HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-07-12, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2000.
Bly th season off to
generally good start
The first block of productions at
Blyth Festival, Anne and Corker,
have got the season off to a general
ly well-received start.
While the former receives consis
tently good reviews, the latter cre
ates a little more controversy among
critics.
Samantha Reynolds received
glowing reviews for her perform
ance as the young red-headed
orphan. Robert Reid of The
Kitchener-Waterloo Record says
Reynolds “hits the jackpot as Anne.”
“She successfully conveys the
four qualities that define Anne: her
irrepressible spirit, her intoxication
with language, her insistence on the
validity of the imagination and her
growing affection for Matthew and
Marilla.
James Reaney of The London
Free Press in discussing the play’s
attributes says Reynold’s perform
ance is “central to its success.”
The Focus's Shelley McPhee
Haist refers to Reynolds as being
vivacious, while Bonnie Gropp of
The Citizen called Reynolds
“enchanting.”
Reviewers generally had high
praise as well for the rest of the cast,
though Reid and Gropp did note a
weak link in Thomas Hauff as
Matthew. Reid said, “Hauff is
unable to give Matthew a sub
stance”, while Gropp said he seemed
unsuited to such a low-energy per
formance.
However, Helen Hewitt of The
Listowel Banner felt Hauff “recre
ates the Matthew we all remember.”
Terry Tweed as Marilla also
received praise from the reviewers.
“Tweed is the perfect foil for
Reynolds’s exuberance”, said
Reaney. “The moment when they
realize just how much they rely on
each other is a poignant one for the
audience.”
Reviewers also agreed that Anne
is excellent family entertainment,
with humour and poignancy.
Reaction to Wendy Lili’s Corker
was a little less consistent. While
Reid said “Lili proves that politics
and art can be compatible lovers”,
Spiritgathering opens
at Bainton Art Gallery
Spirit of time, spirit of place, spirit
of being. Open July 14, the latest
Blyth Festival art show
Spiritgathering combines the pho
tography of Robert Evans of Elora
and the pottery of Shirley Clifford of
Ingersoll.
“We thought that the abstract qual
ity of Robert’s photos would fit very
well with the raku and porcelain
pots of Shirley,” said Gallery exhibi
tion chair and curator Jerry
McDonnell.
After checking the tide tables for
the day Evans takes his camera to the
shores of Prince Edward Island.
Some ot his photographs are taken
from an airplane, focusing on the
Wear a hat to Doon’s special day
On Sunday, July 16 visit Doon
Heritage Crossroads and explore the
wonderful world of hats as the farm
ers and villagers show off what was
fashionable and practical at the turn
of the century.
In 1914 a lady or gentleman didn’t
leave the house without a hat - prop
er etiquette required it! Today, we are
being advised to cover our heads
Jamie Portman of National Post
said, “..the social and political con
cerns raised by the play are valid
ones - and had the script actually
lived up to its satirical claims
Corker might have emerged as a
provocative and dramatically valid
piece of theatre. Instead we get tis
sue-thin characterizations and shal
low rhetoric, often delivered with
the subtlety of a sledgehammer.”
Jamie Robinson was given high
marks from reviewers for his turn as
a mentally-challenged young man.
However, while Portman called his
performance “persuasive” and
“carefully detailed”, the remaining
cast did not make the grade.
“Director Ross Manson seems to be
having problems finding the right
style for this play and the other per
formances suffer accordingly. They
range from the tentative to the brit
tle,” said Portman.
Rick Whelan of The Beacon-
Herald however, called the cast
“first-rate and Janice Becker of The
Citizen said the performances were
“wonderful”.
Though most reviewers noted the
political message behind the play
they believed it to be delivered well.
Sarah Caldwell for Focus said the
message does not come out “through
a sermon”.
Kevin Shillinglaw for The
Wingham Advance-Times writes
“this play takes a look at the uncar
ing part of society and shows how
even the most stubborn person can
be taught that life is more than dol
lars and cents.”
Whelan said the play raises social
conscience with “a great deal of
humour and introspection”.
Portman, however, said Lili “ham
mers home her point” by creating a
character whose job it is “to lecture
us about the dire consequences of
government cutbacks.”
