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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1988-04-13, Page 7Times -Advocate, April 13, 1988 Theatre first love of new Playhouse manager Tim Davisson, the newly ap- pointed general manager of the Hu- ron Country Playhouse, plans no drastic changes in the operation of the popular local theatre. "When you're ncw, you see how the operation works first. You don't tamper with success", Davis - son said. Davisson wishes to maintain the high standards of .his predecessor, Heather Redick. Noting that finan- cial control is the most important part of a general manager's job, he secs his main function as getting the best product 'possible while staying within the fiscal guide- lines. Referring to Redick, Davisson said "she did a superb job on the fi- nancial side, leaving the Playhouse in a very healthy state; she's a dif- ficult act to follow". Davisson's roots in the theatre go back as far as he can remember, and before. Ile spent much of his early childhood in dressing rooms while his actress mother was on stage. 'Davisson's actor step -father; NIcrvin "Butch" Blake, has been a fixture at the Stratford Festival Theatre for 30 years, and is still going strong tri his 80s. The family emigrated to Canada when Davisson was 15, That year the young Stratford high school student get joh as u::hcr at the Vii:;:✓t.; f'. ...a Stratford theatre. He also trod the boards briefly as a spear carrier in one of the Shakespearean produc- tions. Davisson was a math and science teacher in Toronto for six years af- ter graduating from U of T with a math major, and obtaining a post - grad degree in business administra- tion. He was drawn- back to his first love with the offer of house manager of the Avon Theatre in Stratford in 1973. Four -years later Davisson moved west to become general manager of Studio Theatre and administrative officer for the University of Alber- ta's drama department. Davisson returned to Ontario in 1984. Since then, he has been theatre coordinator for all Expo World Festival Productions, as well as sr>cndine. three vears as di- rector of operations at the Stratford Festival before coming to Grand Bend. - Davisson hopes to increase aware- ness of what the Playhouse has to offer- among tourists coming to southwestern Ontario for the ex- press purpose of seeing theatre. A related goal is to generate sufficient revenue to maintain or surpass the present level, as the 1988 season is two weeks longer. 'One plan is to approach Stratford motel and hotel owners and ask Prepare for Moonwalk Exeter Senior Citizens are urged to begin warming up for the Elde- robic Moonwalk May 10-19. Ten blocks equal one mile. At the April meeting, Bert Fer- wcrda of London, one of the win- ners. of the Unsung Heroes award for his many hours of volunteer en- tcrtaintnent in nursing homes, was introduced by Molly Bridges. As a one-man band he entertained with hymns, national songs, popu- lar music and war songs inter- spersed with jokes. He played in a lower key which encouraged -the seniors to sing, hum and clap to the rhythm. Alva Heywood reported on the tours being planned, including a trip to the Geritol Follies June •20, -to Exeter, New Hampshire June 2- 5, to Octoberfest in Kitchener and to Westwind in Peterborough in October. Chanes and Vi Ilcndy, Eldon Heywood and Marion Porter volun- teered to look after April bingo at the Villa. Our president, Pat Skinner re- minded us to bring bingo prizes to the next meetings as they will be needed during the summer. -Lunch was served by Ruth Skin- ner's group.... Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 3 with Graham and Marjorie Arthur in charge of the program. SWitaNSISSIN SHDHS fashion show South Huron's Intermural group is busy organizing their spring fashion show. The fashion show. has been an annual event at the school. This year, like every other; we are overwhelmed by the support we receive from the community. The cooperation of area business- es makes our job so much easier. We have included a combination of casual, sport, and formal wear for spring. Students and teachers have been •{ o • • • • • • • • • 1,16 '•' •, •' • • • • • • • • • • • •' • CHALLIS $4)99 :IPrinted Rayon , Save. 00 m m chosen within our school to model.t. Right now is the busiest time. We arc working very hard -to ensure our desired result. - On April 14 at 2 o'clock we will be able to sit back and