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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Blyth Festival 2000, 2000-06-21, Page 42PAGE 18. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2000. As Barbara Walker, Caroline Gillis has difficult challenge By Mark Nonkes Freelance Writer Actress Caroline Gillis, who plays in Anne and Stolen Lives — The Albert Walker Story, at the Blyth Festival, has said good-bye to her TV for the summer. “I don’t have a television in Blyth and that is going to save my life . . . I was getting a little too addicted to TV. Instead Gillis plans to learn to play the guitar and read a few books in her spare time. Audiences may remember Gillis from two years ago when she played Sherry in Wilbur County Blues and Shelley in Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. “It was a great experience last time and the company I worked with last time was amazing and I assume it will be more of the same this year.” This year, Gillis takes on the roles of Rachel Lynn in Anne, the town gossip, and Barbara in Stolen Lives — The Albert Walker Story. Gillis said the challenge of playing Rachel Lynn is “To try to bring lots of comedy and sensitivity to the part”. Caroline Gillis plays the betrayed Barbara Walker in Stolen Lives. seconds later. In Stolen Lives - The Albert Walker Story Gillis plays Albert Walker’s ex-wife. Gillis is excited by being part of a new Canadian production and describes her character as a down-to-earth woman who gets caught in a nightmare. “This is even more difficult than taking on a role that has been made famous like Rachel Lynn because it is actually a role of a woman who is still alive.” . Since Gillis appeared on the Blyth stage last, she has played a wide array of characters in Toronto theatres including a “crazy alcoholic mother” and a “tortured wife”. 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 “I’m a completely different actor and person ... so I can’t take any comparison. Seriously, whether it’s positive or negative,” she said when suggested she may be compared to other portrayals of Rachel Lynn. “Bring it on, bring on the comparisons,” she jokes a few Festival audiences see many plays first Blyth Festival audiences have an opportunity to savour something no other summer theatre offers: the chance to see important new plays performed for the very first time. It's a process the Festival has become known for over its 26 seasons. Eighty plays have been premiered on the Blyth stage. Forty­ eight per cent of those plays have gone on to be performed in other theatres across Canada or around the world. It makes for magical moments, particularly when an opening night audience realizes they’re in on the beginning of something big. Take the night back in 1979 when Peter Colley's I'll Be Back Before Midnight was premiered. The story is famous now of how Colley, living in London, had stayed overnight in the East Wawanosh farmhouse of Festival founder James Roy and been spooked by the isolation and complete darkness of the country. Midnight, the play that resulted from that visit, spooked a lot more people that opening night and became the first really big, exported hit at the Festival. So excited was London Free Press critic Doug Bale that he came to the cast party with a % copy of the review he had phoned in to the paper. It predicted the play would end up on Broadway. Midnight never did play Broadway but its box office has grossed more than $8 million around the world from Australia to Romania, it was made into a movie, and changed the life of Colley forever. As if the first opening night wasn’t exciting enough, the play was remounted for the 1980 season and that night the audience was so loud in its applause (and foot stomping) at the curtain call that intercom communications between the stage management booth and the backstage crew was impossible. The opening of Midnight was the Festival’s second magical moment. The audience on July 9, 1975, the very first opening night, realized they had just witnessed the beginning of something big. They were right, of course. A quarter century later the Festival has placed an indelible mark on Canadian theate as a whole, and changed the face of the Village of Blyth. That kind of excited buzz that makes people want to stay and stay at the post-show opening night reception, was evident at the opening of Quiet in the Land, Anne Chislett’s story of conflict in an Amish family brought on by the stresses of World War 1. The audience was right in '"guessing they’d seen something very special. Quiet in the Land went on to win the Governor General’s Award for drama and be performed in most major theatres in Canada as well as in New York. Blyth Festival 2000 ‘Stolen Lives’ 206 Josephine St., Wingham (519) 357-2067 • Bridal Registry • Craft Supplies • Specialty Balloons • Silk Flowers • Wedding Cake Toppers MOMS' COUNTRY CRAFTS GREETING CARDS * CAKE PAN RENTALS V One Stop Party Shop V thomas'^r J r THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS Classes available afternoon & evenings 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 • Vitamins • Herbal Remedies • Organic Food • Sports Supplements • Healthy Snacks • Bulk Food • Body Care • Books • Children's Play Area Congratulations Blyth Festival on your 26th Season! 120 Inkerman St. E. Listowel 291-4920 222 Josephine St. Wingham 357-3466 168 Courthouse Square Goderich 524-5801 y Rice's WorkWear JrulS You will find an excellent selection of • Workwear & Boots • Non-Fiction Sweatshirts & T-Shirts • Unique appliqued recycled jean vests adult to infant sizes • and all the accessories you’ll need for a day in the work place. Watch for our Super Specials July 7, 8 & 9 during Piuc'Kin Fest Aug. 3-7 during Clinton’s Homecoming VISA, MG, AMEX, 1NTERAC Open Mon. - Sat. 9:30 a.m. ~ 5:30 p.m. 11 Victoria St., Clinton 482-8709 NOTE: Our I lullett location will be closed for the summer months.