Blyth’s next block of openings
begins July 25 with Michael
Healey’s award-winning The
Drawer Boy, followed Aug. I, by
Stolen Lives - The Albert Walker
Story, by Blyth favourite Peter
Colley.
tidal flats of the St. Peter’s Bay area,
while others are from locations in
Ontario or as far away as France. A
renowned music composer, Evans
transfers the melody, form, and
music to the line, colour and light of
photography.
For Clifford the complications of
living a fast-paced lifestyle are bal
anced by the quiet satisfaction of
exploring, discovering and creating
her pots. Clifford has been intrigued
with the art of^vessel-making for 30
years.
The fine pieces of Spiritgathering
will be exhibited in the Bainton
Gallery from July 14 to Aug. 5.
Admission is free.
whenever we are out in the sun for
health reasons. Hats and head cover
ings are very much back in fashion.
Bring a camera and get a picture
taken in a favourite hat fashion from
the turn of the century or bring your
own favourite hat.
A guaranteed fun-filled day for the
entire family at Doon Heritage
Crossroads from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Whitewater excitement
Members of the Blyth Venturers enjoyed a trip recently that included a whitewater rafting expe
rience. The group was accompanied by leaders Mike and Arden Scott. (Photo submitted)
Venturers take on rapids
Members of the First Blyth
Venturers spent from June 25 to 29
on a big adventure for which they
had raised funds for the past two
years.
They left Blyth on Sunday and
overnighted at Bonechere Provincial
Park, just east of Pembroke.
Monday morning they met Alastair
Baird of Canadian Voyageur
Adventures and put in at Pontiac,
Quebec.
From there they all paddled a 32
foot-Voyageur canoe, retracing a
route used by the original
Voyageurs. They paddled to Oiseux
(bird) Rock, where they hiked up a
500-foot cliff to a fresh, crystal clear
lake for a refreshing swim. Guide
Alastair, kept them spellbound with
stories of the typical Voyageur life.
Tuesday was an adrenaline-filled
whitewater rafting trip. Suffice to
say they got wet and swallowed lots
of water. Some even felt they should
Bread dough rising at Doon
The bread dough is rising and the
smell of fresh baked bread fills the
air!
Come to Doon Heritage
Crossroads on Sunday, July 23 and
use all of your senses to learn about
bread making at the turn of the cen
tury.
For hundreds of years bread has
been the staff of life and a staple in
homes everywhere. At the turn of
the century, bread was an important
part of every meal. Discover how
bread varied depending on availabil
ity of supplies, ethnic and cultural
heritage, personal taste and of
course, the skill of the baker.
Try your hand at kneading, see
how different recipes were used and
sample fresh bread as it comes out of
the oven. A guaranteed fun-filled
day for the entire family at Doon
Heritage Crossroads from 10 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
* Medic Alert
SPEAKS FOR YOU
www.medica I e r t . c a
have received a reduced rate as they
spent more time in the river than in
the rafts.
The water level was exceptionally
high, to be matched only by the
Venturers’ spirits. Their motto is
“CHALLENGE” and the rapids of
the Ottawa River certainly posed
one.
Venturers on the trip were Jen
Jackson, Nathan Hubbard, Adam
Jackson, John Storey, David Kelly,
Kyle Aldnch and advisors Mike and
Arden Scott.
The First Blyth Venturers
acknowledge those who supported
their fundraising endeavours in the
past and advisors Mike and Arden
Scott.
A spokesperson said, “As advi
sors, they have provided us with
numerous once-in-a-lifetime experi
ences. Their hard work has been
greatly appreciated by both
Venturers and other parents.
Welcome Home
Cowboys
Drew, Bryce & Chad
Lots of Love, TheGirls
Upc&tning. Ataviiape
Doug and Gerry Fortune
of Belgrave, Ontario
and
Bill and Joyce Diamond
of Guelph, Ontario
wish to announce the upcoming
marriage of their children
Julie Alanna
and
Gregory James
The wedding will take place in
the garden at the home of the
bride’s parents on July 22, 2000.
Graduation
Shaun Walker, son of Jack
and Lynn Walker graduated
with honours from the
University of Guelph - BSc
Environmental Science
program (Natural Resource
management with emphasis
in water management).
Shaun has accepted a
position with the regional
office of the MNR at Thunder
Bay. Congratulations, we. are
very proud of you, Dad, Mom,
Dean, Lauren & Erin