The Citizen, 2005-08-11, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2005. PAGE 19.
Entertainment ft Leisure __
Theatre review
Playwright’s life definitely a story to tell
Dilemma
From left: Suzanne Roberts Smith, Lisa Norton and Nancy Beatty discuss the future in The
Thirteenth One by Denyse Gervais Regan. The show opened at Blyth Festival Aug. 5. (Terry
Manzo photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
In every life there is a story to tell.
Denyse Gervais Regan was wise
enough to put hers to paper and
blessed enough to see it reborn.
Regan’s autobiographical first
play. The Thirteenth One premiered
at Blyth Festival on Friday night to a
packed house, many of whom were
members of the playwright’s large
family.
The story begins in a western
Canadian farm during the
Depression. Regan’s parents’
struggle to pay their mortgage and to
feed, clothe and care for their 12
children.
Though a loving and gentle
| OPEN OUSE
for friends
& neighbours
|* Phyllis
Thompson
celebrating 80
years young
K Sunday, Aug. 14
from 4-7 pm
Woodlands Links
Golf Clubhouse
\ Best Wishes Only
mother, Mary Louise is frightened
by the thought of another pregnancy.
Concern for their finances and her
health has prompted her to use the
only method of birth control she
knows — moving out for the
bedroom she shares with her
husband.
That is until her friend Annette
tells her about rhythm and shortly
thereafter she finds herself expecting
the 13th child (in reality Regan) and
considers drastic measures to sustain
her existing family.
Another conflict within the story
is the relationship between Mary
Louise and her mother, who
abandoned her when she was four.
Life is nifty
after 50
Happy Birthday
Bill
August 6
Love your family
and friends
She arrives to help her daughter and
long-held grudges emerge.
The cast, which includes 10
talented local children, is wonderful.
Suzanne Roberts Smith gives a
beautiful performance as Mary
Louise, while Mark Harapiak is
solid as her hard-working husband.
Sharon Heidt with a charming
performance as Annette brings life
and good humour to the production.
Jdappy 1st
Anniversary
August 14th
Shawn $Jen jficholson
(nee Machan)
Love,
The Machan and Nicholson
families
The always wonderful Nancy Beatty
as Grandmaman conveys a warmth
and sensitivity that is both
comforting and humble. Even before
knowing why she deserted her child,
you like her.
Lisa Norton as Mrs. Daye and Ken
Munday as eldest son Louis and the
priest are effective.
The children, all remarkably
poised and suitably adorable round
out the cast.
First-time director Michelle Fisk
has created a quiet production, one
that moves assuredly, and safely.
With no gimmicks or tricks. The
Thirteenth One moves along at a
steady pace, to both its benefit and
its detriment While the production
was enjoyable, if there was one
complaint it was that it somehow
failed to arouse in me any real
emotion.
Perhaps it was, that like the lullaby
Please join us
to help celebrate
Helen Cardiff's
80th Birthday
Saturday, August 20 2-4
i Maitland Valley
i Conservation Area in Brussels
(by the dam)
Best wishes only
Please bring a
lawn chair
i
r *
b 0
»•.
that begins it. The Thirteenth One is
meant only to soothe, to bring a
smile to your face, a warmth to your
heart. Nothing more. This is a story
of admirable people and there is
magic and gentleness in its telling.
Congratulations
to
Veronica (Glanville)
Stevenson
on receiving your
Bachelor of Accounting
Science Degree from the
University of Calgary
■< Love from your family v
Happy
70th
Birthday
George
Love your
family &
friends
T