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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Blyth Festival 2001, 2001-06-13, Page 32-11111111111v- 218111111118iii 011111litui, .01111111111#0„41111111111# iii1111111111111 Welcome to Blyth Festival's CV Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel (519) 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 www.ettravel.com www.ridethetrains.com 27th Season! Nan, Elaine & Mary Gore's Home Hardware Queen St. Blyth 523-9273 -.#11111111111, iti11111118iii• iii111111111mi. Carlson Wagonlit ELLISON TRAVEL Exeter mow mai ACIVRACTS OF roc WORLD" visit out newest webstte: www.ridethetrains.com • Rocky Mountaineer Railtours • Whistler Northwind • Eastern Canada & The Maritimes • The Blue Train - Southern Africa • Eurail Passes Good Luck - Blyth Festival - 2001 Season Stickers Restaurant Located on County Rd. #25, Auburn. Stickers offers Blyth Festival visitors a convenient stop along the way. You will enjoy our country atmosphere and good home cooking. Daily specials and all day breakfast make for a variety of menu choices. Don't miss our Friday night All-You-Can-Eat Smorgasbord served from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. and our Sunday Night Smorgasbord served from 4 to 7 p.m. There's lots of parking space and a "We Serve Gas & Diesel Bar" as well as showers. Open 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 526-7759 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday "New Piania /an the Neu., Milleoutaist" A Major Horticultural Event Act II Saturday, August 18 Speakers to be announced MAITLAND MANOR NURSERY ... a gardener's delight Maitland Manor Nursery, owned by Don Henry, provides visitors with a chance to see the blending of trees, flowers, butterflies and birds that gardeners try to achieve. Lots and lots of specialty perennials, shrubs, trees and landscaping supplies. Stroll through our display gardens and see the many varieties of ornamental grasses, lilies, ferns, irises, hostas, heuchera, astilbe & other unusual perennials in a garden setting. You'll be inspired • Water plants • Alpine Plants • Ground covers • Roses and more also available just east of Bluevale on Hwy. #86 (519) 335-3240 www.maitlandmanor.com PAGE 8. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2001. Vagaries of outdoor performing old hat for Pyrz Berger makes debut By Nlark Nonkes Citizen wolf It actor Gene Pyrz should have to perform in the rain during the run of The Outdoor DonneIlls he will he walking on familiar ground. For four summers Pyrz performed Shakespeare in outdoor productions near Winnipeg. in rain or shine. "The four years I was involved with them, we only cancelled one show." Pyrz said. The troupe would not only act in the rain, but they would tight with swords, run around and scale walls. There is always a level of safety that has to be addressed, Pyrz said. If it is too slippery and the actors could be in danger and a show could he cancelled. Pyrz said. It's better to exercise caution and live to play another day," Pyrz smiled. In The Outdoor Donnellys Pyrz plays John Donnelly, one of the Blyth marks Wes Berger's professional debut to the theatre stage. After four years of university at Brock in St. Catharines, Berger is getting his first break since graduating last spring. Berger plays multiple roles in The Outdoor Donnellys, including the role of the youngest Donnelly, Thomas. As the youngest, Thomas DOnnelly is used to having things his way and likes to be the boss of things. He is a rough and tumble character, Berger said. "He's the youngest, the biggest, and the quickest to settle things with his fists," Berger said. To research the character and the Donnelly era, Berger read books, a first hand account from a journal and court records. Just living in Blyth has helped Donnelly's home. John just happened to be sleeping over at William's for the night. In the middle of the night he answered -the door for William and was shot and killed. Pyrz was a late addition to the Donnelly play. Just one week before the show began rehearsal Pyrz was added to the cast. With only a week to prepare for the show Pyrz didn't get to do much research. Being from Winnipeg. Pyrz never heard of the Donnellys before. "They don't talk- much about the Donnellys there — we've got Louis Riel." Pvrz chuckled. Pyrz didn't hesitate when he was asked to be in the Donnellys by director Paul Thompson. "It's almost an irresistible challenge," Pyrz said. Creating a collective calls for lots of improvisation by the actor in rehearsal. It is an honour for something that an actor has created in improv to be used in a show. Pyrz said. "It sort of gives you a pay-off for the scariness of doing the improv itself." Pyrz said. Pyrz plays his guitar in the show. He helped create some of the guitar music and also some of the songs. In Toronto, where he now makes his home, Pyrz is in a band where he plays and sings. This is Pyrz's debut at the Festival. The Outdoor Donnellys Gene Pyrz: great outdoorsrhan. Donnelly brothers. John Donnelly had a rap sheet as long as his brothers', which included assault, Pyrz said. "Altpdst everything his brothers did, he did too," Pyrz said. John Donnelly was killed on the night of the mob attack at William Wes Berger: youngest Donnelly him better understand the world of the Donnellys, Berger said. - In a small community like Blyth everybody knows everybody, which is similar to the Donnelly days in Lucan. "It's an alien thing for someone living in a bigger city," Berger said. Berger grew up in Niagara Falls. In his last year of high school Berger became involved in community theatre. On a Whim he tried out for the acting program at Brock University arid was accepted. Last year, in his mid-20s Berger moved out of his parents' house and set up residence in Toronto. Since moving to Toronto Berger has took several part-time jobs. while dreaming of acting. He's worked in theatre box offices and the midnight shift at grocery stores. On the first night Berger was in Toronto he went to a bar and met his girlfriend. "I've never really been alone,' Berger said. This is Berger's second time working with Donnelly director Paul Thompson. When Berger was studying in university Thompson directed a collective which was performed in Port Colborne. Being invited to become-a member of the Donnelly cast was an honour, he said. Berger said he was surprised when asked. "It means a lot," Berger said.