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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-06-27, Page 26PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1990. Entertainment Canada Day marked at Ag. Museum Theatre review ‘A Field of Flowers’ compelling BY BONNIE GROPP “A Field of Flowers” which premiered at Blyth Festival last Wednesday is a compelling story full of emotional impact and laced with humour. Written by Laurie Fyffe, the play is an intricately woven story of past, present and future that is easy to follow without being inane. Billed as a mystery the play has been spiced with comedy that director Peter Smith emphasizes throughout. The effect is entertaining with a little bit of everything and not too much of anything. The story is based on Alice Staples, a young girl in the 30’s, who, when it is discovered she is with child, is whisked away by her parents to a training school in rural Ontario. The plot unfolds as she and her friend from Victoria School kidnap the child she believes was taken from her at birth. Shawna Lori Burnett does a good job as the innocent Alice, a girl stunned and disbelieving at the turn her life has taken; whose naivete fades as life’s realities strike her. Her friend Gillian, a girl who has met life’s many blows head on, and survived, is the perfect foil for the quiet Alice. Played by Cheryl Swarts, Gillian sees the world in black and white and takes very little of it seriously. When common sense and quick wit won’t help, she turns her back and walks away. Alice’s father Arthur Staples is played by Jerry Franken, who has returned for his fourth season in Blyth. Staples is a man who can not deal with the pain directly so removes it from his sight. Misguid­ ed, he feels that he did the best thing for his daughter, because it was the only thing he could do. Katia de Pena as Beatrice Bel­ laire is cooi and practical, the voice of reason amidst the misguided. Only concern for Gillian and Alice breaks through her reserve. Lynn Woodman is Lucy Thor- burn, the headmistress of Victoria School, and Paul Haddad, plays Dr. Franklin King, the man responsible for the baby market who along with his wife adopts Alice’s baby. Emily King is played by lovely newcomer Marion Adler, while Martin Julien is Miller Crane, Gillian’s romantic interest. The cast of this production is strong, the set design simple and effective. Mr. Smith’s direction keeps the production moving quick­ ly despite several changes. The interesting part of ‘ Field of Flowers is that while the story centres on Alice and her baby they are not the central figures. It is more the person of Gillian that has centre stage, as she narrates the story, counsels her friend and unfolds the past. Workshopped in Blyth this past December, A Field of Flowers has gone through many evolutions bringing it to the production now on the Blyth stage. It could very well be the surprise hit of the season. Take a trip through time at the Ontario Agricultural Museum to celebrate Canada Day on Sunday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE for this special event. There will be activities and entertainment for time-travellers of all ages. Children will delight in a puppet presentation by the “Cran- kee Consort”, a puppet workshop, wagon rides, as well as the museum’s farm animals. Bring your own kite to fly over the expansive grass areas, or kindle the spirit of the past by participat­ ing in organized 19th Century games. Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of a country church service, at 11 a.m. in the restored church. Visi­ tors can pack a picnic lunch, or eat in the “country style” restaurant - but should save room to indulge in fresh strawbery shortcake, during the afternoon’s strawberry social. WANTADS WORK ALL THE TIME! ( ARE YOU UP FOR IT?!? AT THE BRUSSELS HOTEL FUNFEST CHALLENGE PART II We want you and 5 other teammates [minimum 2 ladies] to join us on Saturday, July 7 at 2:30 p.m. to test your skill at some wild and crazy gamesto determine the Funfest Challenge Champions of 1990. Register your team at the hotel or call 887-9035 for details. FUN & GAMES & PRIZES!!! Forbidden peek ShawnaLori Burnett is Alice Staples, a young woman in search of her baby in the Blyth Festival play ‘ ‘Field of Flowers” written by Laurie Fyffe. Here Marion Adler, as Emily King is sensitive to the feelings of the young Alice and lets her look at the child she believes to be hers. ENTER THE BRUSSELS«MORRIS«GREY FUNFEST PARADE SAT. JULY 7, 1990 COMMENCING AT NOON DUCK RACE 1. Best Fun Fest Float $75-50-25 2. Best Cartoon Character 20-15-10 3. Best Organization 20-15-10 4. Best Commercial 20-15-10 5. BestClown 20-15-10 6. BestComical 20-15-10 7. Best Children’s Float 20-15-10 8. Best Dressed Couple 20-15-10 9. Best Horse Drawn Float 20-15-10 All decorated bicycles will receive a loony All participants please register at the old fairgrounds or call Karen Hastings 887-6983 CLIP & BRING THIS ENTRY TO THE OLD FAIRGROUNDS PARADE ENTRY NAME ........................... ................................ CATEGORY .................................................... ENTER THE B. M. & G. FUNFEST WATER SPORTS REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS AT 12:30 P.M. AT THE DAM CANOE RACES 1:00 P.M. Rules: 1] Must be regular canoe 2] Canoe cannot be motorized 3] Only two people per canoe 4] Canoe can only be powered by canoe paddles Entry fee of $5.00 per canoe per event 1] Men’s Division 2] Women’s Division 3] Mixed Division BATHTUB RACES 2:00 P.M. Rules: 1] Craft must have one regular household bathtub 2] No more than two persons per tub 3] Bathtub must touch water 4] Bathtub cannot be motorized 5] Bathtub can only be powered by canoe paddles [no rowboat oars or anything else] 6] Bathtub cannot have streamlined front or rear panels 1] Men’s Division 2] Women’s Division 3] Mixed Division ENTRY FEE $5 PER TUB PER EVENT LOG ROLLING 2:00 P.M. SPONSORED BY BRUSSELS OPTIMIST CLUB