Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-07-03, Page 18Mabelle Mabel soars in second act BY DAVID SC017 Expositor Editor Blyth Festival's production of Mabelle Mabe!, the love story of Alexander Graham Bei; and his wife Mabel Hubbard, is like the first suc- cessful flight of an airplane in Canada over Baddeck Bay. It takes some time to get mov- ing and then it soars. Although Bell is known worldwide for his invention of the telephone, this play by Cindy Cowan, which had its premiere in Nova Scotia, touches on other aspects of the inventor's life. It focuses on the 37 years he made Baddeck, Nova Scotia his home and how Mabel (Wanda Graham), who over- came the challenge of deaf- ness, inspired and'encour- aged Bell, who preferred to start his working day at mid- night. It's quite a challenge to pack 37 years of life into two acts. The play is set in 1923, fjve.tnonths after the inven- death and is told in backs which highlight Bell's first meeting with Mabel, his kite work with tetrahedral cells, his opposi- tion to World War I,. thc cre- ation of a tower of triangles, -the first successful manned flight of an aircraft in Canada and the launching of the "cigar" boat. To take the audience hack in time to Bell's days in Baddeck, two screens show real slide images of the MABEL & ALEXANDER - In this scene from Blyth Festival production of Mabelle Mabel, inventor Alexander Graham Bell (Ted Johns) and his wife Mabel (Wanda Graham) have a lively discussion. (James Hockings photo) the 1996 inventor, his family and staff working on creations. Sometimes it's like_ flipping through a family album but. other times it's distracts from - the on-stage drama and breaks a hit of thc spell for the audience. But the photos arc a treasure, like the one of Bell watching Mabel out of the water in the launching of ,thc "Cigar." And how did director Janet Amos get hold of these images? - including what looks like a family. photo of Boil's coffin being lowered into the ground at his home at Baddcck. Set and costume designer Pat Flood and assistant designer Barbara Gordon have to he commended for some inventiveness them- selves in creating both the sense of flight on stage with- out constructing an entire air- craft and conveying the feel- ing of racing across the water for the first time in a new boat. The designing pair also have Ted Johns looking very close to thc hoarded Bell shown in slidc-s throughout thc play. - - The second act really takes off when some tension is introduced into the lotus -land of invention. Mabel has concerns about Bell's motivation for his work with the deaf. Bell, played by the amica- ble Seaforth native Ted Johns, fights with his assis- tant Casey Baldwin (Rustey Davenport) about the morals of making inventions to be used in the war. Problems also arise with daughters Mayme (Liza Balkan) and Elsie (Jocelyne Zucco) over their mother's indecision to take her late husband's place on the hoard of a famous school for the deaf. When these conflicts and realities of life threaten the oasis of_Beinn Bhreagh, the home of the Bell family, this play really pulls you in and lets you share in the pain, joy - and frustration of an incredi- ble mind who had too many ideas and not enough time and energy to complete them all. And how Mabel seemed to pull him through it all. Wanda Graham does an amazing job authentically mimicking the speech of Mabel Bell, a woman who deserves•a medal for endur- ing the eccentricities and oddities of the inventor of the telephone (who doesn't like to be reminded of the accom- plishment constantly). Ted Johns gives a humor- ous and human face to Canada's most famous man (>f science in this moving drama. Mabelle Mabel runs in repertoryuntil August 29. Thursday LADIES' NITE wit zt,e COMEDYhOUTLAWS CO Release Party S3 00 at the door OPEN UNTIL 2 A 41 PARTICIPANTS It h PHOTO BY MARTY BEDARD - n e recently concluded district and Seaforth Senior Games held an evenings awards banquet last Wednesday at Seaforth Branch 156, Royal Canadian Legion. , - , , . ; ` , - . , , Huy 8 West, Clinton 482-1234% M.C.L. SOUND FULL D.J. SERVICE Book Your Receptions, -• •' Buck & Does early! For more info. call 482-9984 • MI HURON UPOSITOR, July 3, 1 0110-1 7 COMMUNITY SHOWER for Niki