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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-04-01, Page 19ntertainment THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 , 1992. PAGE 19. Theatre review Dads find the ties that bond BY BONNIE GROPP When you think of Blyth Festival you think of entertainment and any one who attended Dads In Bondage, the third offering in the Fall/ Spring adult series on Sunday night, got their money's worth. The capacity crowd was rolling with laughter, watching the antics of three new fathers, who find themselves suddenly unemployed and at home with baby in this musi cal comedy. The men are very different in background, taste and occupations, yet when baby makes three - or in one case four- they find themselves developing a unique bond built on diapers, pablum and depleting sex drives. Shane McPherson is Joey, a burnt-out Latin teacher on six months leave, and father of twin boys. He appeared in Blyth in November 1990 as Sgt. Edgar Sturgess in the Gryphon Theatre production of A Gift to Last. Michael Rawley was Charles, a white-collar professional married to a lawyer. Shortly after his wife gives birth to a baby girl, his firm declares Charles' position redun dant. A gourmet cook, and over achiever, Charles is quite looking forward to what he sees as another challenge to conquer. He soon dis covers what a challenge a colicky baby can be! Bruce Tubbe, plays macho Kirk, the new father of a little girl, who finds himself laid off from his con struction job. Married to his child hood sweetheart, Kirk tries to come to terms with her getting a job, his not being able to get to the gym and the emergence of his own sen sitivity. The trio and their quartet of pup pet offspring kept everyone in stitches with their ribald humour, energy and lively song and dance. The music they performed was written by Tom Doyle and chore ographed by Barrie Wood, who also directed. Tt was a delightful ft; • i w1’ W? J Grand opening mix ranging from the "Collicky Blues" to a farcical ditty on male hormones. And pulling it all together, in the guises of moderator, three wives and female extras, was Charlotte Moore. Playing against three such talented performers she could quite easily have gotten pushed out of the limelight, but she not only man aged to hold her own, when she opened her mouth and sang, she shone, as was illustrated by the hush that fell over the theatre eacn Festival unveils 1992 season poster The Blyth Festival unveiled today their 1992 season poster which features a painting by Wingham artist, George Agnew Reid (1860-1974). "Our art gallery committee opens the Bainton Gallery this June with a special show, Rural Roots, featuring Reid's paintings," says Jane Gardner, Director of Communications, Blyth Festival. "After looking at many of Reid's wonderful paintings, one in particular caught our eye. "The Story, painted in 1890 depicts Mr. Reid's memories of growing up on a Huron County farm and features a circle of young boys telling dramatic stories to each other. While the Blyth Festival was touring Manitoba, Ms. Gardner visited the Winnipeg Art Gallery, where the painting resides, to get special permission to reproduce this painting on the poster. "With this year being the 125th anniversary of East & West Wawanosh Townships, we're delighted to celebrate the life of this great artist in this special way," she says. The poster is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Blyth Printing Inc., and Howick time she did. And with about five characters to play, she gets points for speedy costume changes, too. What was interesting to note, is after all the rambunctious goings- on, the jokes and innuendoes you realize at the end of the play that there is actually a very meaningful message to this story, as the fathers discover firsthand the joyful rewards of fatherhood. Dads In Bondage is a production of Lighthouse Festival. Mutual Insurance Company. George Agnew Reid was bom in Wingham on July 25, 1860, the third of nine children. A contemporary of Paul Peel, Reid is one of Canada's best known artists and art educators. He was the first Principal of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto (1912-29) and was one of the founders of the Art Gallery of Ontario. His paintings are featured in the collections of the National Art Gallery (Ottawa), Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto), Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, London Regional Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Peterborough, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Windsor, Royal Ontario Museum, and the Government of Ontario. "Each year the Blyth Festival tries to feature the talents of artists from our region," says Gardner. "Other artists featured on posters from past seasons include Douglas Darnbrough, Gwen Kiar, Jo Manning, Ron Walker, Mark Fletcher, Clark McDougall, and Philip Street." Copies of the 1992 poster are on sale now for $11.50 each. For more information about special events and tickets at the Blyth Festival, call (519) 523-9300. MCF holds auction The Maitland Conservation Foundation will hold its fourth annual fund raising dinner and auction on Friday, May 1, at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre in Brussels. Proceeds from the event will be supporting the conservation education activities and facilities at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. The evening will include a roast beef dinner, entertainment and an auction and raffle. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are available by calling 335-3557. "The Nature Centre fills an important need for conservation and environmental education in our area", noted Vince Judge, chairman of the Conservation Foundation. The Wawanosh Nature Centre has been operating for seven years and now attracts a total of 5,000 students annually from Huron, Perth, Bruce, and Wellington Counties. The Centre is located on concession six/seven, Nature Centre Road, of East Wawanosh Township. Two instructors work at the facility and provide activities for students from grades kindergarten through the grade ten. lhe provincial government has recently eliminated grants to conservation authorities for conservation education activities, and facilities. The Wawanosh Nature Centre is now funded by the MVCA, through its member municipalities, and by user fees, as well as through the Maitland Conservation Foundation's fund raising efforts. The Conservation Foundation hopes to raise about $20,000 through the fund raising dinner and auction. Last years event raised about $14,500. The Conservation Foundation a registered, charitable, non-profit organization that supports conservation projects being undertaken by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority is asking local businesses and individuals to support the Nature Centre through the donation of raffle and auction items. Clear the Road! Jacquie Seili is 16 April 3 Love from family & friends Family Paradise R.R. #4 Walton Happy 16th Birthday on April 3 Greg McClinchey Love Doug, Mom & Tammy & family THURSDAY NIGHT IS WING NIGHT 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT WINGS 35e EACH MINIMUM ORDER 10 a variety of sauces available Wings available for take out at regular price of 50e each. THURS., FRI., & SAT. 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT WINGS & CHIPS $5.45 EAT IN OR TAKE OUT THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES PIZZA 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT EAT IN OR TAKE OUT FAMILY PARADISE DANCE HALL RE-OPENING APRIL 4th SATURDAY NIGHT DANCES • GREAT BANDS • LICENCED UNDER LLBO HARDWOOD DANCE FLOOR Looking for a great place Call us for reservations 527-0629 Keith Tyndall (left), President of the Clinton Community Credit Union, inspects the Credit Union's new building with Mason Bailey, vice-president and chairman of the building committee during the grand opening of the half-million dollar building Saturday. The new building will serve the 11,000 members of the county's largest Credit Union.LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO _____________________________________________i_