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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-10, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1994. PAGE 17. The shows go on Representatives from the cast and crew of 20 seasons at Blyth Festival were present for the anniversary celebration retrospective show on Aug. 7. Prior to the performance, which was directed by Miles Potter, seated front and centre, Clare Vincent, veteran and a Legion representative and John Rutledge, designer of the Blyth Memorial Community Hall History dedicated to the memory of Evalena Webster presented the framed history to His Honour, Henry N. R. Jackman, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Retrospective brings ghosts to life The story line director Miles Pot­ ter created for the 20th anniversary season retrospective at the Blyth Festival talked about ghosts in Blyth Memorial Hall and for the hundreds of people who attended the two performances Sunday, the ghosts were very much alive. Scenes from 18 productions over the past 20 seasons were performed on stage, bringing back vivid mem­ ories for those involved in the the­ atre whether onstage, behind the scenes or in the audience. But there were much more lively figures too, represented by many of the most familiar faces from the Blyth stage over the years. All but three of the company members from the 1975 season were in attendance, including Angie Gei, Jim Schaefer, Steven Thome, stage-manager Ron Fergu­ son and James Roy and Anne Chislett. Others from throughout the years appeared, re-enacting roles they had starred in or gamely performing parts they studied for the first time only on Saturday. Artistic Director Janet Amos and former Artistic Directors James Roy and Katherine Kaszas helped Mr. Potter shape the show that fea­ tured the famous "buggy race" scene from Mostly in Clover and scenes from other audience favourites such as Quiet in the Land, The Mail Order Bride, The Tomorrow Box, Country Hearts and The Dreamland. Some actors even recreated moments they'd like to forget, like Seana McKenna's famous fall from the stage during her professional debut in the 1979 production of This Foreign Land (though she didn't complete the fall this time). The cast received standing ova­ tions after both the afternoon and evening performances. After the show a tape recorded 1975 CKNX radio show which featured back- stage interviews with cast members after the opening of Mostly in Clover was played and the audi­ ence stayed in its seats to listen and, at the evening performance, watch archival slides from several of the shows produced over the years. There seemed a reluctance to let the memories fade by leaving the theatre. Prior to the evening performance there were two special presenta­ tions. Lieutenant-Govemor Henry N. R. Jackman accepted, on behalf of the community and the province, a large plaque tracing the history of Memorial Hall, dedicated to the memory of long-time Festival and community supporter, Evalena Webster. Reeve Dave Lee and his mother Helen presented a signature quilt to the Festival to record the names of those who had taken part in the community play Many Hands in 1993. Also part of the day's activities, which were co-ordinated by Marian Doucette, was a "country supper" in Memorial Hall between the per­ formances. HCP company hits the road Huron Country Playhouse is taking its talent on the road in the form of a seniors outreach programme. The show, a new musical revue of Broadway, Gilbert and Sullivan, Vera Lynn and War songs will be performed by Steven A. Gauci, Christian Jeffrey, Melodic Shannon and Mai Liis Todd accompanied on piano by Laurence Gauci. The show is directed by Carl K. Zvonkin. Beginning Aug. 8, the troupe will embark on a 21-slop tour between Sarnia and Wingham/presenting this 90 minute show to those who arc unable to attend Huron Country Playhouse in person. "Instead of the seniors coming to us, we arc going to the seniors" said Mr. Zvonkin. "It's all part of our community awareness pro­ gramme". All members of the ensemble arc performing for Huron Country Playhouse for the first time. Mr. Zvonkin has been a familiar face to HCP audiences for many years and is teaching, for his second year, as Instructor for the Playhouse Theatre Camp/Thcatre School. The troupe will be at Brussels Huronlca at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10. Glad Days ahead The Blyth Legion Ladies Auxil liary is sponsoring a gladioli tea on Aug. 11 to support the effort to fight epilepsy. The tea will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Blyth Legion. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tea tables from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Along with gladioli for sale, crafts and baking will also be avail­ able. Volunteers will be out on that day selling bouquets for $3.50 or two for $6. Orders will be taken by the Blyth Legion Auxiliary or the Golden Lantern Restaurant in Brussels. Construction • residential & agricultural structures • framing • siding • drywall • roofing & trim Estimates & Prints R.R. # 3 Blyth k 523-9354 7 Investors UW Bruun I Can Help. It takes solid Financial planning to reach your financial goals. I can help you with: ■ Mutual Funds ■ GIC's ■ RRSPs ■ RRIFs ■ Education Plans ■ Life Insurance ■ Disability Insurance ■ Annuities ■ Estate Planning ■ Group Plans CALL Helen Hetherington • ---------- 887-6817,357-2283 or 1-800-263-7487 X^Btiilding funires since 1940.____________to find out more__________/ < DUNBAR & A COOK ELECTRIC LTD. 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