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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-08-03, Page 3A favorite with By Rob Bundy Fires in the Night, which opened last Wednesday evening at the Blyth Festival, is destined to be a favorite with local history buffs. The play was written especially for Blyth by David S. Craig about the famous "School on Wheels" operated by Fred and Cela Sloman of Clinton. Craig was given a tremendous task - to telescope almost 40 years of Sloman's life as a teacher in remote areas of northern Ontario into a two-hour play. Despite a very few moments in the production where the audience may have wanted to see a lit- tle more development in a scene, the playwright did an admirable job. "It was a difficult piece to write," said Craig in an interview prior to the opening. "The process of compressing 40 years of a couple's life into two hours on stage and do it justice is not an easy task. But I think it's a pretty good play." There were a number of interesting moments during the opening of Fires in the Night, not the least of which was the fact that Cela Sloman herself was in the front row. She sat delighted while watching herself portrayed on stage by Carol Sinclair. Another fact that earns Fires in the Night top marks was the brilliant perfor- mances turned in by the children who make up a large part of the cast. Director Jerry Franken has obviously spent a great deal of time and effort coaching the young members of the cast as their timing and reactions were highlights of the show. Giving his gift Fred Sloman was one of the very first teachers to be chosen to take education to the thousands of children isolated in the north. Fred and Cela rode, lived and work- ed in converted CNR dining car from 1926 until their retirement in 1965. In Fires in the Night, John Koensgen portrays Fred Sloman as a gentle, thoughtful man who's greatest talent is sharing his gift to wonder why. We see the couple get there first taste of isolation, which is among the best scenes in the pro- duction, and watch as their fears and hopes turn to strength and determination by the end of the evening. Other `stand out' scenes include the ac- tual lessons which show the vast talent Fred Sloman had for teaching as well as shining the spotlight on the youngsters who handled the opening night pressures like seasoned pros. If there was a weak spot in the produc- tion it would be the less than enthusiastic singing which was used to tie the many scenes together. The coral work was' also handled by the young members of the cast but could have used a strong, more sure voice to effectively complete the transition while maintaining our interest. Fires in the Night is an impressive work. It pays tribute to a piece of local history that deserves attention. It chronicles one man's search for his own truth while he shares that truth, with his students. While Fred Sloman himself is no longer with us, his memory and that of his unique abilities and determination lives on in Fires of the Night. The fire which burns in the night in one of the later scenes in the play, also burns in the heart of Fred Slor an as he gave of himself to bring education to thousands of students over the years. It is obvious that both Koensgen and Sinclair researched their roles well as their performances bring to the stage some touching moments. While Fires in the Night is not the most dramatic you'll see at Blyth this season, it will certainly be a hit with local audiences and for good reason. Festival patrons planning to see the pro- duction are urged to. visit the `School on Wheels', the replica of the rail car used by the Slomans, in Clinton. HELP KEEP RED CROSS lir READY! Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 3,1988—Page 3 history buffs John Koensgen, as Fred Sloman, and Carol Sinclair as his wile, Cela, turned in well researched performances in the Blyth Festival's production of Fires in the Night. The play, which tells the story of the famous School on Wheels located in Clinton, opened at Blyth last week and will get top marks with, local history buffs. cgi4iwn Lig R.R. 2 Lucknow 529-7247 1 mile south of Lucknow, Huron Co. Rd. 1 Sale July 27 - Aug. 20 Cash & Carry, In -Stock Items Only 25% OFF - in -stock patio Furniture and Accessories 25% OFF - Junipers - Flowering Crabapples - Ornamental Standards - Blue Spruce - Fruit Trees 50% OFF - Golden Cedar - Selected Deciduous Shrubs - Clematis Vines Hours: Mon. -Sat. 8-5 Closed Sunday David Just Thrned 12. His Parents Want Tb See Him Thrzl3.H. So they took time to talk with David about drugs. They realize that in today's world he has probably been approached by someone attempting to lure him to start using uppers or maybe something even more dangerous. They told David what drugs can do and how they can affect his future chances of 'laving a productive life. Now he can make the right decision if he's ever confronted with it. So why wait until tomorrow to talk to your children. Talk with them today. This message brought to you by your Community Minded Newspaper