Village Squire, 1973-06, Page 7"People have been
enormously receptive"
dissimilar to this. It was located in
the States. I worked there for about
four seasons and it seemed to me such
a good theatre. I've stolen a lot of its
ideas and tried to adapt those ideas I
could here."
But how does professional theatre fit
in in a rural community? Just fine, he
says. There was an initial shyness, he
says but the people have been enormo-
usly receptive to the idea.
Let's face it, this theatre is in a tou-
rist area and they realize that it can
help attract tourists. But I think it
goes deeper than that. It's something
permenant that goes on year after year.
In resort areas there are always the
stands that open up and close down in
the winter. But here the people went
on talking about the theatre in the
winter and helped us raise money.
And the fact that we've used so many
local workers through the LIP grant
helps. We've tried to get the old barn
framers and craftsmen involved in fix-
ing the barn."
Many of the people involved in the
theatre are big names locally. An
honorary member of the board of trust-
ees is Charles MacNaughton, former
Huron M. P.P. and treasurer of the
province. Members of the board incl-
ude Mrs. Peter Ivey, wife of the Lon-
don millionaire who is changing the
face of Benmiller; Bill Cochrane and
Bruce Sully of Goderich; Robert South-
cott and Ben Tuckey of Exeter and E.
Beecher Menzies of Clinton.
Mr. Murphy would like to see the
scope of the theatre enlarged, how-
ever.
"We're located at Grand Bend," he
says, "but I've never thought of it as
just a local project. I don't think it
has geographical limits."
He is also trying to get people in
the theatre habit by starting with chil-
dren. The theatre will have a group
of students providing children's prod-
uctions in the area this summer.
Somehow, though, as we sit on a log
and listen to the birds sing, it takes a
lot of imagination to encompass the
scope of Jim Murphy's plans. But then
Jim Murphy has a lot of imagination.
Enjoy our earl
I /I"
y � Cana•ian atmosphere as
� !
you browse amongst o wide selection of handcrafted
ted
items, both native and imported; works of art, greet-
ing cards, decorator accessories, and home -style
candies.
Choose a gift for that special occasion, have it individ-
ually wrapped, and select a special greeting card to comp-
liment it.
Bring in that favourite photograph or print you were
always going to have framed and make your selection for
its setting.
Are you looking for ideas to dress up that piece of bric-
a-brac you picked up? We'll offer you design suggestions
and complete it for you too.
We're open daily, except Sunday, from 10 a. m. to 9
p. m. through July and August at 14 King Street, on The
Triangle in the centre of Clinton.
ittle
Make Herman's
in C I in ton
your shopping
centre for
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A complete
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NEAMAN'S
MEN'S EAR
32 Albert St., Clinton
Phone 482-9351
OPEN FRIDAY 10 9:00 P. M.
7