HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-06-21, Page 23The Ballad ends
Randi Helmers as Vivian makes peace with her father, Jack Tanner, portrayed by Jerry
Franken in one of the final scenes of Ballad for a Ruth Runner's Daughter, which opened to
a sellout crowd on Friday evening at Blyth Memorial Hall. Several musical talents highlighted
this 21st season opening show.
Theatre review
`Ballad', a walk in the past
June 20th, 1995
'Through the years of
laughter and tears
Love is the greatest 'gift"
we are given to share
.9-rappy 20th Anniversary
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By Bonnie Gropp
The 21st season of The Blyth
Festival kicked off on Friday
evening with an imaginative,
beautiful story of memories and
regrets. Ballad for a Rum Runner's
Daughter is a Romeo and Juliet
story, with a Dickens' flavour, set
during Prohibition.
The ghost of an Irish female
pirate, Granuaile, was once the
imaginary playmate of Clare, her
older sister, Vivian and their
friends, Hiram and Willis.
Granuaile comes back to haunt a
skeptical Vivian the day before her
birthday. She takes Vivian, now a
bitter, middle-aged woman on a
tour of the past, stirring memories
that open, then heal wounds.
Vivian is sanctimoniously angry
about her rum running father's
disregard for the law and the
dictates of proper society. She is
frustrated by what she sees as her
sister's irresponSible foolishness in
loving an RCMP officer and is
blind to the love before her eyes in
favour of a respectable liaison with
a preacher.
Vivian's reflections, as seen
through the eyes of Granuaile,
show the importance of family and
forgiveness. What she learns is
that we are all in control of our own
lives, our own destinies and must
not hold regret for any wrong turns
we perceive we might have made.
The story, written by Laurie
By Janice Becker
Well-known Canadian performer
Kate Trotter has returned to Blyth,
the home of her theatrical begin-
ning, but this time it is to direct her
first production at the Festival.
Trotter, known for her appear-
ances on many Canadian and
American television productions,
most recently Kung Fu, will be
directing The Tomorrow Box, writ-
ten by another veteran of the Blyth
Festival, Anne Chislett.
"Having performed in Box 15
years ago, I feel personally con-
nected to the play," says Trotter.
"It will be interesting seeing it
from a different vantage point. As
an actor, you cannot see it from the
outside; you are just an instrument
in the orchestra."
"I don't know how different my
vision of the play will be (as corn-
Fyfe, who has had two other Blyth
premieres, Bush Fire and Field of
Flowers, has presented these life
lessons in an entertaining, often
poignant manner. Though the play
does have some weak spots, most
notably in its treatment of why the
relationship between Clare and her
officer ends, it is innovative and
intelligent. Though the beginning
may be a bit confusing, the
development of character and plot
becomes quite clear after only a
short while, if the audience
perseveres.
Directed by the Festival's Artistic
Director Janet Amos the play
moves smoothly from scene to
scene though transition from mood
to mood, most obviously with the
character of Vivian is a little
blurred. Why she is high and
mighty with regards to liquor then
drinks it after a lengthy speech on
its evils is a little bewildering.
The acting is excellent with
special note being given to Angela
Fusco, who slips from the roles of
the flamboyant Granuaile, to steady
Aunt Melba, and the flirtatious
Pearl with understated ease. Jerry
Franken, a Blyth favourite, gave a
typical solid turn as Jack Tanner,
Vivian's father.
Casting kudos go to Amos for
her selection of the four young
leads. Randi Helmers, last seen on
the Blyth stage as Wild Mary in
Tapestry Music Theatres Colours
in the Storm is a perfect sensible
pared to previous directors), but it
will reflect how I see the world in
the 90s. There may be subtle,
unconscious differences."
Trotter says she admires the past
through which Maureen (central
character in Box) has walked and
wants to salute her integrity and
strength as well as the men around
her, as they come to understand
her.
"I want to show a younger gener-
ation which comes to admire and
respect the older generation."
"This play explores the impor-
tance of self-respect and freedom
and expresses it with healthy and
healing laughter."
If you can get 400 people to
enjoy and learn with laughter, it has
been a good night at the theatre,
says Trotter.
The Tomorrow Box opens June
21 and runs through Aug. 26.
East Coast girl, holding in the
passion of her Celtic ancestry. The
red-haired Trish O'Reilly is equally
suited for the hot-blooded,
impetuous younger sister, while
Ted Atherton is so well-cast as the
officer, one could believe he is
really an RCMP posing as an actor,
rather than the reverse.
Equally good is Daniel Giverin,
who seemed born to the cloth in his
role as the young preacher.
Though some of the
characterizations were a little
forced in the early scenes,
particularly O'Reilly and Helmers,
by the end of the first act all
appeared to have settled into their
roles.
Another highlight of the play is
the wonderful music composed by
Beth Bartley and performed
throughout by Bartley Musical
Director Cathy Nosaty, Bartley's
husband Mark Clifford and actor
Daniel Giverin.
Barney'sl husband Mark Clifford
and actor Daniel Giverin.
Bartley's music is powerful,
haunting and beautiful. She
displays an adeptness at composing
various styles which blend well
with the era and the tone of the
story. The final ballad between
Vivian and her father is a poignant
piece that perfectly complements
its bittersweet ending, in which
Vivian has managed to "silence her
innermost need so that it fades with
a whisper of regret."
Ballad for a Rum Runner's
Daughter was a solid beginning to
this Festival season. It runs until
July 21.
The interest was high and the
turnout was large. Young actors
vying for a spot on Blyth Festival's
Young Company troupe came out
in such large numbers on the first
day of interviews that a second date
has been scheduled.
Anyone interested in acting
should contact the Blyth Festival
Administration Office to set up an
interview for Monday, June 26,
between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This year's presentation, Hee
Hee: Tales from The White Dia-
mond Mountain, a journey through
the magical stories and beautiful
country of Korea, will be brought
to life with music, story, mask and
movement.
Rehearsals for the production
begin on July 10 and run through
mid August with performances on
Aug. 15 to 19 at 7:30 p.m.
For the younger set, the Chil-
dren's Drama Workshop will be
offered from June 29 to July 7.
The resulting sketch will be pre-
sented to parents on July 8.
Registration will be held on
Wednesday, June 28 at The Garage
from 9 a.m. until noon for five to
eight-year-olds and from 1 p.m.
until 4 p.m. for nine to 12-year-
olds.
Anyone wishing further informa-
tion may call the Festival office at
523-4345.
Happy 75th
Mom
June 25, 1995
Love, Glen, Ruth, Sandra,
Leo, Dale, Fiona, Beth, Don,
Karen, Rich & families
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1995. PAGE 23.
E ntertainment
t'estival interviews
for Young Company
K. Trotter comes to Blyth
to direct 'Tomorrow Box'