HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-06-26, Page 16Entertainment
Barndance Live:
BY DAVID SCOTT
Expositor Editor
A rip-snortin', toe-tappin',
hoe-down of a good time.
No, that wasn't last week at
work. But it was the highlight
'of the week = the opening of
Blyth Festival's Barndance
Live! Friday night.
This lively entertaining
play celebrates the local tour-
ing radio show, "The CKNX
Barn Dance" and opens Blyth
Festival's 22nd season. And
if you listen carefully, you'll
hear the names of many arca
towns including Scaforth in
the fast -paced dialogue.
This collective play was
developed by director Paul
Thompson with the help of
improvisational ideas and
dialogue from the performers
who studied the history of the
show and its characters.
"Bashful .Boy," "John
Thomas" and "Flying Pig" •
arc just a few of the jokes out
of context -(hut I don't want
to give them away).
Actor John Wright (Safe
Haven, The Old Man :e Band
& The Glorious 1211x) intro-
duces thc play and takes a
background role to the antics
of cast Raoul Bhancja, Eric
Coates, Andrew Dolha,
Carolyn Hay. Gary Muir and
Jack Nicholson who do a
tremendous job of portraying
Barn Dance legends Doc
Cruickshank - CKNX
founder, fiddler Al Chcrney,
Earl Heywood, MC Johnnie
Brent, Ernie King, Cactus
Mac,VLarry Mercey and
more. -
Chamcicon Carolyn Hay is
amazing in her many charac-
is down-home fun
.HOWDY STRANGER -In this scene•from the 1996 Blyth Festival production of
Barndance Li !, singerLarryMercey (actor Eric Coates), left, meets fiddler Al Cherny
(actor Jack Ni holsen) at a CKNX Bann Dance show. (Photo by James Hockings)
tcrs of Barrularue fame.
Musical director and fiddler
Anne Lederman must 'be
commended for her breath-
less fiddling and energetic
musical mix.
The walk-ons featuring
local talent didn't miss a
beat.
If there was an NHL draft
for step -dancers, the "Family
Ties" would he first round
picks. The three giris arc
dynamite dancers who move
faster than, hummingbirds in
a hurricane.
There's -something ' for
everyone in this production.
For those too young to
remember the names of Barn
Dance regulars, the racy
humour and punchy dialogue
will keep you entertained.
Afterall, these CKNX leg-
ends are portrayed as young
performers making thcir first
musical marks. Therc.'.s
doubt, confidence, jitters, tal-
ent and humour all rolled
together in thc transformation
from first, time performers to
scasimed "Ranch Boys."
Stratford Festival
Bedford holds audience spellbound
as Salieri in Shaffer's Amadeus
Wolfgang's career at every
'BY DAViD SCOTT turn. .
Expositor Editor But' he can't compete with
, Mozart's,magic.
It's more than play. It's a A high-strung. stream -of -
spiritual struggh. • consciousness, absurd
It's not fair iu Li} .poser Amadeus is portrayed.. by
Salicri (played impeccably by.' Stephen Ouirriettc. And
Brian Bcdford again this sea- music to him .isn't work ,
_ son) that God has chosen the . marriage -is, -though. A
.vulgar Wolfgang Amadeus spunky, enduring Constanc
Mozart through, which to Wchcr (Colombo Demers)
share his music with the puts up with Mozart's con -
world. R's especially bitter scant antics and fidelity.
whcn Salieri prays and prays James Blendick turns in a
and is willing to he God's good pompous performance
servant when Mozart spends ' as Joseph 1i, Emperor of
a hedonistic life. seemingly . Austria who frequently com-
void of morals. missions operas from
Stratford Festival's produc- • •European composers. Salicri
tion of Amadeus is a spell- is his court composer, who at
binding flashback told by the ,time out -shined Mozart
crusty• old Salicri who but during his narration is
addresses the audience direct- now a bitter old man, all hut
ly as "ghosts of the future.", forgotten as Mozart's music
He narrates through the past gains more and more popu-
to his first meeting with larity around the world.
