HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-11-06, Page 1What better way to celebrate the
35th season of Blyth Festival than to
revive the past.
Artistic director Eric Coates has
announced a season’s playbill for
2009 that features some of the old,
some of the new both on stage and
behind the scenes.
Unlike some other seasons, Coates
said his plan is to “studiously avoid
questions” about thematic
productions. “The big theme is to
maintain the momentum we built
while paying tribute to the kind of
shows we consistently produce and
push forward.”
There is, however, one interesting
element playing into this season. “I
am using a number of former artistic
directors, and current, in the mix.”
Does this mean Coates, who last
acted at Blyth Festival in 2004’s
critically-acclaimed production of
Dave Carley’s Test Drive, is back on
stage? “Yes, I am coming out of my
self-imposed acting retirement,” he
smiles.
The play, Hockey Mom, Hockey
Dad, in which Coates will take on the
lead male role is a popular Canadian
play that is not a Blyth original. “I’ve
always liked Michael Melski’s
writing and this one really struck a
chord with me.”
While there are many plays about
the dynamics of sports, Coates said
this one centres on the two single
parents watching their kids’ games.
“He relentlessly pursues her and it
seems to be a sweet romantic
comedy. But then there is an incident
of violence on the ice and the play
takes an interesting turn.”
As for his return to acting after
proclaiming often that he feels there
are better actors for the jobs, Coates
said he simply decided he wanted to
give this role “a whirl.”
“I suspect there will be some happy
people in the audience, like my
mother, and probably some of my
peers rolling their eyes,” he laughs.
People will have to wait until mid-
season to see Coates, however, as
Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad is slotted
in to the third playbill spot.
To open the season, Coates said he
wanted something that would make
the biggest splash. So jumping into
the pool of talent for the Festival’s
2009 season are former artistic
director Janet Amos, and her
husband, Blyth favourite Ted Johns.
During lunch with Amos and
Johns, Coates explained some of his
ideas to celebrate the theatre and
Johns agreed to write a play that
would do just that. “About two weeks
later he presented me with 50 pages
that bore no resemblance to what I
had talked about,” laughs Coates.
“Until I looked more closely and I
realized it was exactly right.”
The Bootblack Orator is “Ted at his
finest,” said Coates. It’s a two-hand
play featuring Amos and Johns
comprised of material collected from
John R. Clarke, who toured Huron
County during the 1880s.
“He delivered fantastic illustrations
and lectures on a huge variety of
topics. What’s so striking is it
recreates this time when hamlets,
such as Moncrieff, had literary
societies and historical societies.
They would gather to debate and
discuss in much more meaningful
ways than today with our blogs.”
Coates said the play is
unconventional, more a performance
of these lectures, with Amos playing
a series of characters who show up to
listen.
To follow this, Coates decided
should be a play that would balance
this, “a real classic from here.”
Though the decision was difficult,
Coates finally settled on Mail Order
Bride by Robert Clinton, which
played at Blyth in the later 1980s, and
was a “massive success”.
“I fell in love with it. It’s complex,
one of the most theatrical pieces
that’s been done here.”
Directing it will be former artistic
director Katherine Kaszas, who
directed the original.
The fourth play, is The Nuttalls by
award-winning playwright Michael
Healey, who penned the hugely
successful The Drawer Boy.
“This is a big coup,” said Coates. “I
have tried for years to get him to
write a new play for us, but he’s been
busy writing for the Mirvishes or the
Tarragon. To get him to commit this
time to us is reassuring because
people across the country will pay
attention.”
The play is about a mother and son
who own a cottage rental business.
“They are two absolutely
dysfunctional people who loathe each
other but are co-dependent. They are
also both compulsive liars, so as you
watch it unfold you have no idea
what’s real.”
Wrapping up the season is the
return of last year’s sold-out
production, Innocence Lost: a play
about Stephen Truscott.
“It was incredibly successful, one
of those times when you know the
theatre is serving its purpose.”
Openings for the shows are The
Bootblack Orator, June 24; Mail
Order Bride, July 8; Hockey Mom,
Hockey Dad, July 22; Nuttalls, Aug.
5 and Innocence Lost, Sept. 8.
A good book
There are few things in this world that are better than a good book and a lollipop, as Nicholas
McArter found out on Halloween last week at Brussels Public School. Students were
encouraged to leave the costumes at home, but to dress in orange and black for the day.
McArter went the extra mile, wearing a wig to show his school and Halloween spirit. (Shawn
Loughlin photo)
A Brussels native has
begun a six-month tour of
duty in Afghanistan as
part of the medical corps.
Corporal Blair
Davidson, 36, son of
Doug and Linda, and
grandson of Mary
Davidson and Cecil and
Louella Raynard, left a
couple of weeks ago for
Kandahar City.
His mother said that the
last communication they
had with their son, he was
working in the medical
records department,
however, a message to his
sister indicated that he
may now be in the hospital. “I know he hopes to get into
more action soon,” said Linda.
“We are behind him 100 per cent. This is what’s he’s
wanted, and I know he wants to be doing what he’s
trained to do.”
The 36-year-old spent five years working in the
military hospital in Ottawa before being posted to
Pettawawa in August.
Linda said they have only heard from their son twice
since he left, the first right after his arrival. She believes
that he is now working 12-hour shifts six days a week.
“He said it’s very hot during the day and very cold at
night. Other than that we don’t know much about what’s
happening.”
She hopes communication will improve when
Corporal Davidson gets his computer up and running.
“Things are certainly better that way. It’s nothing like it
was in other wars. Computers have really helped people
in getting information about and to their family.”
His mother said Davidson is on Facebook and
encourages people who know him to send him messages.
Before military service, Davidson was a licensed deep
sea diver, working in eastern countries as an underwater
welder. Linda believes he was spurred on to serve his
country after 9/11.
Though she knows her son is doing what he loves,
Linda admits his adventurous nature can be worrisome.
“He has always been someone who likes to explore and
try new adventures. But I don’t know that this is any
worse than the diving years ago.”
“He was pushing to go to Afghanistan so we’re happy
for him. I know it’s what he wants.”
Coates brings
them back for
Festival’s 35th
CitizenTh
e
$1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
Volume 24 No. 44SPORTS- Pg. 8Hockey season in fullswing at arenas TRIBUTE - Pg. 13 Former resident creates ABridge to RemembranceCOMMUNITY- Pg. 2Kids’actions show they carePublications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 PAP Registration No. 09244 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0INSIDE THIS WEEK:
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Brussels native in Afghanistan
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
CPL. BLAIR DAVIDSON
Medic in Afghanistan