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Times-Advocate, 1979-06-27, Page 17’J.. Sw» • / / v. Z. ACTORS RELAX — Three members of the cast of Pools Paradise enjoy sitting in the theatre court yard. Drew Russell plays Rev. Humphrey, Jennifer Austin plays Ida and Peter Millard is Willy in the new production. THE PLAYHOUSE IN ' 73 — A big blue and white circus tent was the mark of Huron Country Playhouse in the years from 1972 to 1975 when the theatre was built. List Burgerfest winners A SCENE FROM OKLAHOMA — James Murphy describes Oklahoma as the playhouse's all- time favourite. Bystanders are assuming that The Sound of Music will top it. Lucky draw winners who made donations to muscular dystrophy on Burger Fest week end were, tank of gas from Pat’s gas bar * Colin Love; dinner for two at Fisherman’s Cove - Debbie Brock; hair cut and blow dry from Keith’s hairem - Sue Crocker; Voucher at Grand Bend cleaners - Feby Van Praet; Scooby dog donated by Patti Cleve - Sherrie Desjardine. Voucher at Betty and Art’s I.G.A, D. Paddell; winners of donuts donated by Flear’s bakery ■ Fern Love, Tommy Cleave, B. Osbitsch and Mrs. E. Carson.; ice cream from Baskin Robbins -Irene Gill. A dream that came true “You’ve came a long way.” That’s what everyone in the Bluewater Country area should be saying to James Murphy at the Huron Country Playhouse. Murphy is one of the lucky few who was able to realize a dream. It was an idea that he found very appealing-a playhouse in the country, and fun with summer stock. “I think he had that vision,” his wife Barbara says. When the opportunity for a country theatre came along, Murphy took it. Murphy had found the Toronto Gate Theatre productions and in 1972 he came up with the idea of bringing the group to Grand Bend for the summer. He chose Grand Bend, because of its huge summer population, and because he felt something was needed in the area. “There was no Petrolia, no Blyth, no Theatre London,- it was still amateur, called A FISHEYE VIEW — The inside of the barn-like theatre was completed when lighting was added in 1976, Old theatre seats make the theatre "quaint". Whacky British farce kicks off a new season The 1979 season at Huron Country Playhouse is opening with a whacky British farce, Pools Paradise Playhouse workers describe it as “sort of like a sequel, but not really a sequel” to their hit of two years ago See how they run. What they mean is, that if you saw .. See how they run, you’ll remember the characters and setting, but if you didn’t you can still enjoy Pools Paradise. Both works are by Philip King, and James Murphy is directing. Reverend Lionel Toop runs a very poor parish in England, but his lack • of funds does not prevent him from continually preaching the wickedness of gambling. On the other hand, his wife, Penelope is not thoroughly convinced that gambling is all wrong. In fact, she enjoys playing the football pools along with the As you read this I’ll be riding in an Austin Mini, down a delightful English country lane, perhaps visiting a quaint pub, along with my new husband. Maybe by then I’ll even be able to say the word husband without stammering. You see, I’m writing this a week before my wedding, so that you’ll have something to read while we’re away on a British honeymoon. I’m sure we’ll be having a wonderful time — exploring Stonehenge, visiting Stratford-on-Avon, and driv­ ing through the countryside of Scotland. Or perhaps — We could be sitting somewhere in an Austin Mini that won’t start. We could be on some trail that hasn’t been used in 20 years with a very stubborn British Leyland product And it might be raining — we’ll probably be up to our ankles in mud. And just before the car stalled we might have had an argument on some impor­ tant issue such as which of us is better able to handle a stick shift with our right hand. Of course, by telling you about our honeymoon, I am assuming that we actually went through with the wed­ ding. I’m not worried about any of the small things that can go wrong — I figure that if our wedding is a disaster, it’s going to be a biggie! Now, I’m not worried about Victor not showing up. in 10 years of dating he’s never stood me up. However, he’s often been late, but there’s usually lit­ London Little Theatre,’’ Barbara says. Murphy was a first in the revival of local theatre. He soon found that having a summer theatre was a year round job, and plans to return to Toronto in the winter disintegrated. The Toronto Gate Theatre disbanded and Huron Country Playhouse was born. The next summer, many of the Gate people returned, but many new actors and actresses joined up, too. Barbara says that there are still some loyal actors from the original Toronto group who return each summer. Original plans called for the renovations of an old barn to be used as a theatre. A tent was erected for the first summer. But soon it became obvious that the barn fixing was an im­ possible task, and experts advised that it would be cheaper to build a whole new structure than to attempt the massive reconstruction. maid, Ida, and Willie the choirboy. Many theatre-goers should find the plot interesting, since lottery tickets and the problems that go with them are so prevelent today. Penelope believes she has won 800,000 pounds in the pools, but she doesn’t know if she should show her ex­ citement, or keep it a secret in fear of her husband’s wrath. Other crazy characters complicate the situation, and the problems escalate. Penelope Toop is played by Trudy Cameron who comes to Grand Bend for the first time from Regina. Jennifer Austin plays Ida, the maid, Jennifer is also new at the playhouse, and has a background in Shakespearean drama. Stanley Coles plays the Reverend Lionel Toop, and is an old friend of playhouse tle I can say when much of the time I’m not ready either. Besides, some of his excuses for being late are a delight to listen to. So if the wedding gets off to a slow start, I won’t com­ plain because any excuse he has that day will be a good one. I’m not worried about tripping and falling either. I’ve been told that if I do stumble, I should just turn around and give the carpet a dirty look. My premonitions tell me that if something’s going to go wrong, it will go wrong