The Citizen, 1989-06-28, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989.
Caravan Theatre coming
to Blyth, horses and all
Confrontation
Michelle Fisk and Kevin Bundy face off in James Reaney’s “Sticksand Stones-The Donnellys (Part
1)’’. The saga of the famous Lucan family who were brutally murdered shortly after midnight of
February 4, 1880 is playing at the Blyth Festival until August 26.
Theatre review
‘Sticks’ first act too confusing for reviewer
BY BONNIE GROPP
Though the legend of Lucan’s
Donnelly clan has fascinated audi
ences for years, James Reaney’s
Sticks and Stones, which opened
last Wednesday evening in Blyth is
not going to appeal to everyone.
The play is a complicated ac
count of the tale surrounding the
Donnellys and their brutal murder
on February 4, 1880, and appears
more as a series of vignettes than
an ongoing story.
While the script was certainly
interesting it proved a little too
artsy for my tastes. Act one, in
particular, was so fast-paced and
inconsistent 1 was tired just trying
to figure out what was going on.
Huron County libraries
plan special reading
programs for summer
A number of Branch Libraries in
Huron County are participating in
the 1989 Summer Reading Pro
gram. The theme for this year’s
program is “Eureka”. The pro
gram consists of suggested read
ings in themes of science, inven
tions and magic. Colouring sheets,
certificates, balloons and book
marks will be offered for children
who complete the program.
Suggested readings cover child
ren from grade 4 up to grade 8. For
the vounger children in grades 4 to
6 suggested readings include such
favourites Gordon Penrose’s
“Dr. Zed’s Da.-ling Books of
Science Activities”, Williams,
hit series “Danny Denn and the
Anti-Gravity Paint” and Diane
Sylvester’s “Investions, Rou^+s,
Future.”
For the older children in grades 7
and 8, suggested readings include
Vicki Cobb’s “More Science Exper
iments You Can Eat” and Profes
sor Kurius’s “The Super Science
Anyone who is not completely
familiar with the Donnelly saga,
would indeed be lost.
The second and third acts were a
little less taxing on the thought
processes but left me wanting
something more. In his story, Mr.
Reaney dealt more in events than
in character development and con
sidering the interesting family he
was using as subject matter, I felt
that he could have given us a little
more insight into the psyche of at
least a few of the family members.
Also his portrayal of the Black
Donnellys is unlike anything I have
ever heard or read before. Perhaps
his depiction of them as normal
God-fearing people is more accur
ate, but always thought of them as
Discovery Book”. These are just a
few suggestions to hook you on
reading at your local branch li
brary.
Each branch will present the
summer reading program some
what uniquely to fit their size and
clientele. Participating branches in
Huron County are Auburn, Bay-
field, Blyth, Brussels, Centralia,
Clinton, Exeter, Fordwich, God
erich, Gorrie, Hensail, Kirkton,
Seaforth, Wingham and Zurich.
Many of these branches will offer a
special program to tie in with the
Science theme. These include a
Balloon workshop and the Dr. Zed
show.
“Eureka” promises to be a lot of
fun. Don’t miss out on this oppor
tunity to take your child to the
library and discover the exciting
mixture of books and science. This
summer’s program is especially
helpful for those school science
projects parents and kids love to
do.
somewhat more colourful.
Yet, the play provides many
highlights as well. The action was
true to the era and exciting to
watch. K. Reed Needles, the fight
director choreographed some be
lievably brutal moments. Director
Terry Tweed provided a loud
boisterous atmosphere and kept
the scenes flowing quickly. There
were intense moments that eased
smoothly into light-hearted ex
changes.
Cast members were each requir
ed to play several characters
throughout. It was a demanding
test and the majority of them
passed with honours. The play also
demanded much of them physically
as it was a very high energy
production and they met the chal
lenge magnificently.
There were some really memor
able moments, particularly the one
where Mrs. Donnelly, played by
newcomer to Blyth, Michele Fisk,
speaks on her husband’s behalf,
and when Melissa Bell, another
newcomer, as Jenny Donnelly de
scribes her guilt at not having died
with their parents.
Composer Michael Taylor pro
vided a score that was reminiscent
of the Irish background of the
ATTENTION
KIDS
GET YOUR CARS
READYFORTHE
FUNFEST
SOAP BOX
DERBY
SAT., JULY8TH 3P.M.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT
DON BRAY887-9474
The Caravan Stage Company,
North America’s only horse-drawn
travelling theatre is coming to
Blyth.
