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The Citizen, 1992-11-25, Page 23The Grand unwraps Dicken’s classic The Grand Theatre's Christmas gift to London will be unwrapped in jiist a few weeks when A Christmas Carol, by Mavor Moore, opens on Dec. 4. Based on the novel by Charles Dickens this production stars William Hutt, Ellen Horst, Peter Hutt, Barry MacGregor, Brigitte Robinson, Jan Alexandra Smith, Jonathan Wittaker and Eric Woolfe with Julie Burns, Laura Collyer and Aidan De Salaiz.' This spirited musical of A Christmas Carol is the classic tale of the miraculous transformation of grasping old skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge (William Hutt) into a beloved man of warmth and kindness following his Christmas Eve visits by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Miles Potter (Henry Burford in The Perils of Persephone and director of Mass Appeal) directs the talented ensemble with musical direction by Stephen Woodjetts and choreography by Valerie Moore. Set design is John Thompson with costumes designed by Grand newcomer Charlotte Dean and lighting by John Munro. Festival holds reading The reading of Mary-Colin Chisholm's play Safe Haven was held at the June Hill room in the Blyth Festival Administration Offices on Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. "The play reading is an important step in the journey that the play takes on its way to production," says Associate Artistic Director Greg Spottiswood. "It involves actors reading the script aloud with an audience and is part of the new play development process. The reading is the starting point in a process of evolution that is driven by the interplay of the actors, direc­ tors, technical staff, playwright, designers and audience. Ms Chisholm, Artistic Director Peter Smith and a group of invited actors were present for the reading. Safe Haven is a warm story about a young woman who returns to her hometown to tell three of the most important people in her life that she has been diagnosed as HIV posi­ tive. Body language workshop Monday The Maitland Motivators Toastmasters Club of Brussels are holding a workshop on Body Language, Gestures and Voice in Theatre, on Monday, Nov. 30. The workshop will be led by John Oram director of the Blyth Community Play Project during the 1993 theatre season of the Blyth Festival. The playwright, Dale Hamilton, will also participate in the evening's activities. The workshop is open to persons of all ages. For more information call Allan Dettweiler 887-6098. Learning the Ropes Pays Off E ntertainment THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25,1992. PAGE 23. Theatre review By Ashley and Joshua Gropp On Nov. 21, Blyth theatre put on production in its “Just For Kids” 6 Journey’ has lots of laughs birthday. He gets many presents which makes him think presents make you happy not people. One of his presents was a regular sock puppet named Fred. Not! Fred is anything but regular, he's magic. Morgan decides to go on a journey to get more presents but Fred won't go. Fred explains that people make you happy. He convinces Morgan, who then changes his plans and looks for friends instead. This time Fred goes. The play was a hit with everyone. Little kids liked it because they find that kind of stuff funny, and they got to participate. Adults and older kids liked it because, like the movie Naked Gun, it was so silly it was funny. Libraries present festive programs a series called Morgan's Journey - A Magical Theatre Adventure. When we got there we decided after reading the program that the play would be boring because it sounded like it might be too young for us. We soon realized we were wrong. At the beginning we saw an unborn clown (Morgan), who was enclosed in a sleeping bag, Morgan, who is played by Robert Morgan, has no heart at first but he gets a fake one in an envelope so then he's alive and comes out of his sleeping bag. He tries to walk and talk. It was really funny hearing him get “he”, “you”, and “me” mixed up. Morgan also finds out it's his Kickoff the holiday season at the Brussels Library on Saturday, Nov. 28 beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a festive concert by “Imaginary Friends”. This lively four member group is well known throughout the province for their radio and TV appearances as well as their two children's albums, “Imaginary Friends I and II”. Their hit song, “Little Skidoo” is becoming a Christmas standard across Canada. The “Imaginary Friends” one hour Christmas concert is based on songs from their albums plus other children's favourites including some French material that the group has found to be crowd­ pleasers. The concert stresses humour, imagination and audience participation in their lively presentation. Imaginary Friends was formed in Fest, voucher sale does well 1977 by Bert Collins, the composer of most of the songs on their albums. Bert's wife Freda and daughter Julie provide the harmonies while Ricki Lamoureux plays the piano and joins in on vocals. Together, “Imaginary Friends” put on a show that is just as appealing to the adults as the youngsters. Come join in the fun. Admission is $ 1 per person. On Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. be sure to bring the children to the Blyth library for an exceptional program of traditional storytelling. Special guest storyteller, Marylyn Peringer, will explore legends and folktales in this unique Winter Solstice program. She will share some of her best tales, ancient and modern, structured around the Winter Solstice theme. Marylyn Peringer is a former teacher whose other programs include the legends and folk tales of French Canada, stories involving animals and riddle stories. If anyone went to Morgan's Journey they were sure to have at least six good laughs - at least! We think this was a good experience for both young and old. It made you laugh and made you think. It was especially nice to see it so close to Christmas because this is the time of year when we all expect presents. It was good to remind us it is our own family and friends that truly make us happy. There are two more shows in the “Just For Kids” series and if they are as interesting as Morgan's Journey was we recommend them to you. They are Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre — A Promise is a Promise on Saturday, April 3, and Helen Carmichael Porter - The Storyteller's Cinderella - Multicultural Tales on Saturday, May 8. It is Christmas, and while we enjoy the magic of the sharing season, the summer is already shaping up for The Blyth Festival. After a difficult year that affected theatres throughout Ontario and Canada alike, the Festival is ahead of last year's pre-season sales. The Blyth Festival's Christmas Voucher brochure has been distributed to over 7,000 individuals and groups and the Festival is already seeing a strong return. The brochure outlines the $24 and $47, two and four ticket voucher packs available until Dec. 24, in limited quantities. “I'm delighted with the Christmas voucher response and we are already ahead of last year at this time,” says Box office manager Jennifer Hill. She adds, “We had to print an extra 2,000 pieces to distribute to businesses in Huron County.” The attractive blue and white brochures featuring art by Mona Barakat of Port Elgin and a short Christmas story by Artistic Director Peter Smith are available at local businesses in Blyth, Goderich, Lucknow, Kincardine, Seaforth, Clinton and Wingham or by phoning the Blyth Festival Box Offices at 523-9300. Graduation GISELE E. LAMONT-KELLY Gisdle Elizabeth Lamont- Kelly , daughter of Gisdle and Peter Kelly, R.R. #2 Blyth graduated with four advanced certificates from Festival School of Hairdressing - Stratford on October 22, 1992. Congratulations Gisfele we're proud of you. Love Mom, Dad, Lisa, David, Sarah, Laura, M6r6re and Gramma Kelly.