The Huron Expositor, 1994-06-22, Page 13COMMERCIAL
HOTEL
Seaforth 527-0980
Entertainment
TIM CUMMING PHOTO
BACK IN THE BARN - Ted Johns, well-known to area theatre goers, is back in the barn for his popular
play, He Won't Come In From The Barn, billed as an agricultural comedy for cynical times.
Actor shares stage with cows
BY TIM CUMMING
Expositor Editor
`Never act in a play with animals
(or children) because you might get
upstaged.'
It may be one of the oldest rules
of theatre but Ted Johns says he's
not afraid of playing second -fiddle
to a barnyard animal.
"If people want to laugh at the
animals, fine, if they're more enter-
taining than me, that's great," says
the Seaforth-born actor -playwright,
who will once again be starring in
a play with a cast including two
cows and three pigs.
Johns' roly-poly face lights up as
he talks about Ile Won't Come In
From the Barn, the popular farm
comedy which is returning to the
Blyth Festival this season.
, Coming hack to the Blyth Festival
with his wife (Artistic Director
Janet Amos) has brought him a
slight case of ddjia vu.
"I'm back at that time when the
kids were little...I keep thinking
I've got to go to day care or base-
ball," he said in an interview.
Ile Won't Come In From The
Barn is the story of Aylmer Clark,
a farmer who stays in the barn as
he tries to determine where he fits
into life in the '90's. For Ted
Johns, who hasn't played the part
for about 10 years, his perspective
on the character has changed. He
says he's starting to see a gentler
side to the old farmer.
"My respect for him has jumped
tenfold, in part because I realize the
people of his generation will never
come again."
When Ted Johns first acted in his
play he was more like the upstart
son, Wayne. Today, he can better
imagine the self-evaluation Aylmer
goes through.
I'm a lot closer to his proper
age," said the 51 -year-old play-
wright. "If I do this part in 10 or 20
years I'll finally be the right age."
While father and son friction
forms part of the play's action
Aylmer also has a sense of aging
with which Johns can relate.
"There comes a time when the
policemen arc younger than you
are, when the guy who gives you a
traffic ticket I(r)ks like he's just out
of high school," says the play's
writer and star.
Rural and urban audiences alike
can - appreciate the crisis in
Aylmcr's life.
"It's not just farmers that feel that
way in a stage of their life," notes
Johns.
The show, which previews on
Junc 28 and runs in repertory until
GRADUATION
LINDA McLEAN
Wane Rumford, of RR I.
Dublin is proud to announce the
graduation of his fiancee, Linda
McLean. daughter of Marcel &
Jeannine of 'Ii1lsonhurg who
graduated on Junc 16, 1994 from
Fanshawc Cnticgc with a degree
in Early Childhood Education.
('ongratiilations Linda!
Love, Wayne, Sherry Lynn,
future in-laws fiord & Lorraine
and Fran. Jim & Roseanne
1
HUSBAND AND WIFE - Janet Amos and Ted Johns are husband
and wife both on and off the stage. Here Rose tries to get Aylmer
to see a play. In He Won't Come In From The Barn.
DIRECTOR AND STAR - Paul
Come In From The Barn at the
of the play's stars.
Sept. 2, was inspired by Paul
Thompson, who is directing this
production.
Behind his tweed jacket, Johns'
rural roots are evident as he laments
the declining number of old barns
in the area.
"They are a unique architecture in
the world," he enthuses. "We're the
only place with wood on a big
enough scale."
Johns attended high school in
Mitchell but he has a long associ-
ation with Huron County. The
playwright's father drove a milk
cart through Seaforth streets. He
grew up on a farm between
Seaforth and Clinton, which is
currently owned by Stanley Johns.
(A jacket once worn by Stanley's
late father, Howard, will be worn
by Ted in the play).
Ted Johns is well-known in the
Mitchell, Seaforth and Hullett
Township areas. The cherub -faced
man, who is also directing The
SHERRY -LYNN
(lord & Lorraine Rumford of RR #1
Glanworth (formerly of Scaforth
arca) are proud 10 announce the
graduation of their (laughter, Sherry -
Lynn. on Junc 16, 1994 from
Fanshawe College with a degree in
Early Childhood Education.
