The Citizen, 2008-09-18, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008. PAGE 9. Social acupuncture is the dramaticstyle this year’s Young Companyemployed in its Blyth Festivalproduction of Teenage HomeInvasions and it couldn’t have been
more appropriate.
The thought of sustaining a
needle-prick seems perfect when
thinking about Invasions.
Sometimes it felt good, as
acupuncture is supposed to,
sometimes it hurt, as a needle does
and sometimes it made you
uncomfortable, but there was no
fence-sitting.
The company excelled is in the
preparation. The youth didn’t
prepare for Invasions by rehearsing.
Instead they were out in the
community, travelling as a group,
invading people’s homes and asking
them the most intimate of questions.
The interviews formed the basis
for the play. The interviews were
projected onto a screen for the
audience to see and topics like
religion, life, death, homosexuality,
morals and transgressions, among
other things, were explored in a very
raw manner.
Over a dozen (at least one per
Young Company member) Blyth
residents were interviewed telling
their fears, saddest stories and
thoughts on death seemingly,
directly to the audience. However,
when narrative was required, Young
Company members chimed in,
condensing a person’s life into 30
seconds of quick facts and figures.
The effort was voyeuristic to be
sure, especially in a town of 1,000
where an audience member is sure to
recognize many of the faces
presented to them on the screen.
Layers were peeled back from
members of the community as they
spill the beans on their thoughts and
experiences with pre-marital sex,
theft, war, alcohol and drugs and
their past.
Each Young Company member
had two moments in the spotlight,
including teBrinke, via satellite.
Each member took centre stage atsome point in the performance to“rant” and then discuss an item theytook from one of their subjects’houses, how it made them feel andwhat thoughts it evoked in them.Later, a member of the audiencewas picked throughout a less-than-
admirable process of elimination
and the rest of the audience was left
to interview him while the Young
Company simply watched.
The trend continued as an
audience member’s lap was used as a
chair and all seats were emptied for
the show’s stirring finale as
everyone, cast, crew and audience
occupied the stage for a group
rendition of Amazing Grace,inspired by one of the group’s most-touching encounters.The Young Company gets crediton all levels for the finished product.While the true stars were yourfriends and neighbours, the membersof the Young Company did their part
to dramatize the events and present
them in a way that ensures the
impact will be felt.
In a style of drama that relies so
heavily on the audience and the
community around them rather than
their own strength as a performance
group, the Young Company can be
proud of the product its members put
on the stage.
Great work by Young Company
Jim and Elsie Walsh celebrated 60
years of marriage over the weekend
at Blyth United Church surrounded
by friends and family.
On Sept. 18, 1948, Jim and Elsie
(Cook) were married at Belgrave
United Church by Rev. W.J. Moore.
The Walshes honeymooned
around Muskoka and Bala before
they returned to the farm for 23
years.
In 1971, the Walshes moved to
Blyth where Jim began work with
the Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority for 14 years until he
retired.
The couple is blessed with their
son Don, his wife Brenda and
daughter-in-law, Donna.
The Walshes also have three
cherished grandchildren, Brad,
Sandra and husband Hank, who
Elsie says, is as special to them as
one of their own, and Michael of
Toronto and three precious great-
grandchildren, Brookelynn, Bailey
and Abigail.
Unfortunately the couple’s
wedding attendants, parents and
their son Murray have passed away.
The Walshes are currently
members of the Blyth United
Church and Blyth Swinging Seniors.
They enjoy spending time with their
family and friends and playing cards
in the area.
The Walshes wish to extend a
sincere “Thank you” to their family
and friends for making their
anniversary so special.
Congrats
Jim and Elsie Walsh reached a significant milestone
recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with an
open house at Blyth United Church. (Photo submitted)
Forthcoming Marriage
Lavern and Joan Clark
are pleased to announce
the forthcoming marriage
of their son
Ross Clark
to
Shawna Ionson,
daughter of
Elizabeth Ionson
of London, Ontario.
The ceremony will take place
on
Saturday, November 1, 2008
in London, Ontario
Couple marks 60th
By Jo-Ann McDonald
A veteran of Branch 218 was laid
to rest last week. Comrades gathered
on Monday evening to conduct the
Royal Canadian Legion Tribute for
Comrade Gordon Workman. Sandra
Cable assumed the role of Padre.
Gordon was a member of Branch
218 for 63 years. A veteran of the
Second World War and the Royal
Canadian Navy, Gordon served his
country from 1939 - 1946. A proud
member and supporter of Branch
218, he served on the executive and
as president in 1953.
Our Veterans of the Branch are
getting fewer and as with the pledge
of all Comrades of the Royal
Canadian Legion “We Will
Remember Them”.
There were over 20 attending the
first night of Cadets. Young people
12-18 are welcome to attend, so
come on out and check out the
Brussels Army Cadet Corps.
The first Friday night super had a
great crowd on hand to enjoy the
roast beef dinner. Helen Dobson
provided her usual array of delicious
desserts. This week will be
Salsibury steak.
Glad to report that Comrade Lloyd
Glanville is out of hospital and is
feeling better. Welcome back Lloyd.
Comrades Jo-Ann McDonald,
John Lowe and Eric Ross attended
Zone convention in Seaforth on
Sunday afternoon. Comrades were
treated to an excellent presentation
by Tracey McLellan on the Huron
Remembers trip that she organized
this past summer. She had an
excellent commentary and pictures
of the many cemeteries and of some
of the local men who are buried in
those cemeteries, that the group had
toured.
The fish fry crew was off to Exeter
on Sunday afternoon to feed nearly
200 diners at the Exeter Legion. It
was a wet day for Comrades Rick
McDonald, Jason and LeeAnn
Konarski, and Jo-Ann McDonald
who joined them after convention.
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
Legion Comrades conduct tribute
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