in a BIG way. “Skylab.” which is now orbiting the earth and scheduled to make a crash landing when it re-enters our atmosphere will fall directly on the church while we’re signing the register. If we do make it to the air­ port, we’ll probably find that We’re booked to fly on a DC- 10. Victor says he’s going to take his own socket-wrench and Sit on the wing. * * * So, if the wedding does come off, then I hope the staff at the T-A has changed my name on the byline. Despite arguments from some of my liberated female friends, I am going to take his name. After 24 years of having to put up with terri­ ble puns on Blewett I think I deserve a change. Besides, he says that the worst thing anyone has ever done to Alderson is changed the 1 to an n. I think I can handle that. Such a move was not to be made quickly, and the tent was the home of the stage for three summers. In 1975 a barn-like theatre was built. This proved to be a better idea in the long run, since the old bart provided excellent space for making scenes and props, and storage of them. Each year the theatre has grown, and now it’s even passed Murphy’s first plans. A few statistics show the expansion--in 1972 the total staff numbered a small 15, this year there are 50 acting spots, and a support staff of 31. This includes clerical workers, maintenance, and all the back stage crew. The first summer 5,300 came to see plays, but last summer over a longer season, they had 20,000 guests. Murphy says that this is his last year at the playhouse, and it appears to be shaping up as the best one yet. Advance sales are way ahead, “and that’s a healthy goers. You’ll remember him from The M'umberley Inheritance,.Charley's Aunt, and See How They Run. Stanley comes to Grand Bend from recent work at The Sudbury Theatre Centre and the Globe Theatre in Regina. The role of the stuffy spinster, Miss Skilion, is played by Jenny Turner, Jenny has recently had roles in Oklahoma and Pygmalion at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Peter Millard is back at the playhouse to take the part of Willie Briggs. Peter was the poor fellow who was forced to dress up as Charles's Aunt when he played Lord Fancourt Babberly in that play. Peter should have a lot of fun as Willie. The Reverend Arthur Humphrey is played by Drew Russell. You might recognize Drew’s voice as the same one that’s been in over 40 roles in CBC radio plays. But then again, you may not, as Drew boasts of several different dialects. The Bishop of Lax is played by Jay MacDonald, who returns to the playhouse to re-create this role. Jay has acted in many of Shakespeare’s and Moliere’s plays. If you’re looking for a laugh, British-style, then catch Pools Paradise, It starts today and plays every night at 8:30 until July 7. There will be no per­ formance on Sunday, but there are matinees on Saturday and Wednesday at 2:30. Dear Editor: I would like to express my appreciation to “volunteer firemen” who attended the fire at 9 Park street in Grand Bend recently. lama summer visitor and own the cottage next door at No. 7. These men did a good job in isolating the fire from the rest of the cottages. It is good to know these men have a real interest in the “Bend”. Thanks again. Cathie Young “A Lover of the Bend” LIBRARY NEWS S.L.i.C. will be arriving in Grand Bend at the Library on July 9th, 16th and 23rd. S.L.i.C. (Summer library club) is an activities program for the 8 to 12 year olds with involvement in crafts, games puppets etc. Three programs will be held on successive Mondays at the same time. Registration fee is $2,00 for the entire series. More details next week. Hope to see you at S.L.i.C. in July. It’s a ritual that starts at six o’clock nearly every morning. About a dozen men walk out on the big pier at Grand Bend’s beach. With them, they carry the regalia necessary for the ceremony they are about to undertake. First, they each select their own location. The cleanliness of Lake Huron is examined, and the direction of the sun is studied. When the perfect location is chosen, a lawn chair is un­ folded, and the men sit down. Minnow nets are lowered, and bait is captured. Those who do not believe in the minnow carry with them cans of muddy worms. The sun moves slightly higher over the village. Finally the line is cast. Slowly the fish start to come in. Perch for a late breakfast are thrown in pails, One man even keeps his catch in a plastic grocery bag. The bag rustles and moves around on the cement pier, as its contents flip and flop. When they decide that it’s not going to be a bad day, someone speaks. “We’re just a bunch of old retired guys,” he says. Another fisherman says they start coming sometime after the Victoria holiday, and then they try to make it every morning when the weather’s good. You get used to seeing the same fellows out every morning, he says. One man has two or three good sized perch among his catch. His cohort shouts out that it’s the spark plugs that do it. Another says, “Yeah, it puts a charge in the fish.” A third says “Butdon’t print that or Canadian Tire will have a fun on spark plugs.” When the man with the good catch pulls in his line, we see he has used an old spark plug for a sinker. He refuses to give his name after having his pic­ ture taken for the sign,” Murphy says. The Sound of Music is almost sold out already, and Oklahoma’s position as the seems to be taking over Playhouse favorite. cusses policy with founder James Murphy. T-A photo ANY NIBBLES? — Clare Reid of Greenway says he usually gets out on the pier at Grand Bend two or three times a week. T-A photo The way to fish tales newspaper. “These fish are for eating, not for adver­ tising,” he says. By this time the sun has climbed in the sky, and dawn is a thing of the past. Hooks are removed from the lines, and the tackle box packed up. With lawn chairs "EATING' NOT ADVERTISING” - One of Grand Bond's fisherman shows off his catch. He was reluctant to give his name because he said he didn't want to advertise his fish. and rod in one hand, and fish in the other, the ritual ends and the men leave the pier. It’s ten o’clock, and another ritual is beginning. As men go for breakfast, crowds in bikinis move onto the beach, and the worship of the sun begins.