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The Citizen, 2003-06-25, Page 29PAGE 4. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2003. Pirate tale inspired Archibald to write rollicking musical Setting a tale to music While researching an album of songs about the Great Lakes, David Archibald discovered the story of Pirate Bill Johnston and his remarkable daughter. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff The lives of some people just beg to be told. About six years ago, Kingston musician and composer David Archibald was researching material to create music for a CD when he came across the name of Bill Johnston. “What a fabulous character he was,” he says referring to the inspiration for The Perilous Pirate's Daughter, this Blyth Festival season opener. According to Archibald, during the War of 1812 Johnston enlisted on the British side because he was living near Kingston. Soon after, however, he was thrown in jail under suspicion of sympathizing with the Americans. “He claimed it was because he married an American.” While incarcerated the British confiscated £1,500 of his property. “This was a substantial amount. Understandably he was miffed and vowed to do this scourge on British shipping in the Thousand Islands and Great Lakes Region.” During his “heyday” as a pirate between 1813 and 1838, Johnston, says Archibald, “kept pretty active.” The spree culminated with the 1838 capture of the British mail ship, the Sir Robert Peel. Inspired by this colourful legend, Archibald eventually wrote a whole CD’s worth of songs about the Great Lakes heritage called The Spirit of the Inland Sea. (Singing back-up on four of the offerings, was then unknown Avril Lavigne. “I was actually producer on her first record session ever.”) But how his work came to Blyth was through a contact made many, many years earlier. A native of Guelph, Archibald, back in the 1970s composed a score for a local production which starred a 13-year- old Guelph resident, Eric Coates. Fast forward to Blyth Festival in 2000. According to Archibald, Coates, now the theatre’s associate artistic director, who had had professional contact with the composer through the years “had a vision that somehow all those songs could be woven together.” While things didn’t quite work out that way, artistic director Anne Chislett did attend Archibald’s concert in the Festival’s Garage Theatre. “I guess she saw the potential in the character of Bill. That got us going.” For Archibald the next step was more research. “I found out more about his family and learned that he was often assisted by his handsome daughter Kate.” “There she is The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter’’ Archibald wrote a few songs, then a version of a script. “Actually is was more of an outline.” This was given to Coates (“the driving force and inspiration behind it”) and Chislett, who “jumped on board and thank goodness she did.” The noted playwright fleshed out Archibald’s work and the script then came to Blyth to be workshopped. “It was a good exercise in mechanics. Usually in the songs I write it’s my voice. But in this instance they have to be the integral part of the plot. They have to advance it and be the dialogue.” “It’s a challenge but so exciting (during the first rehearsal) when we got everyone up, singing, moving and learning the tunes.” The musicians double as actors in the production, which is being directed by Coates, and boasts a cast of about a dozen. The energetic performance also promises choreography “aplenty”. 'There are quite a few bodies so when we all get up and moving it will be quite exciting.” Congratulations Blqtk F estival on a success ful 29"' season ftlijlli Station J louse Bed & Breakfast While you 're in Blyth stay at our historic Grand Trunk railway station, a romantic hideaway, with ensuite whirlpool. Enjoy a home-cooked brunch served in our exquisitely restored round wooden waiting room. We 're located on Dinsley St. just minutes from the Blyth Festival. Blyth 523-9826 or 416-449-6588 Welcome to Blyth Festival's 29th Season! Nan, Elaine & Mary Gore's Home Hardware Queen St. Blyth 523-9273 Seven Sisters Gifts & Gardens • Specializing in unique country products & accessories • ‘Scented candles, crafters' market • Elora Soap products 181 Dinsley Street, Blyth 523-9900 "/aat aio-uttd tHe costive fio-m frutitted"