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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1981-07-08, Page 7' Katie [Kate Trotter] and Jake "Keith -Thomas] provlde the this area, was especially written for tbe featival by Anne romintk interest in the myth Festival's production of ()filet • Chislett. A warm compassionate Insight into the Amish hi'the Land. The play; hispired by the Amish community In way of life,. 'the play madames midi jelly 25 • • The Blyth Summer Festival has kept alive the tradition of ' opening its seasonwith a hit. Quiet in the Land which opened the Festival Friday evening is excellent; • The production preserves the Blyth tradition of presenting original Canad- ian plays and this production written by Anne Chislett is also a premiette. Commiisioned for Blyth , by artistic director, Janet Amos, the play rakes ' its inspiration from the. Old Order Amish communities that still exist in this part of Ontario. In the -Blyth tradition of The Farm Show and St. Sam of the Nuke Pile, the play is written about people who live in the • communities near Blyth who will make the viewing audience, although the • Amish living in St Helens and Dungannon will probably never see the play. • Tradition Is Theme Tradition is a central theme to the play. It is adherence to tradition that sets the Amish community apart and guarantees its survival. Set in 1919 at the time of the first World War, the play's conflict arises because the Amish religion forbids its mem- bets to fight or to be a member of an army. The Military Service Act of 1873, exempts the Amish from military service, however there are many disputes about its interpretation, es- pecially the question of church mem- bership since the Amish believe in adult baptism. The play is tightly 'written; there isn't an 'extraneous word. This too reflects the Amish lifestyle. Close knit cominunity life and the close family relationships rnean the survival of the community in today's society. Chislett has captured the warm sense of hurnour which is character- istic of the Amish people who are often mistaken as a sour lot. This probably stems from their shyness and their resentment of curious tourists who treat them as a tourist attraction. The play centres on two relations ships, the father -son relationship between the community's bishop and his son who °leaves the Amish ' corns munity to join Canada's army, turning his back on family and lifestyle. The son's relationship with a young woman in the community is also central to the conflict in the play as she • refuses toleave the community with him because she knows it is where she belongs. He leaves her behind be- , cause he can't belong. • Creates A Split • David Fox as Christie gives a fine performance as the stern unrelenting • bishop who refuses to permit his -church to change even when it means creating a split between the reformers and traditionalists in his congregation. His inability to change also creates the • split between father and son which results in Jake, (Keith Thomas) leaving, home. Th ' performancethe b I lions son is believable without being overdone. His relationship with Katie, (Kate Trotter) is touching and provid- es an insight into the struggle. A touching scene between the two young lovers is symbolic of the conflict. Jake askes Kate if she really believes keeping her head covered will guarantee her a place in heaven. He removes her bonnet allowing her hair to fall into his hands, leading to their first kiss. Kate pulls back replacing the bonnet She can't quite give up her • beliefs, even for her lover and refuses to. Ulow when he eventually leaves the community. She Marries a fine upstanding young Amish man, whom she doesn't love, because she knows she belongs in the community and could not survive if she left, Janet Amos as Lydia and Sam Robinson as Zepp provide a glimpse of the Amish sense of humour so rarely seen to those outside the tommunity, They also exemplify the role of compromise which goes a Ing way to permitting the survival of the community's way of life. Zepp works not only to appease the officials who want to conscript the Amish but also to smooth •out the 'conflict between bishop and Congrega- tion, attempting to reach a comprom- - • . • ise between the bishop and the reformers• . - Zepp's hearty laugh •creates a recognizable characteristic as does Lydia's naivete which' provides comic relief and a dimension to her charac- ter. The play moves back and forth • rapidly between • scene, changes achieved by building the entire set on a platform set on rollers which is then turned on the stage. Adhering' to the Amish way' of refraining from the use of technology, two stage hands •dressed as Amish boys turn the set by pulling it with a rope. The first time such a set has been • used in Blyth, it works very well permitting smooth scene changes. Faithful Presentation The play is a faithful presentation of the Amish way of life. Costume designer Kerry Jackett has faithfully created Amish dress including the white bonnet worn by the women at all times and the straw hats Worn by the boys and the dark colour predominat- ing all clothing. The set i faithful including the white clapboard build- ings and the replica of Amish kitchens detailed to the.blinds on the windows. • Anne Chislett has done her research' well. The opening scene shows the white clapboard exterior of the church • and the audience only hears a baptism being conducted inside. The Amish Mennonite communities are well known for refusing to allow outsiders into their churches. She also deals- with the desire to have things not pczmitted by the faith. Lydia wants a piano and a telephone, • but she describes how it isn't d deep inside want like love, just something you might like, The play is a warm, humorous and understanding look at the Amish people and their lifestyle. For anyone living in this area it will provide an insight to why they choose to live the way they do. Quiet in the Land plays in repertory with Love or Money until July 25 and are joined by The 'Tomorrow Box on July 28 and Fire on Ice on August 4. • • 4 lacknow Sentinel, Wedoemday, J* 8, 11 P..7 ".. . 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