The Citizen, 2003-11-26, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2003.
Leadbetter to perform at Blyth Memorial Hall
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Like other babyboomers Tom
Leadbetter grew up listening to Don
Messer's Jubilee.
Now the Cape Breton tenor
delights audiences with his
rendering of the songs made popular
by the Jubilee’s Charlie
Chamberlain.
Leadbetter is one of several
perfomers stirring memories with
the Don Messer Jubilee Christmas,
which will be in Blyth Memorial
Hall at 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
Don Messer’s Jubilee was a huge
hit in the early 1960s, playing
Monday night on CBC and
attracting four million fans. The
half-hour musical’s fiddler Messer,
Chamberlain, Marg Osborne and
announcer Don Tremaine were
household names.
Leadbetter is quick to note that no
one in the show attempts to imitate
the original stars, but rather pay
homage to the music that was so
much a part of Jubilee. “As soon as
they start the opening strains, people
are transported back.”
Even Chamberlain’s son Don
approves, said Leadbetter, adding
that the two have become good
friends. ‘After seeing the show, he
said it’s the songs and the memories
we’re evoking.” While the 5’5”
Leadbetter falls short of the
imposing Chamberlain, hearing the
music, Don told him, makes him
think of his Dad. “He doesn’t see me
up there.”
Leadbetter became part of the
tribute when it began in 1995.
Tremaine and Barbara Martin got
together that year to do a tribute
show. Auditions were held and
Leadbetter was hired.
He is now the last of the group, he
said, noting that Tremaine left in
1999.
The Christmas tour this year
began in Belleville last Sunday, then
finishes on Dec. 16 in Keswick. It
picks up again after Christmas and
without the seasonal music heads
out west.
At two hours in length, the show,
which is sold out in Blyth, should be
a trip to nostalgia for many. But
while Leadbetter jokes that the
audience demographic is primarily
“70-year-olds and their 90-year-old
parents” there are also plenty of
young people in attendance.
“There are not many shows like
this for older people, but I can look
out and see a range of people from
age six to 95. And it’s great to see
the look on the grandchildren’s faces
as they look at their grandparents’
faces.”
After the show, audiences have a
chance to chat with the stars in the
lobby. “We sign CDs but a lot of
folks just want to talk .”
For Leadbetter, with Charlie’s
signature bowler hat and cane, the
experience is just as much of a thrill.
“We are having a ball. I can hardly
wait to get on stage.”
“Bringing alive these memories of
a simpler time. It’s a unique show to
be involved in.”
And the winner is ...
50h Wedding^nniversary
Pat & Pearl Mason
invites you to a Come & Go in celebration of their
50th Wedding Anniversary
on Saturday, December 6th
1 pm - 4 pm at Hullett Central Public School in Londesboro
Best Wishes Only!
Introducing
Our Travel Specialists
for expert advice call...
St. Joseph’s school’s Grade 3/4 teacher Cathy Drennan won the new Vibe in the Blyth
Festival’s fundraising draw. From left: Mabel Wheeler, festival board representative; Eric
Coates, artistic director; 17 of Drennan’s students; Drennan; Mae Raynard, who drew the
ticket. (News Record photo)
Blyth Singers perform at United
HELEN GRAF
Thailand / Malaysia
JUNE BALL
Portugal
JENNY SMALE
Australia
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
Come and see exciting
entertainment and hear peaceful
music at the Blyth United Church on
Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. for Christmas in
Early Canada featuring the Blyth
Festival Singers.
Although the group will be
singing in Goderich one week
earlier, their performance in Blyth is
a different program involving
readings from some of Canada’s
first Christmases.
Rev. Eugen Bannerman with the
Blyth United Church, said he invited
the singing group to perform at the
church last spring. After discussing
Christmas at
Doon Heritage
Crossroads
The village is decked out in all its
Christmas finery as Doon Heritage
Crossroads prepares to celebrate the
holiday season with Country
Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 7. 14
and 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Escape the rat race of the malls
and experience what Christmas was
like at the last turn of the century. A
visit to Doon comes complete with
a horse-drawn wagon ride, hot
apple cider, carol singing in the
Freeport Church and Father
Christmas.
it with their executives and the choir,
the Blyth Festival Singers decided to
perform for a special service at
Christmas time.
“1 told them, people in Blyth
would like to hear you perform in
Blyth,” said Bannerman.
The 40 to 50 Festival Singers will
begin with three songs, followed by
the Christmas readings, and
finishing off with the Singers again
performing three more songs.
The Christmas readings will
include the First Christmas in
Canada, Canada’s first grotto or
creche, Canada's first carol and
Canada’s Apostle to the North.
A dramatized reading will be
performed by the Blyth United
Drama Group that consists of five
Blyth youths, Wyatt Bearss,
Brandilyn Bearss, Amelia Carter-
Brown, Chelsea Carter-Brown and
Amanda Bearss.
When the service is completed,
guests are invited to the basement
for refreshments.
No tickets are necessary and
donations will be accepted at the
door.
6W, Please Recycle
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FRI. DECEMBER 12,2003 - 7pm
MEMORIAL HALL - BLYTH
I ickets available at Blyth Festival Office;
Blyth General Store; Ernie King's Music
(Goderich &: Wingham); Dixie Lee in Clinton.
Credit Card Orders: 1-800-465-7829