.Mozart and how he continu- As he says, he's lived long
ously tries to sabotage young enough to sec his own
• demise.
The cunning composer con-
tinuously feasts on Mozart's
weaknesses, exploiting him
when he's most vulnerable
and even: disguising himself
as the ghost of Leopold
Mozart to add to Wolfgang's
misery and submerge him -
further into madness. It's
almost pathetic to watch
Amadeus continue to strug-
glc through desperate illness,
composing brilliant music
right up until his premature
death.
if there is any sense to be
made in the story, written by
Peter Shaffer, it's from the
narrator and rival Salicri.
Bedford carries his role and
this production with groat
irony, subtlety and convic-
tion.'I-iis lonely figure -on
stage at the end of both acts
literally burns an unforget-
table image in your mind.
Amadeus runs at the
Festival Theatre until
November 1.
Muirs win mixed pairs tournament
CONTINUED from page 6
won by Isabel Annis and
Mary Higgins of Mitchell.
Saturday, June 22 saw 15
greens in play for Seaforth's
first mixed pairs tournament.
First place winners were Jack
and Marie Muir of Seaforth
with 3w + 47. Second was
Bob Thompson and Doris
Hackney of Exeter with 3w +
42. Darlene and George
Woods of St. Marys were
third and fourth was Roy
Triehner and Audrey
Burrows of Exeter. Fifth
place . went to Bert and
Christine Wydcven of St.
Marys. Sixth was Ncil and
Edna Bell of Seaforth.
Consolation prize wcnt tri
London's John and Mac
Weekes of the Fairmont'Cluh
with 21 points.
Seaforth bowlers have been
active .in out-of-town tourna-
ments. In a- mixed trebles at
Atwood Jack and Marie Muir
and Thelma Coombs were
third. in Exeter men's pairs
Fred Tilley and Doug
Leonhardt placed fourth
while at Mitchell men's pairs,
Brett Finlayson and his dad
Art also won fourth prize. In
optional singles at Goderich
Brett Finlayson was third and
Doug Leonhardt fifth. Last
Monday was Senior Gamcs
Lawn Bowling at Exeter
Greens and Seaforth's team
of Art Finlayson (lead), Mary
Finlayson (vice) and Thelma
Coombs (skip) placed 2nd
winning the silver pins in
lawn bowling. We are sorry
to report Thelma Coombs has
been in Stratford Hospital
Clown class graduates Saturday
A class of clowns graduates
Saturday at Godcrich.
"After weeks of homework
and diligent practice the
Children's Aid Society
clowns arc ready to be
released to do their stuff,
spreading the message of
good will through humour
across the country," says a
release from the local agency.
"The 20 graduates have
decided to form a 'Clown
Alley'. We understand this
new group will he thc first
Clown Alley sponsored by a
Children's Aid Society in
Canada, and possibly in
North America."
since last Thursday and her
many friends wish,her well at
this time. Good bowling to
all.
CENTRALIA • HURONPARK LIONS"
GING
11
PLACE: Huron Park Rec. Centre
DATE: Sunday, June 30,1996
TIME: 1:OOP.M. - Doors open al 12 noon
$1,000 JACKPOT MUST GO
NOM SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED)
Stag & Doe
for
Dan Furlong
Lois Binnendyk
Saturday,
July 6, 1996
8 p.m.
. Tickets
$8.00
Age of Majority
Required
For more info call...
527-2821
Barndance .Live! is an •
evening of down-home fun
that shouldn't .he missed by
anyone who grew up (or is
just growing up) in "these
here parts."
•
For more information, call
the 'Blyth Festival- box office •
at (519) 523-930t).
McMaster
Siemon .
INSURANCE
/"‘, BROKERS INC.
'AUTO 'HOME 'FARM
•TRAVEL 'COMMERCIAL
'LIFE INSURANCE
BROKERS:
Bill Siemon
- Vicki Siemon
' Anette McTaggart
Dan Proctor
68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150
Mitchell' 1-800-561-0183
CONGRATULATIONS
On June 7, 1996, Sherri
Bennett graduated on
the Dean's Honour Roll
from the . Nufsing
Program at Lambton
College, Sarnia. Sherri
has • accepted a
Registered Nurse's
position at Sarnia
General Hospital, ICU
Dept. She is the
daughter of Roland &
Donna Bennett of RR
45, Sea forth.