Sherry Lynn has accepted s position
with the YM -YWCA of London in
one of their day care centres.
Congratulations Sherry Lynn!
tore Mom Dad,
Wayne & Linda,
Fran rG .Lim rfc Roseanne
TIM CUMMING PHOTO
Thompson, director of He Won't
Blyth Festival, is shown with one
Black Bonspiel of Wullie
MacCrimmon at Blyth, has been
making his living in the theatre
since 1973.
In discussing Aylmer's story he
talks of a King being removed from
his castle. He talks of farmers
whose labours created a school
system and built up the towns only
to be told they're no longer needed.
Quoting his play, he says "we
want to have freeways, housing
developments, a huge tax base...we
want to be like KITCHENER!"
It becomes evident from talking
to Johns, who tends to spontaneous-
ly erupt with giddy emotion, there
is some method to his madness. It
seems apparent that Ile Won't
'Come In From The Barn is part
farce and part parable about a
changing way of life.
"The generosity of these old
guys...they gave us the earth and
we owe them something," he says.
DUCK 8 DOE
for
JIII Wheatley
James Watson
Fri. June 24th
8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Mitchell
Tickets: 348-4816
CROMARTY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Anniversary Service
Sunday, June 26
7:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker:
Bruce Whitmore,
MDHS Librarian
batch will be served
following the service
1
1
recreation
preview
by Marty Bedard
Fun events on
Canada Day
Seaforth will be host to some
fun and exciting events on
Canada Day (Friday, July 1,
1994). To begin the day, come
out and enjoy the Annual
Firemen's Breakfast beginning at
7:00 a.m. After the breakfast
come and enjoy the Heritage
Walk Poker Rally sponsored by
the Recreation Department and
LACAC beginning at 10:00 a.m.
from Victoria Park. Prizes will
be awarded for High and Low
hands. The walk will finish at
the Victoria Park where you will
be able to enjoy some entertain-
ment in the bandshell. The day
will finish with the Giant Fire-
works Display at the high school
at darkness.
The Seaforth Recreation
Department will be hosting its
summer programs again this
summer at the Seaforth Agricul-
tural Exhibition Building. This
year the department will have
playschool (children ages 6 - 8
years old), and the playground
(children ages 9 - 12 years old).
The program will also be wel-
coming back `Snoopyschool'
children this year (children ages
3 - 5 years old). The summer
programs will be held from July
4 to August 19. The program
runs from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. each
day although supervision will be
offered one hour before and one
hour after each day for an extra
cost. Registration for the above
summer programs can be done
by dropping into the recreation
office inside the Arena Monday
to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
noon. For more information you
can call the Recreation Office at
527-0882.
Senior Shuffleboard continues
every Wednesday aftemoon from
1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Last week's
winners were:
Women:
Audrey McLean 349
Ina Scoins 259
Velma Preszcator 249
Men:
Ken Preszcator 310
Bruce McLean 291
Oliver Pryce 176
The Seaforth Men's Fastball
Tournament will be held this
weekend at the Lions and Opti-
mist Parks. Teams from all over
Southwestern Ontario will be
participating. If you have some
free time drop by and watch the
exciting action.
Walton
by Patty Banks
887-6860
Mrs. Helen Hazelwood, from
Hamilton, visited this past week
with Viola Kirkby. She met many
old friends.
Marie McGavin greeted people at
Duff's United on June 19. Rev.
Randy Banks welcomed everyone
and pointed out his favorite cartoon
in the bulletin. It had a picture of a
man and woman getting ready for
church and the caption read, "Hurry
up, we've got to get to church early
or we won't get a back seat." He
also announced . that Bluevale will
be hosting a Vacation Bible school
July 4 -8th from 9:30 - 12.
