Village Squire, 1980-06, Page 8lighting and sound, but underlined the
feelings of energy, determination and sheer
fun emanated from the cast. Phrases like
"High-energy," bubbles with energy,"
and "a breath of fresh air" were used the
next day to describe the Stratford Musical
Theatre's opening night performance.
"The energy and the rest of it comes out
of knowing what they're doing on stage so
they can have fun," said Mr, Storms,
reflecting on the Godspell performance.
"We try to make it socially fun and
people become almost like a family," he
added.
Mr. Finan, who has a special certificate
in theatre from the Ministry of Education,
said he feels because both he and Mr.
Storms are teachers, they are better able to
instill confidence in their cast members.
In deciding upon a script for production,
Mr. Finan said the biggest factor is being
limited to the confines of the city hall
auditorium. The stage, which had been
extended by six feet for the Godspell
production, has only one stage entrance,
and no fly space (used to lift and move
actors and backdrops.)
He said that technical knowledge and
support from people at the festival theatre
helped them jump a few technical hurdles
with the city hall stage.
LUCKY TO HAVE THEM
"We are very lucky to have the festival
people next door," said Mr. Finan.
He said they had been extremely
supportive throughout the troupe's first
production.
"One of the nicest things that hap-
pened", said Mr. Finan, two actors from
the festival came back stage after Godspell
to mention how much fun they thought the
show was."
Mr. Finan said that because of all
the time put into present musical theatre
productions, he hasn't given too much
thought to the company's future. However,
he mentioned that the possibility of
developing a winter theatre in Stratford.
when the town practically closes down,
would be like a dream.
Mr. Finan said he would like to
eventually have community members
direct productions, but at the moment, he
would like to keep the theatre company
small.
"If we keep going with small, short runs
and keep giving the people of Stratford a
good product that they can be proud of, we
might be able to do it," he said.
To date, the musical theatre has been
entirely funded by Mr. Storms; however,
he said he hasn't yet seen a loss.
Mr. Finan, who will play the lead in the
troupe's latest productionThe Fantasticks,
written by Tom Jones, said financially,
they are happy with the way things are. No
matter what happens, this ambititious pair
can say they did it on their own.
PG. 8 VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1980
Some
mighty fine
campgrounds
The first of a two part series
on good places to camp
in Southwestern Ontario.
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
Suffering the summer doldrums? Do
yon dream of lying on the golden beaches
edging Lake Huron or of discovering
nature in a hike through the woods? Well,
Huron and Perth counties boast some of
the finest parks and campgrounds in
Ontario, both publicly and privately -
owned. Why. not escape the doldrums by
discovering the joys of outdoor living at one
of these areas.
WILDWOOD CONSERVATION AREA
Upper Thames River Conservation
Authority maintains three parks-Pittock at
Woodstock, Fanshawe at London and
Wildwood, five kilometres east of St.
Marys on Highway 7. Bob Sutherland is
Perth district superintendent, Teresa
Hollingsworth is summer recreation
supervisor.
Wildwood has 450 sites including over-
flow, 250 have electricity. Three group
camping areas are also provided, and each
has a shelter with hydro and water. A
designated number of sites are available
for singles. Reservations are taken only for
the shelters for large groups.
Facilities include flush toilets, showers,
firepits, store, propane, firewood, shelter,
supervised beach, marina and launch for
motorboats, sailboats, canoes and row-
boats. Rates vary from year to year. In
1980, a campsite without hydro costs $6 per
day, $7 with hydro; a car and motorboat
pass is $4.50 per day. Camping season
runs from May 1 to Thanksgiving.
Wildwood Lake, 53/4 miles long, is
excellent for swimming, boating, fishing
and water skiing. The beach stretches 500
feet and has two picnic shelters. Boat area
is 3'/2 miles long. Fishermen are most
likely to catch perch, bass and some trout
in the lake.
Some families use the park as a summer
home with husbands or wives driving to
work in Stratford, London, St. Marys or
Ingersoll. In June, busloads of students
from the States will arrive on class trips,
and in August, youngsters from Ohio and
Michigan will camp at Wildwood while
attending the nearby Tkaczuk Hockey
School.
This is the second year of an organized
recreation program at Wildwood. Operat-
ing daily from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. its main
idea is "to keep kids busy." Recreation
will include softball, volleyball, frisbee,
soccer, crafts, mini -Olympics and a play-
ground. On weekend evenings. dances,
movies and bingos will be held. Long and
short hikes through the Dr. Murray Forest.
north of the campgrounds will help
children learn about streams and vegeta-
tion.
A new project for Visitor Services this
year is tours of Wildwood Dam in June.
Tours will be offered to the general public
each Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and
local schools and groups will be able to
book tours during the week. Visitors will
learn about flood control, erosion control,
land use and the Upper Thames Water-
shed.
Wildwood Conservation Area offers a
learning experience aside from usual
camping activities.