The internationally acclaimed
troupe will give two presentations
of “Harvest”, by award-winning
Canadian playwright Carol Bolt, on
July 23 and July 24 at 9 p.m. in
Blyth Lions Park. These perfor
mances mark the beginning of a
seven week tour that includes
Penetanguishene, Barrie, Hamil
ton and Kingston among others.
The two performances in Blyth are
sponsored by the Blyth Festival.
Advance tickets are Adults - $10
and Youth - $5 and at the door
Adults - $12 and Youth - $6.
A highlight for any community,
the Caravan entourage consists of
four hand-crafted wagons pulled by
ten magnificent Clydesdale horses,
all escorted by five mounted out
riders. Look for their eye-catching
“Cosmodrome” tent when it goes
up in Lion’s Park in Blyth.
This season the Caravan has
produced a colourful piece of
musical theatre. Set in the near
future, “Harvest” blends music,
masks and technical wizardry to
give us a satirical look at the New
Age and futuristic medicine. With
14 original songs composed by
Donnellys and the Lucan residents
and of the period during whence
they lived.
While Sticks and Stones was not
to my liking, I believe that Kather
ine Kaszas made an excellent
selection. The two plays that have
presently opened at the Blyth
Festival are completely diverse in
presentation, mood, and concept.
As a good season schedule must
provide variety to appeal to every
one, Ms. Kaszas has most assured
ly accomplished that.
Perhaps if I had more back
ground in the theatre, I would have
understood some of the things in
the play that disturbed me. And
though my experience is limited, I
know enough to recognize that, for
some Sticks and Stones is excellent
theatre, but I would not recom
mend it to anyone who is attending
a production for the first time or to
those whose tastes are a little
lighter.
BRUSSELS LEGION
DONATIONS
FOR THE YEAR MAY 1/88 - MAY 1/89
FROM ITS NEVADA LOTTERY.
Wingham and District Hospital
Foundation $ 100.00
Crime Stoppers 50.00
Ethel Women's Institute-
Playground Equipment 200.00
Family and Children's
Services 115.00
Brussels Public School 162.26
BrusselsQueenof the Fair 25.00
Brussels Santa Claus
Parade 350.00
Brussels Junior “D" Bulls 115.00’
Brussels Peewees 100.00
Survival Through Friendship
House 25.00
Town & Country
Homemakers 25.00
FireVictim 250.00
Ted Foster
Memorial Christmas 20.00
WindsorClassicGames 100.00
Michael Patterson and Chris Snell,
this play has something for people
of all ages. Carvan Stage Company
Founder and Artistic Director, Paul
Kirby, will direct the cast of seven
multi-talented, professional actors:
Dean Bradshaw, Patrick Bradshaw,
Dan Delabbio, Robert Nasmith,
Tracey Wilkinson, Patricia Wil
liams and Rossanne Ziebart. Pre
pare to enter the New Harvest
Institute where dreams are com
modities, illusions are spectacular,
and reality is the union between
high tech and the human spirit.
Since its inception in 1970, the
Caravan Stage has travelled
throughout British Columbia, Al
berta, Washington, Oregon and
California, with performances ven
ues ranging from major centres to
ghost towns. In 1987, the group
decided to relocate on Wolfe Island
near Kingston, embarking on new
tours of Eastern Canada and the
United States. Described as a
“national treasure” by former
Canada Council Director, Timothy
Porteous, the company continues to
thrill audiences with its unique
brand of incisive, contemporary
summer theatre.
INVITATION
TO A
PUBLIC MEETING
of
Huron County Access to
Housing Committee
TUESDAY, JULY 4th, 1989
7:30 p.m.
Huron County Museum
110 North Street
Goderich, Ont.
—Wheelchair Accessible—
Please come out and provide us
with your valuable input!
Transportation from anywhere in
the County available, telephone
1-800-265-5506 or 524-5333.
and surrounding area for your
support this past year
From
1st Brussels Beavers,
Wolf Cubs, BoyScouts
SEE YOU IN THE AUTUMN
(Please save
your EMA tapes)E
Children's Hospital of
Western Ontario 45.00
Public Speaking 317.67
Heart & Stroke Foundation
of Ontario 45.00
Military Police Blind
Christmas Fund 25.00
Easter Seals 25.00
Brussels Optimists 40.00
Parkwood Hospital 500.00
Charitable Foundation 500.00
Cancer Society 45.00
Brussels Startlettes 500.00
Brussels Figure Skating
Club 1,000.00
Brussels Minor Hockey 1,000.00
Cystic Fibrosis 100.00
Brussels Basket 200.00
1st BrusselsCubs 200.00
Salvation Army 45.00
TOTAL $6,224.93