Best Wishes .from your
family and friends
Starting Wed.. July 3 -
19' WING NITE
Thursdays
Music starts at 9 pm
LADIES' NITE
Ball Hockey Players Specials
Canada Weekend
Party
Friday Nite Only •
1st . earance in the area
BALANCE
"The Ultimate Tribute to New Van
Haien'
$5 at the door
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
. CANADA!
Hwy 8 wast. Clinton
482-1234 J
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, dun. ZS, 1t1/S-1$
Connections strengthen between
Conestoga and Huron Board
According to a June. 12
media release, "easier access
to post -secondary education
opportunities for residents of
Huron County," is why dis-
cussions have opened. to
SENIOR GAMES
POT LUCK
The Seaforth Senior
Gaines Committee
invites all participants,
• guests and friends to
their annual Potluck -
Awards banquet. -
Wed., June 26 - 6:00 pm
at the Seaforth Legion
Please remember to
bring your own dishes &
cutlery as well as a main
dish or dessert.
Call 527-0882 for more
information. -
BRODHAGEN
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE
ANNUAL
CHICKEN
BAR=B-QUE
Wednesday, July 17, 1996
at
Brodhagen Hall
4.:30 - 7:30 pm
Adults - $8.00
Children - $4.00
Tickets at the door
Take-out available
GRADUATION
Michael Axtmann, son of
Jim and Ruth Axtmann,
brother of Linda, Bob, Carol
and Kenneth, graduated
from Brock University, St.
Catharines, Ontario on June
14, 1996 with a Bachelor of
Science Geology and
Geography). Congrat-
ulations from your family.
Elvin & Nancy Parker of
Clinton are very pleased
and proud to announce the.
graduation of their daughter
Karen McCullough
from the Respiratory
Therapy Program (with
honours) from Fanshawe
College in London.
Congratulations Karen!
Now you'll be an R.N.,
R.R.T. Excellent work!
Love, your family
Joan Kerslake graduated
with distinction from
Althouse College.
the Faculty of Education
in London
Friday June 7, 1996
Joan is the daughter of
Bill & Freda Kerslake of
Staffa. She previously
attended Wilfrid Laurier
University. Mitchell
District High School and
. Upper -Thames
Elementary School.
Congratulations and Best
of Luck from your family
and friends.
strengthen connections
between the Huron County
Board of Education and the
Conestoga College of
Applied Arts and
Technology. -
SUNDAY
SPEC
JUNE 30,5 to 7B1
-1114
ROAS
BEEF ill���
DINNER 'i'
*65° �J!V
6 .
SPARKY'S
LACE
AMILY DINING
527-1964
SSeealorthSt. 1�;�`'-'"O
BUCK & DOE
for
DEB VAN LOON
& .
• DALE McCARTHY
Sun. June 30/96
B.B.Q
(all you can eat)
3:00 pm - 1100 am
Age of Majority
Tickets -
Call: 345-2942
or 348-4175
June 29th
Love: Mommy & Daddy
GRADUATION
DAVID HAROLD MENHEERE
John and Karen are
pleased to announce the
recent graduation of theft
son David from the
University of Western
Ontario. David received a
Bachelor of Engineering
Science degree. He was on
the Dean's Honour List.
Congratulations on your
achievements and best
wishes for continued
success and happiness.
Love from your family
and friends
HOLY COW
NESBITT'S 40
(Graham Nesbitt) ..
l,q
b
1
GRADUATION
DAVID HAROLD MENHEERE
John and Karen are
pleased to announce the
recent graduation of theft
son David from the
University of Western
Ontario. David received a
Bachelor of Engineering
Science degree. He was on
the Dean's Honour List.
Congratulations on your
achievements and best
wishes for continued
success and happiness.
Love from your family
and friends