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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1978-08-23, Page 8BRUSSELS MIXED BOWLING LEAGUE Weekly bowling every Tuesday Price .$2„.25 per person per n ight' Telephone` for information. (Brussels) At37,6518 '887-9324 THURSDAY-9 p.m. 12 Play the juke box and pool table free RUSSELS NN 887-6921 Brussels MOE'S PIZZA OPEN HOTEL Monday to Saturday Closed Sunday THE BRUSSELS POST, AUGUST 23, 1978 Last two, .shows not sold outo receive inquiries for seats to "Oklahoma", the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical which ended its two-week run on August 12. Sold out notices via radio, television, newspapers, and the box office--even before the show opened--has cre- ated a bit of backlash as , As William Inge's comedy- drama "Picnic" started its, two-week run (Aug. 15-26) at the Huron County Playhouse the old theatrical adage, "That's show biz!" came into view. Artistic and. Man- aging Director, James. Murphy, and his box office staff have continued ' to The opening of 'Two Miles Off' on Wednesday, August 23 marks the return of music to the stage of the- Blyth Summer Festival.. `Two Miles .Off', directed by Brian. Rintoul of Mitchell, is' the story of a small town located two miles from the main highway--just enough to cut if off and stop the bus and train from stopping there. The play, written by an Edmonton group known as `Theatre Network',, is full of music and laughter and "will delight those who have many theatregoers till vie to see the big musical instead of the current comedy-drama, "Picnic." There is also another complication. "Many people seem to think, also, that the sell-out announcements for both. "Oklahoma" and "Bedroom, Parlour and Bath" apply, Obviously, the play is a demanding one, but the company more than measures up to the require- ments. `Two Miles Off' also sees the return of two previous Blyth Summer Festival members. Kate Trotter will be a familiar face to those who attended last year's , 'Festival. In addition to her roles in 'Two Miles Off, Kate has also played Cindy, the secretary in this year's successful 'His Qwn Boss' somehow, to the rest of the season," mused Mr, Murphy this week. "Not so!" he emphasized. "It's the price of success, I suppose, but that's show business. "Picnic" will not se the same as "Oklahoma' nor the Judy Savoy-starring vehicle of 'course. "Picnic" does offer :a contrast to the by Keith Roulston. Also returning as stage manager is Ron Ferguson. Ron is one of the original, founding members of the Blyth Festival. This year, Ron has worked on 'His Own Boss', `The School Show' and now `Two Miles Off.' `Two Miles Off' is a bright and lively play that will be enjoyed by the whole family. It will run every night from the August- 28 to September 2,,closing the Festival's 1978 season. light comedies and musicals. There's lots of humour in "Picnic", however. But there is also solid drama and poignancy; it verges on being a very earthy type of play telling the story of a hand- some Casanova who falls for a virginal beauty,..and she falling for him after they both don't attend the town picnic. "Young people will with Hal and Madge," Mr, Murphy continued, "even though they are fig- ures in the Fifties. After all, young love knows no time barrier. Neither does the concern of a mother who feels-life has passed her by. Or the situation of middle- aged singles seeking an escape from their loneliness and their limitations. These are all universal, timeless themes. They helped make this play a Pulitzer Prize winner. Audiences, so far, have loved this humourous drama. The language is very civil. Young Actress's Big Chance During "Picnic's" second and final week (Aug. 22-26) the role of Millie will be played by Amanda Lewis. Margaret Keith, who opened the run in this role of the younger, tomboy-but- intelligent sister, has a con- flicting engagement. This, therefore, allows the young and talented Miss Lewis an opportunity to display her versatility. She was seen in "Oklahoma" as Gertie, the girl who marries the pedlar, and she also participated in the singing-dancing chorus. Last Show Starts Rehearsals A rather risque, but harm- less farce, "Springtime for Henry" by Benn W. Levy, is the Playhouse's sixth and final production of the season. It went into rehearsal last week and will represent the Thirties in this season's "Tribute to Six Decades" by the summer theatre this year. The 1931 classic will star Anthony Parr, well known as the Desk Sargeant the past three years on TV's "Sidestreet" series, in the title role. He plays a happy libertine who reforms because. his new secretary only admires "the decent thing." So rescued from his sinful life, Henry soon discovers that being a paragon of purity turns him into a model of virtue--with disastrous consequences to his family and friends. Joining Mr. Parr will be Marilyn Boyle, cast as Mrs. Jelliwell, wife of Henry's best friend and object of, Henry's rakish ways. Miss Boyle was seen this season as Aunt Eller in the recent "Oklahoma" and in, "Par- lour, Bedroom and Bath" as Leila Crofton, the divorcee eager to be seduced. (It would seem that Ms. Boyle's characters this season have come full cycle!) Creating favourable notices for himself, J. Walston Carroll as Howard the 42-year old beau of the spinster schoolteacher in the current "Picnic", stays on to play Henry's best friend, Jelliwell. Edward, Everett Horton, the late comedy actor, became reknown for many farcical roles in movies and plays. But touring in this particular role for 18 years throughout • the length and breadth of North America, climaxing this activity by playing it in the 1951 Broad- way revival, assured his identification with the role for at least two generations of theatre lovers. Despite the fact that other major actors played Henry Dewlip ' in, the original Broadway and West End productions, as well as in the 1934 movie version, Horton has been inseperably ident- ified as Henry by legions of "Springtime for' Henry" fans. All productions at 'the Huron County Playhouse are performed Tuesdays to Sat- urdays at 8:30 with Wednesday matinees at 2:30 unless otherwise announced. The Playhouse is located' on the 4111,then B Line off Highway 81, about one mile east of Grand Bend's main highway junction. The box office is open daily, 9 to 9, except Sundays when it is closed all day. Reservations and other information may be obtained by calling 238-8451. missed the music at Blyth. The play will provide an excellent showcase for the talents of cast members, Kate Trotter, Peter Snell, Elizabeth Haina, "Chris Kelk, and Alden Jones. They not only singbut provide all the accompanying music for the show. Flut, ,mandolin, har- monica and guitar are some of the instruments played by the cast. Each of the actors and actresses will portray several characters, instead of playing the usual single role. Music returns to Blyth With Two Miles Off Biker rounds a turn at Walton's motocross Sunday YIPPEE! The COUNRY LOUNGE . , HOIST" . ' .— PROGRAMME STARTS AT DUSK CHILDREN IN CARS (12 Years and Under) ADMITTED FREE THEATRE OPEN ....mm.a* Friday, Saturday and Sunday I" 1... Programme subject to PHpNE 338-3121' unavoidable changes. WED. 23 THURS., FRI., SAT. Bette Davis & Christopher * . AUGUST 24, 25, 26 Lee Star in Walt Disney's RETURN FROM WITCH STAR WARS MOUNTAIN —ALSO— NO DEPOSIT-NOIRETURNI & Starring David Niven & Darren McGavin DAMNATION ALLEY CHILDREN'S AoMISSION:1 With George Peppard 25c L.,,,,, SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY — And ,_; AUGUST 27.28.29 '" A VIGILANTE FORCE Burt Reynolds & Kris Kristoffersonn SEMI-TOUGH ., OtAlitA. . R t -.:TRICITE T) "A LOOSE ROWDY to . • 1114111144kilk COMEDY" Entertainment Aug. 25 & 26 TIFFINS