HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-06-28, Page 5Sk/f4"7<'ve- _
Music (1993) Ltd.
"The Complete Music Source
for the Amateur or Professional"
326 Josephine St. 70 The Square
Wingham Goderich
357-2811
524-4689
Wishing the Blyth Festival many more
successful seasons!
BLYTH PRINTING INC.
"The Little Shop that Can!"
Specializing in full colour priniing
Serving Blyth and area since 1938
Phone 519-523-9211
\ 7a:4944m 94 & ea,d4:49, ea
Jamestown Rd , Wingham Jamestown
www.wgcc.onxa
* OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
* Licensed restaurant & patio
* Ladies - Tues. Night & Thurs. morning
* Men - Seniors - Wed. morning &
all Wed. night
* Lessons - Phone 524-4733
?31FLE,LY C A NA D L iv
Local purveyor of quality water, water products & services
perior Water Treatment Products & Services
Water Cooler Sale S Dental
Bottled Water Delivery Across Huron County
Reverse Osmosis, Distilled, Spring
$6.00 ea. $10.00 Refundable Deposit
In Store Bottle Fill Station & Sanitation
FREE Water Analysis
Factory Trained Installation of
Ultra Violet Disinfection
Iron Removal
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Distillers
Softeners
Maintenance to All Makes
27 Years of Experience
Email huronwater@hurtoatel.on,
224 Suncoast Drive East, Goderich, ON
877-490-7638 or 519-524-6929
Most often performed
Blyth Festival-created
play: I'll Be Back
Before Midnight
26 countries
47 of 50 U.S. states
BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28/29, 2006. PAGE 5.
In Tom's
Stompin' ground
Playwright David Scott earns
respect while visiting
with Stompin' Tom Connors
Stompin' Tom Connors and playwright David Scott play chess
during a visit to the legendary singer/songwriter's home.
By Carol Burns
Citizen staff
"After reading his biographies I
couldn't believe that a play about
him hadn't been done. There arc
amazing stories about him."
David Scott, playwright of The
Ballad of Stompin' Tom, read the
autobiographies several years ago
while staying at his brother's
cottage.
Fascinated about Stompin' Tom's
life, Scott eventually wrote a letter
to Connors asking for permission to
write a play about him.
"There was no response," Said
Scott, "But I thought, Stompin' Tom
knows nothing about me, so why
should he respond."
Scott said that he decided to take a
gamble and write the first half of the
play and send it to Connors.
"I sent Act I to him at the end of
February. When I heard nothing by
the middle of April, I thought that
was the end of it, he wasn't
interested," Scott mused.
"Near the end of April 1 received a
letter from Stompin' Tom telling me
that he couldn't make any promises
because he was negotiating a film
story of his life, but if I wanted to, I
could keep going."
"The play went through three
major rewrites. Finally I got a phone .
call from him. It made it all more
real," Scott stated. "He didn't want
many changes. He gave me creative
license to recreate dramatic
moments in his life."
"I am very happy that Tom agreed
to let me write this, "Scott said.
"Canada doesn't celebrate heroes.
He is Canada's Johnny Cash or
Woodie Guthrie.
"My play celebrates his life, time
on stage and his music," Scott said.
"Right from the beginning I told him
that he would be compensated for
the use of his music."
Scott speaks of Stompin' Tom
with great admiration, remarking at
how he overcame tremendous
challenges and deprivation and not
only survived but earned a legitimate
place in Canadian music.
"Many people see him as an
entertainer who sings funny songs,
but his songs are about our history,
our people and our politics," Scott
shared.
"Even today the character that
took him through his early years
shows. He is 70 years old and still
stands up for what he believes in."
"That is what the problem with the
CBC is. (Connors had a very public
fight with the broadcaster over a
show that didn't materialize.) He
didn't have a written contract. For
Tom, your word should stand."
At Thanksgiving Scott spent hours
with Stompin' Tom. He was amazed
at the breadth of Connors's
knowledge about Canadian history
and politics, as well as his skill at
chess and snooker.
"The first two games of chess he
trounced me in 10 minutes. The
third game, I lasted an hour, even
though I lost my queen in the first 10
minutes. Tom said I played well."
Scott said.
Along the way Scott mentioned
the project to Eric Coates who was
very interested. He had worked with
Coates during the production of his
first play There's Nothing in the
Paper.
Scott said that writing is an
isolating and solitary pursuit that he
does after his sons are in bed.
He contrasts that with the process
of seeing his plays performed.
"It is a wonderful process to see
your play become not just words on
a page, but to have life breathed into
the words," Scott said "It is exciting
and intimidating, a bit like having a
personal letter read aloud in public.
You leave yourself open."
Scott enjoys watching how a play
changes from night to night. "It is
fascinating to watch how the
audience's reaction changes the
chemistry of the actors. Live
theatre's spontaneity is exciting."
ALL GOLFERS WELCOME!
El P rf
'D
F
L
ab
'D
0 EJ
g,
smi . i
,
Blyth 523-4551
Weaned, tic ceag4atatate
the 20M gecttleat
Storemade Country Sausage
Storemade Beef Patties
Soup and Sandwich Counter
Carry Out Service In-town Deliveries
Cold Beer,
Wine, Spirits 12,:5(vu .d nt):
C.,Store
g,CIL
A EN Y
Hours & LOBO & Beer Store Hours: / M-W 8-7, T-F 8-8,
Sat. 8-6, Sun. 12-5
LP ET] E