The Citizen, 1997-06-25, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25,1997 PAGE 23.
The stage is set
Blyth Festival's season got underway with a gala opening on Friday evening and a
performance of the acclaimed, award-winning Quiet in the Land. Yock Bauman (Barna
Morica) and his father, Christy (David Fox) have a heated discussion while Hannah Bauman
(Sharon Bakker) and Katie Brubacher (Sharon Bernbaum) look on in this scene. (Photo by
James Hockings/Off Broadway Photography)
Theatre review
What a start to a season
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
What a start to a season.
Blyth Festival's opening night,
Friday, got things off on solid foot
ing as its remount of the award
winning Anne Chislett play Quiet
in the Land brought the full-house
to its feet for a lengthy ovation and
curtain call.
People have come to expect cer
tain things from a Chislett offering
— an intelligent dramatization of
real people in real settings, with
just the right touch of humour. A
superb cast, good direction and
effective set and costume design
just further enhance this Blyth pro
duction.
Quiet first premiered in Blyth in
1981. It went on to receive the
Governor-General's Award for
Drama and the Chalmers Canadian
Play Award in 1983. With the
inspiration of Artistic Director
Janet Amos, Chislett, who steps
into those shoes next season,
penned a story of the Amish com
munity during World War I. In a
thoughtful, sensitive manner, it out
lines their struggles to maintain
order in a world caught up in battle,
amidst a questioning younger gen
eration.
While it is difficult imagining
any society conforming to the rigid
teachings of this old patriarchal
order, one can't help but be
impressed by some of its common
sense wisdom. Quiet offers intel
lectual insight delivered in a com
prehensible manner' into a religion
based on morals, values, work ethic
and family.
Yet, it also shows the humanity
and therefore fallibility of the peo
ple. It is a story of strength and
weakness, of restraint and passion,
of faith and sin.
David Fox, reprises the role of
Christy. Stubborn in his beliefs, he
rebukes any change, alienating
friends and losing his son. It would
be difficult to imagine anyone but
Fox in the role. An imposing pres
ence, poised and confident, he
shines without snuffing the light of
those around him.
Another Blyth veteran Jerry
Franken is back to give a typically
under-stated, solid performance as
Christy's friend, Zepp. Sharon
Bakker as Hannah, Ari Cohen as
Menno and Kirsten Van Ritzen in
their first Blyth Festival seasons
hold their own against this strong
cast.
While Quiet is about the Amish
community and its attempts to
blend into the modem world with
out being threatened by it, it is also
a love story, enhanced by the
chemistry and fine acting of Barna
Moricz as Yock and Sharon Bem-
baum as his love Katie. In their
Blyth debuts they deliver perfor
mances that add much to the
poignant sub-plot.
Bernbaum, particularly, is daz
zling, as the sensual girl drawn to
the handsome rebel, while holding
firm to her beliefs. From flirtatious
ingenue to a young woman torn
between romantic passion and
faithfulness she establishes herself
as a wonderful talent with depth
and range.
Also appearing in the play are
local faces, Floyd Herman, Anne
Elliott, Kendra Fry, Scott Bouman,
John Battye and Lindsay Gibson.
All hold their own beside the sea
soned veterans.
Directed with a light touch by
Paul Lampert, both humour and
pathos are handled subtly with the
power of the words and story carry
ing the total effect.
The ingenious set design by John
Ferguson is effective, complicated
simplicity that helps to keep things
flowing smoothly during scenes.
Quiet in the Land is a powerfully
moving story, well-written, well-
acted and well ... wonderful! It is a
triumphant beginning to a promis
ing Blyth Festival season.
Still Cool at 40
big C
KEB
TWIN CINEMA
HAPPY 85TH
BIRTHDAY
THOMAS MILLER
iStomp9 at the Centre
STOMP, the international
percussion sensation will be at The
Centre In The Square for two
performances, July 29 and 30.
This will be the only area
appearance this summer for
STOMP. The eight-member
percussion group has caused a
sensation at every one of its
ground-breaking appearances.
STOMP uses everything but
conventional percussion
instruments - garbage cans, tea
chests, plastic bags, boots, hub caps
- to fill the stage with one of the
most original acts to arrive in
Kitchener for a long time.
Tickets for the above
performances go on sale this
Saturday, June 21 and are available
at The Centre's box office either in
person or by phone. To order call
(519) 578-1570 or toll free 1-800-
mAnmTnmvM
Saturday, June 23th
3 am -1 pm
All Morning Pancakes & Sausages
Entertainment
11:30-1:00 9:30-11:30
"Jammin with Phil Main" Berry Many
& Magic in Motion's Fun and Games with
Children's Theatre The Optimist Club
Admission Fee for Entertainment
e>EKRIES
Hwy #e>6E Lucknow 52S-29OO
Happy 50th
Anniversary
Elston and Olga
Speiran
on June 28, 1997
Your family,
Brad, Gayle,
Sara, Jill and Jeff
Vanastra
Recreation Centre
SUMMER
PROGRAM ‘97
June 30 to September 6
SUMMER WITH
A SPLASH
• Youth Red Cross Lessons
• Adult Lessons
• Pre-School
• Aqua Fitness
• Swim Team
• Daily Recreational Swims
For information or to
register call
482-3544
• PARK THEATRE
FRI.-THURS.
JUNE 27-JULY 3
FRI., & SAT.
7 & 9:15 P.M.
SUN.,-THURS.
BATMAN
FtOBIbl
P ALICIA
SILVERSTONE____
LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO
BLYTH LIONS CLUB
presents
GUITARS &
B| SURROUND SOUND STEREO~]B
LISTOWEL 291-3070
STARTS FRIDAY n
CINEMA 1 (RATED -
7 & 9:00 FAMttY)Z
—WALT DISNEY’S -
o HERCULES
SUNDAY MATINEE 2 PM
CINEMA 2 (RATED z
7 & 9:30 Ai)-
BATMAN & ROBIN
SUNDAY MATINEE 2 PM
Guess Who - family,
friends, co-workers or
your ball team?
A Tribute to
Dwight Yokum
CADILLACS
Also performing
Bouyou (Kim Souch)
Blyth & District Community Centre ~ Arena Floor
Saturday, June 28,1997
From your family
Dancing 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Tickets available at the door
$15.00 per couple or $8.00 per person
Age of Majority Required
Lunch Available
Being held in conjunction with Santa's
Summer Toy Ride
Proceeds to Community Projects
For Information - 523-9121 or 523-4545