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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-11-18, Page 31Entertainment THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1987. PAGE 31. Award-winning play comes to Blyth Theatre Review McClure : a story of a hero BY KEITH ROULSTON It’s ironic that while so much attention has been paid to one Canadian doctor who spent a few years in China (and died on the job), Dr, Norman Bethune, anoth­ er Canadian, Dr, Robert McClure has gone relatively unnoticed for his many years of service in the country. Dr. McClure lived an almost incredible life for 25 years in China through riots and civil war and invasion and met not only Bethune but Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Tse-Tung and many of the war­ lords of the country. He helped the poor, travelled all over the great country, got back to Canada several times, fell in love, married and had four children, studied in Scotland and generally had the kind of life that spectacular rhovies Blyth Festival Singers celebrate Christmas Did you miss the men of the Blyth Festival Singers parading a boar’s head around Memorial Hall at last year’s concert? Well, here’s a second chance - to listen to, participate in, and enjoy not only the Boar’s Head carol but the many varied sides of the Blyth Festival Singers’ annual Christmas con­ cert. The boar’s head certainly was a hit the choir wants to repeat, said a choir spokesperson but so too was the children’s choir from Exeter Public School, under the direction of Joan Perrie and we are pleased to have them perform with us again this year. The choir, under the direction of Angus Sinclair, will perform many unfamiliar seasonal pieces, both sacred and secular, as well as a number of selections new to our audience. The monotone angel, Musicfest unites bands On Friday, Nov. 13 Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton hosted the first Musicfest, involv­ ing four concert bands from Huron County Secondary Schools - F.E. Madill in Wingham, Goderich District Collegiate Institute, South Huron S.S. in Exeter and Central Huron in Clinton. Thestudentmusiciansenjoyed a busy day of practising and per­ forming, not to mention several other activities such as a volleyball game. In the evening the bands presented a concert for the general public. The auditorium was full to overflowing with even the standing room spaces filled. Each school band presented several numbers from their own repertoire. Huron County is very fortunate to have four very qualified band conductors. They include John Matthews from Wingham, Al Mullin from Goderich, Robert Robilliard from Exeter and Hugh McGregor from Clinton. Master of Cere monies for the evening, Mr. Arnold Mathers, superintendent of program for Huron County Board of Education then invited the bands to join together to form a 128-member group under the direction of the guest con du ctor for the day Mr.. Brian Strachan, currently Associ­ can be made of. To tell such a sprawling story on stage, with atouringshow on top of that, is a challenge. To do it with one actor is even more daunting. The Theatre Aquarius production of McClure which played at Blyth Memorial Hall for two performan­ ces on Saturday isn’t so memorable it will prevent someone from making a movie in the future but Stephen Black does manage to give an entertaining idea of the life of this great Canadian. With only a Chinese sculpture, some set decorations that play everything from hills to chairs, and an ancient bicycle. Black set out to tell the huge story. He captures the self-depreciating, often-worldly humour of the surgeon missionary in a way that makes you wish you could sit down andtalkwiththe man. While this McClure seems to still struggling to achieve angelic perfection, will join the choir again this year. And, of course the audience will be expected to participate in the carol sing-a-long. A narrator, a harp, and a brass ensemble will complete what promises to be a most enjoyable concert. ‘ ‘The Festival Singers concert is always the first event for me in the celebration of Christmas” said Katherine Kaszas, Artistic Direc­ tor of the Blyth Festival, in an interview last December. There will be two concerts, at 3 p.m. or 8 p.m. and the audience is invited tojoin the choir in the lower hall for mulled cider following each performance. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $1.50 for children and can be reserved by contacting choir members or the Festival Box Office at 523-9300 or the Blyth Saga, 523-4331. ate Professor of Fine Arts - Music at Althouse College, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London. As an introduction to the massed band Mr. Strachan commented on the activities of the day, congratu­ lated the students and added that in all his years of directing bands, he had never had such keen co-operation, attention and enthu- siasmashchadfromthisHuron County group. As a result, the quality of music that this group presented was so superior that Mr. Strachan said he had problems keepingdry eyes. Andtobesure he was not exaggerating for the music that followed was absolutely fan­ tastic. The band played: ‘‘Three Folk Miniatures” by Andre Jutras, ‘‘Praeludium” by Gared Spears and ‘‘Raging Thunder” by David Schaffer. An impromptu rendition by the 14 member percussion section was enjoyed by all espe­ cially by the young children, who were invited to stand on their chairs so they could see well. To close the evening Mr. Strachan suggested the audience listen ratherthan sing while the band played ”0 Canada”. It proved to be a very moving ending for this wonderful Instrumental Music Festival. It is the hope of all that his Huron Musicfest will become an annual event. poke fun at the church that sent him to China as much a$ at the strange happeningaround him, wealso see thededication, the passion, he had for helping these people around himtolive healthier, happier lives. We see how that dedication endangered his family and, during the war years, left him apart from them for years on end. The life for hiswifeathomeinCanadamust have been as difficult as for him. It takes a special kind of actor to carry off a one man show. Stephen Black may not be up there with some of the actors who have dominated in one-actor shows at Blyth over the years like Ted Johns in The School Show, Linda Griffiths in Maggie and Pierre and Erie Peterson in Billy Bishop but he kept the audience involved throughout the night and at the end many were on their feet to give him a standing ovation. This national tour will entertain people and give them a little more knowledge of a Canadian who deserves to be held up as an example of the best kind of human being. Who can ask for more. ALLAN AND BETTY McCALL Love Your Family November20 THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. Blyth Inn EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 Blyth Festival Singers present 'Christmas in the Village" Memorial Hall Sunday, November29 3p.m.and8p.m. Tickets: $5.00 & $1.50 Phone 523-9300 Guestchoir: ExeterPublicSchool “Morgan’s Journey”, the 1986 runner-up for the prestigious Chalmers Award, will be perform­ ed at Blyth Memorial Hall on Saturday, Novembet 21 at 2 p.m. Morgan’s Journey was created by playwrights Robert Morgan and David Craig who have both made invaluable contributions to theatre foryoung audiences in Canada. Festival supporters will remember their production of “Book Of Miracles” performed by the Blyth Festival Young Company in 1984. David also authored and directed an adaptation of “Cue For Trea­ son” for the Festival’s Young Company which was subsequently produced at Young People's Thea­ tre in Toronto. Robert Morgan, who also stars presents Morgan's Journey a children’s matinee starring Robert Morgan Saturday, 2:<>o P.m. November 21 523-9300 Blyth Memorial Hall STARTS FRI. AT THE Her life hasn't been the same since her death. SHELLEY LONG HELLO AGAIN GONE TODAY. HERE TOMORROW. (kr.4x.wd t>» lUlMi <69 «IU«S OM tllUUOh ©198/ BUIM.611 Wolf'.U'JtlBlJllO’. FRI. & SAT. AT 7 & 9 SUN. - Like Father Like Son ENDS THURSDAY, H* FAMILY ft at7:00and9:00p.m ■ Sunday toThursday ft one show each ™ eveningat The dancing in this flick is as thrilling as any in a decade." I&KBVXYKBAYRB | ■ Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information ■ ft Playing from Friday toThursday, November 20 to 26^ ■ Showtimes: Friday and Saturday COMING NOV, 25th YOUR CONSERVATION NEWSPAPER!! Valleys & People Watch for it to be delivered with your regular weekly newspaper. DON'T MISS IT! in this one-man show, has appear­ ed in leading roles in over 20 productions directed 10 others and written 13 plays, all of which have been professionally produced by theatres across Canada. Morgan’s Journey is a magical play for children and family audiences about Morgan the Clown’s travels through life’s adventures and discoveries. To­ gether we celebrate Morgan’s birthday and share in his delight as he opens his many presents including Fred, a trickster sock puppet who becomes his friend. Tickets for Morgan’s Journey are $4.50. To reserve or inquire, phone the Blyth Festival Box Office at 523-9300/9225. .niynrrnpm GODERICH (524-7811 & I X ft I ft ft