The Citizen, 2001-09-12, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2001. PAGE 23.
Entertainment Leisure
Audiences, critics loved Blyth Festival season
Old style
The antique and classic autos are always worth a closer
look as they make an impressive display along the ball dia-
mond at the Blyth fairgrounds during the Huron Pioneer
Thresher Reunion, which was held this past weekend.
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6)
.> • fVfr. & Mrs. Douglas and
' marriage )
04114C04421.4 MCV/heaCte
' i n f their daughter
/ L sley Alison
to
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son •r. & Mrs. Gordon
Bather Bell and
Mrs. eannie (Strong)
Hamilto(1. The wedding will
take place at the Knox
United Church in Auburn on
September 15, 2001 at 3:30
p.m. Open reception to fol-
low at 9 o'clock, Saltford
Iley Hall. Family, friends &
ghbours are invited to join
in our celebration.
"Special Blessings from
Madison"
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
What a high for Blyth Festival as it
comes off of one of its most critical-
ly acclaimed seasons ever. With the
shows winding up this week, Artistic
Director Anne Chislett said she is
"very proud _of the work we've
done."
In terms of the critics' and the
audiences' reaction, Chislett said the
The village of Monkton is plan-
ning a new look for the fall events
held by two local service clubs this
year. A joint venture is being organ-
ized by the clubs which have each
held separate events in the past.
This year the Monkton Lions Club
and the Monkton GIRLS are hosting
Harvest Funfest on Sunday, Sept. 23
at the Elma Logan Recreation
Complex in Monkton. This event
will combine the former GIRLS
Club Craft Show and the Monkton
Lions Club Turkey Shoot that were
On Wednesday, Sept. 5 a dozen
young actors, chosen from among
1,000 applicants, arrived in Stratford
to start their studies with the
Stratford Festival Conservatory for
Classical Theatre Training.
Earlier this year, around 300 actors
tried out for the Conservatory in
auditions held across Canada. In the
2001 class, I f are Canadians, with
one successful candidate from
Chicago, says Artistic Director
Richard Monette.
Founded in 1998, the
Conservatory offers a concentrated
and comprehensive approach to
artistic development for the most
promising young actors in Canada
today. It provides continuing profes-
sional development and comple-
ments the work of existing theatre
schools. The 15 weeks of intensive
training includes work in voice and
movement, history and background
research, interpretation of classical
texts and acting, as well as an in-
depth exploration of a classical play
text culminating in a performance
before an invited audience.
The Conservatory is led by
Principal David Latham and staff is
drawn from Festival coaches and
directors.
Unlike most training programs,
where a tuition is charged, there is
no fee; in fact, the young actors are
paid to study with the Festival. They
are also offered contracts to join the
Festival's company in the season fol-
lowing their studies.
season has been very successful,
adding with a smile that she has had
"fewer letters of complaints than
other years and many more compli-
ments."
The number of standing ovations
has been nothing short of "extraordi-
nary."
While productions have received
accolades from the media in atten-
dance, it is that audience reaction
which has been the real gift for
Chislett. "It just couldn't have been
held on two separate weekends in
the past. It is hoped that this new
event will become an annual' tradi-
tion just as the individual events
were in the past.
The Harvest Funfest will be tilled
With activities for the whole family.
The Monkton firefighters will kick
off the day with a brunch on Sunday
morning from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and the
annual Monkton Craft show will be
running in the arena from 10 a.m. - 6
p.m. The Lions Club will host its
first Austin Healy Car show in the
better."
Contributing to the success is a
company that Chislett describes as
one of the best the Festival has had.
But, not even the best actors can
create magic with a lajklustre script
and Chislett feels that this Blyth
Festival season had a' passionate
drive to it that appealed to the audi-
ence. "People do respond to that,
when they care deeply about the peo-
ple. That's what makes theatre excit-
ing and you could not accuse any of
park and the annual turkey shoot
elimination draw will take place in
the arena during the afternoon as
well.
There will be games and activities
for the children and fun for all ages.
A hobby show and sale featuring
many local collectors from the
Monkton area will share the show
with other collectors of unique and
interesting hobbies.
A scarecrow completion will be a
new feature added to this fall event.
We are encouraging groups and indi-
the plays of being wimpy."
With the 2001 season ending, what
has Chislett planned to build on its
success for next year? "We are
remounting The Donnelly's, in bigger
and better formats. Tickets are on
sale and they are selling really quick-
ly. Surprisingly many of them are
being scooped up by people who
have already seen it."
Also on the list is a remount of the
highly successful The Drawer Boy,
by Michael Healey from the 1999
viduals to design a scarecrow for
display and judging. Everyone is
invited to bring their creation to the
arena by 10 a.m. if they want to enter
their scarecrow in the contest. The
categories are scariest, funniest and
most original. There will also be a
chance for everyone to vote for the
People's Choice Award.
Anyone who wants information
about Harvest Funfest or would like
to be an exhibitor can call Gerri 347-
2772, Bob 347-2486 or Janice 347-
2368.
0 Medic Alert
ALWAYS ON CALL
www.meciicalert.ce
For more information
1-866.84E1-3259
You gotta try my
Grandpa Kelly's
sweet corn!
Love Drayden
season. "It sold out for us the first
time and I want to make sure that our
audience gets a chance to see it,"
said Chislett explaining that a legal
commitment kept the theatre from
bringing it back last year.
While the rest of the season is
undecided, if the quality of work in
2001 is any indication, it should be a
stellar year at Blyth Festival.
Monkton groups join forces for event
Young thespians chosen for theatre training