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BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28/29, 2006. Paul Thompson: director tackles written script By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor This season at Blyth Festival Paul Thompson is trying something he's not typically known for — working with a script. Thompson has made a name for himself internationally as a pioneer of the collective process. In a collective, Thompson, as director and the actors develop a play through improvisation, research and direct interaction with a subject. Through this he has brought to the Blyth stage such revoluntionary work as The Outdoor Donnellys, Death of a Hired Man and Barn Dance Live. For the 2006 season, however, Thompson is directing Lost Heir written by Sean Dixon. "Sean has worked with me as an actor and I really liked his first play 44 Victoria St. S., Goderich about 12 years ago, End of the World Romance. I thought it was absolutely wonderful piece and that he should try another." The timing was finally right. "He has lived in Blyth, having worked a few seasons there now, so is more in touch with the community." Thompson said that Dixon had become intrigued by the Mennonites and had heard a story of a girl dancing in a theatre against her father's wishes. "It may or may not be true, but it got his imagination going," said Thompson. Then other elements were brought into the story. "I introduced him to the mystic character, who bears a fairly strong resemblance to Vera McNichol of Millbank." Dixon came up with a script and suggested Thompson as director. "I guess that was because I helped him with some of it." A bit, perhaps, like he does when preparing a collective? "No, absolutely not. Not a word of this, not a scene of it is from me. It's very different from the way I've worked." It's not to suggest either that the noted director has never directed from a script before. He has worked with playwright/actor Ted Johns on a number of porjects. "But it's a much more visceral form of development when you're working with Ted. There are a huge number of drafts." Working with a script does pose different challenges, said Thompson. "You have to use different muscles. In fact you have to forget certain muscles. You're coming to the preparation very, very differently." In a collective creation, he Hours of operation Tues. - Fri. 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Sat. 9:30 am - 3 pm Special Appoiritments Available explains, there will be a whole series of problems and the director and actor will find the answers in development. "In this I have a sense of the answers, but I want the actors to get as much out of the play as possible." Thompson has, however, used bits and pieces of the collective process to authenticate the play. "I've been able to drag Sean and the designer , into some field work adventures. I want things to be as authentic as possible." Thompson's aunt, who had taught at a Mennonite school many years ago, helped him find a farmhouse to visit. "She had kept up connections and arranged a tour for us." Seeing the people in their own environment allowed them to see a lifestyle and qualities that will be helpful in terms of doing the show, said Thompson. The excursions also offered some unique and surprising experiences. "We met up with this Amish woman who spontaneously began to sing one of the most beautiful hymns I've ever heard." Thompson hoped that once rehearsals had begun he would be able to arrange some field trips for the actors as well. "As much as I can haul them out." Creating these opportunities for playwrights like Dixon is what makes Blyth such an extraordinary place, "Blyth has a magic all its own. Toronto, for example, does get a lot of new work done, but it's very cyclical. My experience in Blyth is that there's an atmosphere that supports this new work. They're all rooting for that. In Toronto it could get lost." "And it's a big risk for a small theatre to do this kind of work. But they understand that and just go with it." What it means for playwrights is an opportunity. "I think it would be difficult to premier Lost Heir anywhere else because it's so connected with this community. It has increased Sean's fascination with Blyth and it's natural for it to happen here." Using different `muscles' Renowned for his collective creations, Paul Thompson takes on a written script in directing Sean Dixon's Lost Heir Watii Mews lie aide In Stifle BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR See au* huge &election of • Bridal Gowns • Bridesmaids, Flower Girls • Mothers' Outfits • Special Occasion & Guest Wear • Prom & Graduation • All Accessories All at affordable pricing! 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