Every Wednesday Night
LINE DANCING
Every Thursday
SPOILED ROTTEN
WOMEN'S NIGHT
• "SPECIALS" FOR ALL LADIES
• WIN GIFT CERTIFICATES FROM
ANNA'S DRESS SHOPPE in Seaforth
Friday
WARNER BROTHERS
FREE WILLY PARTY
• A NIGHT AT THE. MOVIES
• T-SHIRTS
• GIFT CERTIFICATES TO
W(X)DIAND DRIVE-IN
• T1X TO THE. 'TRAGICALLY
HIP- on Canada Day in Barrie
Saturday
C0 1 BROTHERS
"Hot Top Rock 'n Roll Act"
Next Thursday
CANADAIS BIRTHDAY
BASH
Tuesday, July 5
PT EVER JONNYMORE OPEN
Friday, Jul 8
ROAD APPLES
317 Ham Si.
diger tl) (IJ TOM 482.1234
•
THE HURON IXPOSITOR, Jun* 22, 1994-13
Horticultural
group holds area
garden tour
Seaforth and District Horticul-
tural Society will be hosting a
garden tour of five local gardens
on Sunday, June 26 from 12:30-
4:00. Tickets will be sold at
Seaforth Public School starting
at 12:00 on the day of the event.
Refreshments will also be served
at the school.
Rain date for the garden tour
will be July 10. For more infor-
mation call Nancy Kale at 345-
2908.
A7 "I EN'I ION CRAFTERS\
—Title Jut ied-.
Outdoor Craft
Festivals
IN e(e /(i.e:t ej 7auslet ecoNNa y
MARINA PARK FORT ELGIN
July 23/24
KELSO BEAcII OWEN SOUND
August 6/7
VIcroRIA PARK KINCARDINE
August 13/14
LIMITED SPACE
still available. Call now.
1-800-214-5855
The Devil's Curling
In Blyth This Summer!
See Him in
THE BLACK BONSPIEL
OF WULLIE MACCRIMMON
BLYTH FESTIVAL
Get Your Tickets Early!
(519)523.9300
GRADUATION
LEANNE DOLMAGE
Leanne Dolmage graduated from
the three year Child & Youth
Worker Program at Fanshawe
College on June 16. Proud par-
ents are Neil & Loretta
Dolmage. Leanne is employed
part-time at Roharis School in
London.
Love & Best Wishes in all your
future endeavors,
from Family & Friends.
GROOVE
GANG
COUNSELLING
• Marriage
• Family
• Personal Growth
• Learning Disabilities
BRIAN O'REILLY, o.s.w.
160 Huron St.
CUNTON
482-9249
McLaughlin
Chev-Olds Ltd.
13 Main St. Seaforth. 527-1140
•Service •Selection •Savings
•Satisfaction -Leasing
•Complete BODY SHOP Service
SPARKY'S PACE
cior46, FAMILY
--i DINING
HAM STEAK
DINNER
$5 95
■
Includes Mashed Potatoes or Fries,
Vegetables, Coleslaw, Dinner Roll,
Coffee or Tea & Dessert
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 5 - 7 pm
90 Main St., Seaforth 527-1964
50th Anniversary
Jack and Elizabeth (Lane)
Nicholson were married on
June 17, 1944.
The wedding took place
in their hometown of Seaforth_
at St. James R.C. Church. •
Jack and Elizabeth moved and
settled in the Cambridge area
in the early 1960's.
Jack was employed as a miller
at S. J. Cherry Mills and
Elizabeth managed the cash
office at Sears, Kitchener.
They celebrated their 50'
Anniversary with a fancily gar-
den party at their home at
14 Banat Rd.. Cambridge
Love and Best Wishes from
Gayle. Ron, Pat. Tom. and their
families
DANNY DEVITO
IIENAISSANCE
FRI.-THURS., JUNE 24-30
FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9:15 pm
SUN.-THURS. 8 pm
(�
;Willi
LONG DISTANCE') CALL 1.800.2b5.3438 FOR TOIL FREE MOVIE INFO
SEAFORTH MANOR
STRAWBERRY
SOCIAL
SATURDAY JUNE 25, 1994
2:00to4:00PM
82.50 per person
CHUMS (Central Huron Mobility Service)
will be on display R providing Iransporta•
lion to & from the strawberry social. For a
rl(Ie call Bev at 482-5666 or Scaforth
' Q Manor at 527.0030 Rus courtesy of
Overland Custom Coach
4