HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-09-03, Page 31E ntertainment
The gang
The Barn Dance gang is back again with Blyth Festival’s 1997 production of Barndance
Live. From left: Ernie King (Raoul Bhaneja), with some of the Ranch Boys (Sandy MacKay,
Adam Large, Eric Coates, Gary Muir), along with Don and Cora Robertson (Andrew Dolha
and Carolyn Hay). Barndance Live is on stage until Sept. 10
Theatre review
Writer says play a nice surprise
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
It was with great reluctance that I
took myself to the Blyth Festival
production Bandance Live! I must
take a brave stand and admit my
unpopular opinion on country
music and the whole CKNX Bam
Dance phenomenom. I don’t like
the former, and am not overly
impressed by the latter.
While I was too young to have
had any knowledge of the travel
ling Bam Dance show, I did grow
up with many of the same charac
ters as seen on Cirlce 8 Ranch. It
was a must-see in our home every
week and one that I couldn't find
enough excuses to avoid.
However, Barndance Live! was
an uplifting surprise. I quite
enjoyed the Festival's tribute to the
people who lived this Huron Coun
ty legend. The talented cast, who
pulled together this collective are
first-rate musicians and solid actors
who re-create the real-life personal
ities they portray with honesty and
respect.
And while the music is a large
part of this play, it is the insights
into these much-loved, familiar
faces that provide equal enjoyment.
Cast members Raoul Bhaneja, Eric
Coates, Andrew Dolha, Carolyn
Hay, Gary Muir and Adam Large,
as well as musicians Anne Leder
man and E.A. (Sandy) MacKay,
show us not just the story behind
Barn Dance, but the part it played
in local history and in the lives of
those who played in it.
Bringing real-life characters to
life on stage is no small challenge,
but for the actors of Barndance
Live! it is multiplied as they each
switch back and forth between sev
eral.
And make them all easily recog
nizable. Imagine the handsome
Coates being transformed into a
rotund Rossie Mann and making it
work.
The incomparable Carolyn Hay
is kept very busy as all the females,
yet makes it look easy. It is an
excellent showcase for her many
talents, as she sings, plays piano
and portrays everything from an
overly zealous fan to the staid and
solid Cora Robertson.
There is something for everyone
in this collective. For those who
remember fondly the days when the
Travelling Barn Dance brought
entertainment to them, while pro
viding would-be talents with a
chance to strut their stuff, this is not
just a bit of nostalgia, but a tribute
to Doc Cruikshank, his performers
and their place in local history.
For those who enjoy quality
entertainment, with top-notch per
formers it's a sure pleaser.
And even if you don't care for
country and western music, even if
the Bam Dance wasn’t your thing,
I'm sure you'll find this story, at the
least, enlightening entertainment.
Brussels Minor Soccer
Pot Luck Banquet
Sunday, September 7
5:30 p.m.
B.M.G. Community Centre
Election of officers to take place
Please bring uniforms,
plates &, cutlery
Refreshments will be supplied
> GODERICH
8 PM
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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,1997 PAGE 31.
Tivins
Raoul Bhaneja, left, practised recently with Ernie King,
whom he plays in the Blyth Festival production Barndance
L i ve / (John Greig photo)
A mosquito may fly as far as 500
kilometres over its lifetime.
Mosquitoes can sense human hosts
from up to six metres away. They
are attracted mainly by heat,
moisture and carbon dioxide.
JLappy 20th
Mom <§• food
Grandma Grandpa
Love, Bradley, Ryan,
Tabatha, Sean,
Brady & Bryce
Kate Van Bakel graduated
with honours In Kinesiology
In the co-op program from
the University of Waterloo on
May 28, 1997. She has
accepted full time
employment at Cambridge
Physiotherapy Clinic.
Congratulations Kate!
From your family.
THIS SATURDAY SEPT. 6)
CKNX Country 920
presents
BMG Recording Artist
JULIAN AUSTIN
on his Canada-wide tour
Nominated for Male Vocalist
of the year
Nominated for Best New Act
WATCH FOR HIS VIDEOS ON CMT!
Tix $7 advance
$10. at door
Come see Canada’s
up and coming star!
PARK THEATRE
ENDS THURSDAY
FRI.-THURS.
SEPT. 05-11
> PARENTAL
ff GUIDANCE
Contact
Matthew McConaughey
JODIE FOSTER
LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO J
A message
from deep space.
Who will be
the first to go?
A journey to the
heart of the universe.