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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1988-07-06, Page 23Entertainment r A history-making visit took place last week when the entire cast and crew of the Blyth Festival’s final play of the season, “Fires in the Night”, travelled to Clinton’s historic SchooI-on-Wheels to meet Cela Sloman, whose life story, along with that of her late husband Fred’s, is told as the new play unfolds their 40 years on the travelling school in northern Ontario. Mrs. Sloman was especially delighted with the children who will star in the play, seen with her above. Seated, from left, are Sarah Johnston of RR 2, Seaforth; Earl Thomson of RR 1, Auburn; Wesley Huizinga of RR 1, Blyth; [kneeling] Jerrod Button of Blyth; Marie CronynofRR2,Blyth; Wendy Thompson of Goderich; Ben Thomson of RR 1, Auburn; [standing] Jeremy Henry and Therese Bressette, both of Kettle Point; and Michael Cronyn of RR 2, Blyth. Fires in the Night opens on July 27. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6. 1988. PAGE 23. GOOD TIMES Festival seeks mail order brides Continued from page 22 spells well; her grammar is good, means a good education” or “Sounds like a sensible woman” were reasons enough to encourage correspondence and exchanges of more personal details. Still it was ”... harder than picking a new coyote rifle out of the Eaton’s catalogue...” The new bride finally arrives and the eagerly awaiting husband describes, ‘ ‘Mary as small, not quite as good-looking as her photograph and she might not see 30 again, but she had a nice smile and she wasn’t self-conscious.” The stories of the mail order brides at the turn of the century bring many questions to mind - what about love, sharing, family relationships? What about inti­ macy, small deceits, embellish­ ments and what about the marri­ ages that failed? “The Mail Order Bride” answers some of these questions in an entertaining way and brings to mind others, about relationships eighty years old and also about family relationships today. Blyth Festival is interested in making contact with any Mail Order Brides that are alive today or hearing about mothers, grand­ mothers or aunts who experienced this unusual type of courtship. If you know of anyone who fits this category or if you yourself are a Mail Order Bride, please contact the Blyth Festival P.O. Box 10, Blyth N0M 1H0 or (519) 523-4345 and ask for Publicitv. GOOD FOOD GOOD fl fl BROWNIE'S DRIVE-IN THEATRE CHEER FOR YOUR DANCING OR LISTENING PLEASURE ENTERTAINING THIS WEEK DAVE BELLAIRE AND THE AIRFIELD BAND 4 Great Shows Thurs. 9 - 1 a.m. Fri. 9 - 1 a.m. Sat. 3 - 6 p.m. Sat. 9 - 1 a.m. Charge Cover Popular Festival pair brings 'Lucien' to Blyth stage Who could predict that in 1988 a factory worker, Lucien would be the popular star of a one-man comedy opening at the Blyth Festival tonight. “Lucien,” direc­ ted by Ted Johns, has toured across Canada drawing sold-out crowds from British Columbia to the Maritimes. Lucien stars Ron Gabriel and is written by Marshall Button. This comical character has lots to say about everything - some call him the Archie Bunker of the east coast or a close relation of Charlie Farquharson. In fact, Lucien seems to have an opinion on everything from forest conserva- ion, free trade, technology, unions, religion and politics to sex. Ted Johns is no stranger to the Blyth Festival (star performer and writer of favourite shows such as “The School Show”, “He Won’t Come In From The Barn,” “St. Sam and the Nukes” to “Country Hearts” and “Garrison’s Gar­ age.” I’m looking forward to seeing one of my favourite charac­ ters come to life on the Blyth stage”, says director, Ted Johns. “New Brunswick, where ’i’ve lived with Janet Amos and my family for the last four years, is a small province (population 750,000), 40 per cent of which is French speaking. Much of the province is covered with forests and rivers so the pulp and paper industry has a huge impact. Lucien is a product of that culture. Too french for Nova Scotia, too English for Quebec - he could only come from the north shore of New Brunswick.” Lucien is the type of worker everyoneknows, especially in a factory town. The audience be­ comes Lucien’s helper for the shift - a university student to whom Lucien teaches the way of the world. “You see something you need, just pick it up and bring it home”, says Lucien. “Everybody does it’ ’. Actor Ron Gabriel has been a popular performer at the Blyth Festival for four years now. His previous roles have included ‘Boomer’ in “Country Hearts”, ‘Sam’ in “Drift”, ‘Alf’ in “Polder­ land,” ‘Butter’ in “Blue City” and ‘Bert’ in “Garrison’s Garage”. He is also Associate Artistic Director attheBlythFestivalthis season with responsibilities for youth workshops, playwright workshops and many other administrational duties. “The play originated at Theatre New Brunswick in 1986” said Janet Amos. “When it toured to towns in New Brunswick, it sold out nearly everywhere it went, draw­ ing a record 13,000 people to see it in three weeks. In some places on the north shore of New Brunswick, some people without tickets were offering extra money and scalping tickets for a chance to see Lucien. One of my favorite stores was at a performance lastyear of Lucien when a woman scolded someone in the audience for laughing too loudly. The man in the audience quickly responded saying, ‘don’t tell me to be quiet lady - that’s me I’m laughing at’. I know Blyth audiences, especially the men, will love this play.” Lucien is generously sponsored by Champion Road Machinery with set design by Pat Flood and lighting design by Kevin Fraser. Lucien opens on July 6, 1988 with performances until September 10, 1988. Good seats are still available by calling the Blyth Festival Box Office at (519) 523-9300/9225. 8 & 9 OPENS 8:30 P.M. CLINTON FIRST SHOW AT DUSK 482-7030 FRI. & SAT., JULY DAN AYKROYD JOHN CANDY Outdoors^ — PLUS 2nd FEATURE — “Thumbs up!” '“‘batteries not included’ is cheerful, funny family entertainment.'" *batteries not includedI Don’t miss the fun & prizes for the INDY WEEKEND THURSDAY-FRIDAY- SATURDAY COMING NEXT WEEK SEQUENCE DON’TMISSTHEFUN DELICIOUS HOME COOKED MEALS SERVED 7 DAYS A WEEK FEATURING A WIDE VARIETY OF ENTREES & SNACKS BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR SPECIAL GATHERING GOOD FOOD TO GO AVAILABLE DAILY UNTIL CLOSING. FISH PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 ftBYCE vm YBBAYRB ft ft ft ft ft ft ft Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information HAVE YOU EVER HAD A REALLY BIG SECRET? lbm Hanks Playingfrom Friday to Thursday, July8-14 Showtimes: Fridayand Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m, Sunday to Thursday One show each evening at 8:00p.m. SPARENTAL GUIDANCE ADVItID 1 I ft 1 I 1 1 1 ft BURGER DELUXE $3.25 •PIZZAS •SUBS •BURGERS •SHAKES •ETC. OR TURNBERRYSTREET 887-9035