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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-06-16, Page 2350th Wedding Anniversary Bruce and Doris McCall extend a cordial invitation to all their friends to celebrate with them and their family on this very special occasion of their 50th Anniversary on Friday, June 18 at the Brussels Community Centre. Reception at 7:30 and dance at 9:00 to the Royal Aires. Best Wishes only please. / lobjek y E ntertainment Setting the scene While Mike McManus and Laurel Paetz run through a scene during rehearsals for Ceili House set to open at Blyth Festival June 25, playwright Colleen Curran, at the table, extreme left, and director Patricia Vanstone beside her play close attention. `Ceili House' Mystery unfolds in garden lids* /0 _IC:1 50111- Mk' • PARK THEATRE • GODERICH 521.781/1 ROBERT RED1ORD DEMI MOORE WOODY HARRELSON INDECENT PROPOSAL FRI. - THUR. JUNE 18 - 24 FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 PM SUN.-THUR. 8 PM LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO UAA BLYTH V FESTIVAL presents Ceili House World Premiere Colleen Curran, one of Blyth's best loved writers, and the author of such hits as Cake Walk and Local Talent returns. Freya Brady is the young woman hired as the curator in charge of turning a very old home into a museum to honour the famous Canadian author who 1 ived there. Her seemingly simple task is turned into an hilarious misadventure by a cast of eccentric characters including an opera singing gardener, a retired teacher who is a practising druid, a meddling socialite, and a business-man-turned suitor who all conspire to drive the play to its surprising conclusion. Opening June 25 Reserved tickets via the Blyth Festival Box Office BOX OFFICE (519)523-9300 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993. PAGE 23. Happy Birthday The Big 60 Theatre review `Many Hands' a unique experience By Janice Becker The presentation of Many Hands, a Blyth and District Community Play, was a very unique theatre experience. Having had little previous con- tact with the theatre (except Shake- spear), I was not sure what to expect. The event was delightful, fasci- nating and even educational. The innovative presentation was strik- ing. When one considers the cast of over 130 people consisted of mostly amateur volunteers, the co- ordination necessary for such a pro- duction seems phenomenal to the uninitiated. My husband, myself and our young son attended the opening night performance, which began with a reading of the names from the War Memorial. Following this tribute, a proces- sion led the good-sized crowd towards the old Rutabaga Factory, in which the play was staged. Along the route, the townspeople presented glimpses of the lives of "any person", throughout time. As the playwright Dale Hamilton states, the Roots, the central figures of the play, are a "fictitious com- posite family". They are to "repre- sent Every Family, particularly farm families, whose roots run deep in rural Ontario." Upon arrival at the theatre, the audience was greeted by the cast members, by handshakes and hel- los. The gesture helped to create the sense of community, a theme on which the entire play was based. By the use of six stages, mobile performances and spot lighting, the audience was given a look at family life, from the 1890s to the present. The Root's family and friends, were shown in both good times and bad. For both the young and the old, I would recommend seeing this pro- duction by the Blyth and District Community Theatre. It is both entertaining and a great lesson in history. To fully appreciate all the effects and various stages for the perfor- mance, it is best to be prepared to stand for the three hour duration, on the factory floor. Although chairs were provided, it was much easier to see and hear all the action by moving with the performers. Many Hands runs until Saturday, June 19. 2c,?.r;2'8Q_A '1[47171 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, June 22, 7:00 p.m. Clinton Town Hail Speaker from: Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services Annual Reports Available from Women Today Office Beginning June 18, 1993. Only a real interest in women's issues is needed. 482-9706 1-800-268-3094 P.O. Box 1405 56 Huron Street, Clinton, Ontario By Bonnie Gropp Playwright Colleen Curran has proven herself to Blyth audiences. With hits like Cake Walk, Local Talent and Miss Balmoral of the Bayview she has earned a reputa- tion for bringing to the stage, like- able, eccentric characters in light-hearted, entertaining stories. People can expect nothing less with her new play, Ceili House opening June 25 at Blyth Festival. "It has lots of comedy and romance," says Ms Curran. "And of course, some wonderful, zany people," said Patricia Van- stone, theplay's director, who is herself, no stranger on the Blyth stage. Ms Vanstone notes, however, that unlike the other Curran works, Ceili House has an element of mys- tery. Ms Curran agrees. "A friend of mine described it as lots of boxes with secrets being revealed throughout the story. My other plays had all the information right out front," she said. The story of Freya Brady, a young woman hired as the curator in charge of turning a very old home into a museum was two years in the making. Its inspiration came from a lot of things, said Ms Cur- ran, but primarily it comes from the importance of literature and cul- ture. "Protecting what we have is precious. That's the message of this play." In the case of Freya it's also about self discovery, the pair says. The set design adds to the overall theme. "When the characters arrive in the garden it's a mess but it's later restored, which mirrors the progress of the play," said Ms Van- stone. "It's about bringing back the magic." "Ceili House was once an Irish Druid home; a place of liveliness, but it's lost all that," said Ms Cur- ran. "The message though is that things can be neglected, but the jewel is still there," said Ms Van- stone. The cast assembled to bring the special Curran characters to life is familiar to the eccentricities. Actors Anne Anglin, Laurel Paetz and Clair Crawford were all in Cake Walk, while Kevin Bundy appeared in Miss Balmoral and was the voice in Local Talent. "Actually," said Ms Vanstone, "the only one who has not worked with the rest of us is Mike McManus, the new kid on the block." Mr. McManus is mak- ing his Blyth debut. For Ms Vanstone directing Ceili House is a nice and a new opportu- nity. Though she has assistant directed other productions, this is her first mainstage experience as director. "I am enjoying being on the other side, looking at the whole picture." As an actor, she says, one must focus on the character they are playing. However as a director she gets to "enjoy the wonderful quirks in each character. The biggest chal- lenge is not letting Colleen down. It's such a great script, with appeal for people of all ages, and it's my responsibility to keep it moving in the right direction. " Though the characters may be a little "off the wall" they are, the writer and director say, all believ- able. "I think everyone has some eccentricity. For Ms Vanstone making these people real requires the time to see what makes them click. "Once the actors have a solid base of whom these people are then you can build on the eccentricity. What's thrilling about the actors in this production is their comedic timing and experi- ence. You just know they'll find the spark," she says. Ceili House runs through to Sept. 11. Rutabaga Festival Souvenirs Including: • Sweat Shirts & Pants • Children's & Adults' T-Shirts • Jackets • Cook books • Hats & Can Holders Available at: Bell's Variety, Blyth while supplies last. TAKE ADVANTAGE \OF 1992 PRICES!!