relax, view- ing what we have worked so hard for. We extend an invitation to any- one who would enjoy'a presentation of spring fashion. Admission will be S2. We hope to sec you there. then to put Playhouse brochures in their rooms. "Stratford is only 45 minutes away, and there are no performances there on Mondays. The Playhouse could also be an alternative to those who can't get tickets to Stratford performances", he said. * * * * Artistic director Sandy Macdcn::td is reviving The Young Company, first formed at the Playhouse in General Manager Tim Davisson 1981 and again in 1982 under the aegis of Elaine Tanner -Smith. Macdonald said these youthful troupes mere the models for Young Companies elsewhere, and "were clic precursors of Playhouse Two; they performed in that space, which be- came the second theatre". N-tacDonald has recently returned from a series of auditions atnong colleges and universities with drama departments. He has hired four ac- tors and a musician. (Two of the lour actors arc from London.) The Young .Company's time at the Playhouse will be divided into three segments. They will spend the initial period from arrival on May 9 until the end of the month putting together three shows - a song and dance cabaret, a humorous look at local history and a clown and mime show aimed at young au- diences. The troupe will take their shows on the road to schools, nursing homes, libraries and whoever else wants to txx>k them, until July 2. For the last part of their stay, The Young Company will be holding on-site workshops for ages six to 15. Workshops for the younger ones will concentrate improvisa- tion, play -making and related sub- jects, while the curriculum for the older groups will be more perfor- mance -oriented, focussing on theat- rical skills. - Both Macdonald and Davisson are certain The Young Company will pay. -for itself. They expect the 529,000 cost of bringing the youth- ful entertainers to Grand Bend for four months will be offset by the S50 plus travel expenses the compa- ny will charge for each of the ir per- formances: The workshop registra- tions will bring in additional revenue Davisson has also applied for a S7,500) grant from Theatre On- tario. Although none of the selections on the main Playhouse stage call for children this year, Macdonald said local youngsters can participate by applying for jobs as ushers, or in the wardrobe and other depart- ments. "With the musicals l'in consider- ing for next year, it's highly likely there will be opportunities for young people to perform on stage, and -the workshops will be back as well:..Crne year there's a focus on one thing, and the following year a focus on another; everything comes HAYTER'S TURKEYS Featuring • Breast Roast • Sausage _ • Filet • Schnitzel • Cutlets • Ground Turkey • Wings • Drumsticks HAYTER TURKEY FARMS Hwy. 83 just west of - Dashwood 237-3561 Store Hours Thurs. 9 - 6 Fri. 9 to 6 Open Sat. 9 - 5 SPECIAL THIS WEEK PATTIES 1.59 lb. Great for the barbecue also FROZEN TURKEYS available 1st Quality 45" YARN DYED SHIRTINGS Complete selection Save 3.00m m POLY COTTON JACQUARDS'' Save 5.00 m say Pagel i0 a cyclical way", Macdonald ex- Combining the words and music plained. and fun of two-time Academy * * * * The 1988 playbill for the main stage of the Huron Country Play- house offers four presentations. The veteran .musical. "A" Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be the open the season on June 21, and continue until July 9. The light farce "Key For Two" follows, from July 12 to July 23. Comedy and thrills will be com- bined in "Stagestruck", from July 26 to August 6. "Win hall"; another comedy, will be performed from August 9 to 20, and "Little 'Shop of Horrors" will round out this year's playbill. ' :Wingfield"s Progress", a sequel to "Letter from Wingfield Farni, will open at Playhouse 11 on July 5 and run until July 16. The --next offering is "Superwomen" from July 19 to 30. This musical, written by Ar- lene Dunbar from Ethel in collabo- ration with Carol Oriold, takes a look at three of today's women, different in some ways from their mothers; very similar in others. The final presentation at Play- house II is "Mercer! Beaucoup!", Artistic director Sandy Macdonald Award winner Johnny -Mercer. It %ci11 run front August 2 to 13. • * * * Playhouse management are puzzled by the lack of advance group bookings this year. 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