Phillips SUNDAY, JULY 7 2:00 PM at Seaforth Optimist Hall Thurs. Nite START THE. Long Weekend Here!! Party with Sound Image D.J. ( ()\I\II K( 1 \I II( )111 Happy 75th Birthday Marie Dekroon You're Invited To An OPEN HOUSE for Marie Dekroon Sunday, July 7th 2 pm to 4 pm at 216 St. David St., • Mitchell, Ont. "Your presence is your gift" GRADUATION MARK MACDONALD Graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Technology Design and Analysis Program from Conestoga College, Kitchener on June 24, 1996. Hei is the son of Brian and Karen MacDonald, Seaforth. Mark is currently employed with Boilersmith Ltd., Seaforth. ` ` Congratulations and Rest Wishes from your family. SUNDAY SPECIAL JULY7,1to7PM FISH & CH PS DINNER. $625 p LRKY'' 1iiil FAMILY il • 527-1964 90 Main St. Seaforth L,�L 'mac 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 GRADUATION Leanne Charters, daughter of William and Marlene Charters' of RIR l3 Kippen, graduated on June 25, 1996'with a diploma in Business Administration - Marketing from. Conestoga College, Kitchener. She served as president of the Conestoga Business Students Association and was the recipient of the Marketing Facility AWard of Excellence), Leanne is presently employed by Oinney Furniture, Exeter. Congratulations from your family. Mayor presents many ribbons and medals The Seaforth Senior Games finished off the season with their Potluck - Awards Banquet. which was held last . Wednesday at the Seaforth Legion. Mayor Irwin Johnston was in attendance to hand out ribbons and medals to all the winners. After the awards, euchre was held. Muir a hit Clinton Fire Chief Dean Reid has resigned, citing the excessive time commitment as it affects managing his own business. In his letter of resignation he also•expresscd concerns that health and safety issues arc not being dealt with prop- erly because voluntary chiefs haven't got time to do neces- sary work. Assistant Steve Cook will he acting chief in Clinton until a replacement is chosen. ecreation Preview by Marty Bedard Special thanks to all the Committee members and convenors. The committee would also like to thank Ann Wood for looking after the kitchen, and Ernie Harburn for looking after the Euchres. The Gommitte►e plans, to start the Monthly Euchre, Fundraisers in the Fall. ,Senior Shuffleboard result, from last week: Ladies: V. Preszcator A. McLean M. McMillan Men: K. Lingclbach 321 288 220 329 BUCK & DOE for , Dave Franken & Lisa Noble THIS SATURDAY JULY 6 At The Franken Farm - Auhttrit %watch for signs 8:30 p.nt. - 1 a.nt. - Age of `Iajority only BEEF BARBECUE INCLUDED Tickets 5.00 each. For Tore inforinatto11 call Days 482-7869 Evg 233-9237 523-4986 STARTS • WEDNESDA The question of whether or not w are alone in the universe has been answered, 40 N'S•„ " 1 tritl IIDEPENOEICE DRY WED.-THURS., JULY 03-11 6:45 & 9:15 PM NITELY LONG DISTANCE? CAII 1100.265.343S FOR TOIL FREE MOVIE INFO 1 ca*Tita .. .,Op Sr GP TS PRESENTS A TWO STEPPIN' LINE DANCIN COUNTRY GOOD TIME July 13, '96 8:00 pm: Line Dancing Instruction 9:00- 1:00 am Mitchell Arena 1800 Adv. 110°° Door TICKETS AVAILABLE AT SMYTH SHOES (Mitchell/Street) 348-8273 or 3489445 1 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 , f •:.` �senllsr' d f. )' ::fit %:;... Country , rJr j✓ jl:�. "a Pla e to Renrenler"' `‘O` J/' 1' OPEN DAILY Ii FRIDAY • "Fresh Fish" Dinner Saturday evening Buffet SUNDAY BRUNCH !. f f. 0 0 f. f,f, Located at St. Joseph on Hwy. 21 between Grand Bend and Bayfield 1f' R.R. 2, ZURICH CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 236-7707 9 NEW � Be Involved! 444 1 �� IY Remember to attend the workshop on the New County Plan at Bayfield Community Centre Saturday, July 13, 9:30 a.m. Why Should I Attend? • I will be affected by the New County Plan because it will affect local and County decision making and that will affect me; • 1 want to hear what Huron residents said about community values in the recently completed Community Action Kits; • I want to voice my community issues; • I want to influence public policy before it is drafted; • 1 care about the future of my community. For a complete list of workshops being held around the County, please call the Huron County Planning and Development Department at 519-524-2188. f