place home and making it
one, of relationships and trials.
With all of this, The Mail Order
Bride can’t be categorized as drama
or comedy. It is a human story and as
such carries with it all emotional
elements.
Its characters are well-defined and
very real, making their story all the
more captivating. You like them and
care.
The story begins in 1954 with a
rather intense Russell Teeter (Gil
Garrett) and his wife Eva (Claire
Burns) arriving from the city to
prepare his grandparents’ farm for
auction. While there, they meet
Harold English (Brad Rudy) an old
family friend, who takes them on a
journey of understanding.
Teeter’s grandmother, Charlotte
(Catherine Fitch), was a 38-year-old
spinister when she arrives in the
dead of winter in 1908 Alberta, with
a group of other mail order brides.
Her ‘intended’ is a lonely, young
farmer Charles Teeter (Daniel
Roberts), who is less than satisfied
initially with his much older bride.
The play moves back and forth
between that time and up to 1954,
offering poignant glimpses into the
life and family that the union
creates. The audience learns of the
Teeters’ son, who passes away as a
child, and meets their daughter,
Russell’s mother, Rachel (Marion
Day), and his father, Art Milligan
(Daniel Brière) a tractor salesman.
The character of Harold binds the
others together, and in Rudy’s
portrayal we see a heart that is both
time-worn and tender, a no-nonsense
attitude, and a wry humour.
Fitch is perfect as Charlotte, a
woman with strength and courage
that holds her up despite any
challenge. Roberts as her husband
strikes the right tone, his rough
edges neatly tied with a thread of
senstivity.
Russell is a tightly-wrapped
package of negative energy and
attitude, bounding, hollering, and
edgy and Garratt takes it
unapologetically, full throttle.
Rachel is a sharp, sensual woman,
who feels suffocated and can’t wait
to break out of her rural existance,
then must find a way to live with the
decisions she makes. Day sends
those messages loud and clear.
As the salesman, Briére has a
slick, but endearing manner, while
Burns is a sweet Eva. It is no small
accomplishment for these two Blyth
newcomers that they hold their own
with the veteran performers.
With today’s cavalier attitude to
love and commitment, The Mail
Order Bride is a breath of fresh air, a
timeless classic that reminds some
things are worth struggling for.
The Mail Order Bride is on stage
at Blyth until Aug. 15.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&Theatre review‘Bride’ as stirring as a warm prairie breeze
At the theatre
In a tender scene from The Mail Order Bride, with a little
imagination the audience is taken back in time as Marion
Day, right as a young Rachel, and Brad Rudy, who briefly
steps out of the role of Harold English to play her ‘little’
brother, hear a story from their father Charles, played by
Daniel Roberts, top. The play, which was first on the Blyth
Festival stage in 1988, is back again this season with
shows until Aug. 15. (Terry Manzo photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Mr. & Mrs.
Gerry & Nancy O’Reilly
announce the
forthcoming marriage
of their daughter,
Meaghan Marylou O’Reilly,
to
Kenneth Edward McCallum,
son of
Mr. & Mrs.
Paul & Dianne McCallum,
at St. James Church, Seaforth
on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Forthcoming Marriage
Help us celebrate
50 + 1
Wedding Anniversary
for
Pat and George
Langlois
1958 - Hot Rods were cool,
Beer was $5 a case,
Montreal Canadiens
won the Stanley Cup and
Grama and Papa
(Pat and George) were married.
The family would like to
invite everyone to the
celebration on
Saturday, July 25
at the BMG Community
Centre
Greetings at 7:30 pm
Entertainment and
presentations 8:30 pm
Dancing to Wilbees and
buffet to follow.
Best wishes only or donations to
Brussels Community Centre
renovation fund.
50th Wedding
Anniversary
for
Mel & Lois McArter
You’re welcome to an
Open House
at the Brussels Legion Br. 218
Saturday, July 18, 2009
from 2-4 pm
In lieu of gifts, best wishes or
donations to the Brussels Legion
Renovation Fund
Stag & Doe
for
Sabrina Buffinga
&
Nick Knoop
Saltford Valley Hall
Saturday,
July 18
9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Tickets $5.00
Music by DJ
Late lunch provided
Age of majority
For tickets call Susan
519-523-9216
Happy 16th
Birthday
Holly
Love your family
and friends
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however, it is estimated that more than 80 per cent of asthma deaths can
be prevented with proper asthma education and management