HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Blyth Festival 2001, 2001-06-13, Page 26BLYTH
FESTIVAL
2001
is produced by
The Citizen
Blyth-Brussels
Phone 523-4792
A division of
14(441 HURON PUEHSH1NG COMPANY INC
Talking about this year's The
Outdoor Donnellys conceived by
Paul Thompson, Chislett speaks of
his unique theatricality which has
"created a home here consistent with
this kind of production." Also,
appearing this year are former
Artistic Director Janet Amos and
Blyth favourites Ted Johns, and Eric
Coates. "It is lovely to have those
deep roots in Blyth back together in
the same season."
This part of the "Blyth adventure"
Grand View Restaurant
Owned & operated by Randy & Eleanor Babcock
along with daughters Kim & Kerry, since February 15,
1986. Well known for good coffee and delicious
homemade pies and cheesecakes made by Eleanor and her parents in
the restaurant kitchen. Daily specials include a choice of large or
small portions, (You'll want to save room for dessert). Fast, friendly
service. Eat in or take out. Open 7 days a week.
Mon. - Sat. 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. & Sun. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
523-4471 Corner of Hwy. #4 and County Rd. #25, Blyth
Anne Chislett: In the beginning is the word.
THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON
Weecamea Vau
Discover the magic of
Stestij,al this summer! •
sL't
Enjoy a nature walk along the Blyth Brook -
Community Greenway Trail or stroll along
the Maitland River, on the
-tK community trail in Wingham
Visit Wingham & Area's Historical Museum
Josephine Street, Wingham
Coming Events:
"OPEN COUNTRY SINGING CONTEST
CHAMPION DOG SHOW & OBEDIENCE TRIALS
July 3, 4 & 5
Blyth Fairgrounds
FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION ( HURON PIONEER THRESHER
August 3, 4, 5 & 6 HOBBY ASSOCIATION REUNION
Blyth Fairgrounds 40th Annual Show
6,..eptember 7, 8 & 9 - Blyth Fairgrouncly
Thanks for the memories Blyth Festival!
I BLUEWATER KENNEL CLUB
July 20, 21 & 22
North Huron Wescast
Community Complex
PAGE 2. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2001.
Theatre's co-founder presides over season's expansion
Chislett says she likes to have those
ones "cemented in. They are balled
and chained to Blyth.
"The strength of this place has
,always been the people who work
here. They deeply appreciate and
understand the audience and the
work we do."
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen stuff
It's not always easy to build on
something without sacrificing some
part of the integrity.
But in -her tour seasons as Blyth
Festival's Artistic Director. Anne
Chislett. has helped to achieve just
that for the summer theatre she
helped to found almost three
decades ago. "When I look back the
changes are astonishing, but they
have been a natural-evolution."
The season is expanding, "as we
hoped it would". The Festival is in a
better position both organizationally.
and in marketing..The computerized
box office has been a real boon for
enhanced service.
"That new things have been added
each year has been lovely."
What Chislett has also brought to
Blyth in her tenure has been a
reinforcement of the mandate to
develop and produce new Canadian
works. The one-time English and
theatre teacher became known most
notably as a playwright in 1981 with
the success of The 7inorrovv Box.
Now she has brought a writer's
intuitiveness to her job.
"Blyth does not just pick up plays
(from other theatres). There would
be no point in my being artistic
director of a theatre that does-
standard fare."
As producer, Chislett achieves a
certain "aesthetic on stage". But, she
notes, most theatres are run by
directors who put their personal style
into it. "That's why Eric (associate
direCtor Coates) is here and why I
have fairly consistently chosen my
directors."
Her predecessors, too have all
been directors, and as such equally
adept at recognizing quality work.
However, with Chislett's strong
background in writing, she says the
Festival is now putting a great deal
more into the scripts they are
interested in producing. "The period
of development is much longer," she
says. "We have seen some fruits of
our new play development program.
Not as many as we would like; it is a
slow pr6cess. But I believe that in
three to four more years the results
will be more apparent," she says,
adding that it takes that long to
develop a body of work.
Noting that through the Festival's
history it has produced one or two
outstanding plays every five years or
so, Chislett says, "What we've been
able to achieve is the consistency of
what's on stage so. there is a level
below which it does not fall."
Chislett has also strived for. a
familiarity among Blyth's company.
.Laughing about luring back certain
actors and directors year after year.
is important to Chislett. "It's not just
an excuse to create work. The work
they are doing is perfect for here. It's
why they are here. It's part of this
theatre."
Chislett speaks passionately about
Blyth's impact on Canadian theatre.
"Part of our mandate is to be a
national voice for
playwrights. That
is noticed in this
season."
Some 25 years
ago, Chislett says,
Blyth was almost
unique in its goal
to be a centre for
Canadian work.
"But partly
because of our
success many
theatres are now
doing at least some
Canadian work.
These are places
we used to tour to.
We've had some
influence."
With that has -
come competition,
.however, as some
of those same
places have begun
their own summer
theatres. "The
challenge_ now is
to re-affirm our
position as a major Canadian
festival. I hope to do this over the
next five years."
• And she does expect to be here for
most of them. Though five to six
years seems to be the magic number
for artistic directors in Blyth,
Chislett says, "I have no plans to
leave. I'm still enjoying it and Lord
knows. there's still lots of work to
do."
She looks ahead with excitement
saying that there are really
interesting scripts in development. stage in the next two or three years.
"It's good work I hope to have on It's the work that excites us here."
Best Wishes
Blyth
Festival
as you
open for
your
27th
Season
We're
Please
for our
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Blyth
on the opening of
your 27th Season!
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