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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-06-21, Page 3Playhouse .opens next week By ,Adrian Harte GRAND BEND - The Huron Country Playhouse is poised for a comeback season this year, accord- ing to the cast and crew charged with getting it all off the ground and filling the seats, beginning next week's opening. A mile? - According to staff, Witness for the Prosecution will be using a full mile of trim on its set, Here Kathleen Kennedy and Ar- yan Ronczka in the props department paint the styrofoam strips to resemble woodgrain under the stage lighting. Tony Lloyd, from the Sudbury Theatre Centre, took over the reins as Playhouse artistic director this year from Sandy MacDonald. The 1988 season was plagued with overheated weather and a playbill that failed to win audiences over, resulting in a financial deficit for the season. Lloyd, who directed the Playhouses' Key for Two last year, directs three of the four main stage productions for 1989. Lloyd starts his season with Aga- tha Christie's Witness for the Pros- ecution,thus opening with a grip- ping whodunit drama, instead of the traditional musical comedies used in previous years. Lloyd says Witness has a lot go- ing for it - both a strong story and a familiar, popular author to draw the crowds, but he stops short of predicting a sure-fire success. "I'll tell you afterwards," quipped Lloyd. "You never know - the au- dience decides that for you." Lloyd insists the audience comes first and foremost in his mind, es- pecially when considering a sum- mer theatre crowd is more interest- ed in entertainment than something that pushes the bounds of dramatic art. Ian Deakin, who plays the defen- dant Leonard Vole in Witness, agrees. with Lloyd about the play's entertainment value, but points out it is a challenging play, both for the cast and the audience. "She (Christie) keeps you on your toes until the very end," said Deakin, explaining the audience must digest a lot of information during the courtroom scene, some of which is deliberately misleading. "This is a big acting job. You can't let up for a minute," said Dea- kin. "It has to be tremendously real." "Tony's certainly got an audi- ence -pleasing season," he said, but added each show is not only of good quality, but also "has some- thing to say" For. Vern Chapman, who plays defense attorney Sir Wilfrid Ro- barts, this is his fourth time play- ing in Witness. His first was a To- ronto production in the 1950s. He calls the Robarts part "tricky" for an actor because the lawyer repeats his questions in slightly different ways in different scenes. "It really holds the audience - if we do it properly," said Chapman. The technical crew also have a few tricks up their sleeves to make Witness for the Prosecution special. Technical director Simon Day, also from the Sudbury Theatre, explains that a 12 -foot high set is being built on a double -turntable stage. The scene can be changed, curtain up, from a lawyer's office to a courtroom in less than 30 seconds - an effect designed to be impressive right from the start. The statistics for Witness are also mind-boggling. Day claims there is more than a mile of artificial wood trim for the set, giving the ef- fect of a fine wood courtroom, but it is all made of paintcd styrofoam. The Playhouse also has a new toy of its own this season: a new lighting board with 48 banks of 2,400 watt dimmers. "This whole show is going to be lit in sepia, so it's going to look like an old photo," said Day. The lighting director mutters something about Grand Bend's tenuous connec- tion to the local power grid. More than once last year the Playhouse was plunged into darkness by tem- porary power failures. The actors could do little but wait out the sec- onds for the lights to rekindle. All the sets this year are being created around a "plug in" concept so that doorframes and windows can be re -used in future sets with a min- imum of fuss and maximum flexi- bility. There is more to it than just convenience. - Saving money on woodwork can mean a big difference in the whole company's bottom line. "Next year will be a big saving, hopefully, in sets and things," said Day, who also spoke for everybody at the Huron Country Playhouse when trying to capture the senti- ments of both cast and crew. "Everyone's of the same opinion: We're here to do it right this year." Times -Advocate, June 21, 1989 Page 3 Witness for the Prosecution On trial - Prosecutor John Gardner (centre) tries to break down the testimony of accused lan Deakin (left), while his defence, Vern Chapman, listens during a rehearsal of Witness for the Prosecu- tion, set to open at the Playhouse next Wednesday. Petition achieves new stop sign goal LUCAN - Village council bowed to,a petition presented last month asking for a stop sign at the inter- section of Willow and Gibson Streets to slow down traffic through the intersection. Councillor Larry Hotson wasn't initially convinced a stop sign was the best answer to the problem. "So have someone sit there with a radar and charge them for speed- ing, don't put up a stop sign," said Hotson, adding that problems with irresponsible drivers are also com- mon on Market and Allison Streets in town. "I did drive around there and r thought it was appropriate," said councillor Tom McLaughlin in support of the petition request. Reeve Norm Steeper asked clerk Ed Mclanson to contact the OPP about enforcement on village streets, but council also passed a bylaw authorizing the Willow and Gibson stop sign. The Village of Lucan is being sued over the injury to a five-year old girl who fell through a railing while riding a bicycle overa cul- vert. Apparently the youngster suffered minor injuries. Council were told their insurance company will be challenging the claim. Council also found themselves with several requests from busi- nesses asking for immunity from the bylaw banning the outdoor use of water. The bylaw has been waived in the past to allow some people to wash company vehicles in the interests of hygiene or safety. Other businesses were asking for similar treatment to keep their vehi- cles clean and attractive. "I would gladly support a motion to let all business wash their vehi- cles, but I can't see making one ex- ception," said Hotson, arguing that a clean company fleet is• not some- thing only a handful of Lucan busi- nesses should enjoy. Councillor Bryan Smith argued that a complete exemption for the business community would not be fair to residents who weren't al- lowed to wash their own cars. Steeper disagreed, stating that anything to help support Lucan's fading business community should be treated seriously. Deputy -reeve Harry Wraith point- ed out that the locai car dealership is expected to keep its cars clean to if it wants to sell them. Council forwarded a bylaw amendment to allow all businesses to wash their vehicles, but Wraith asked fora recorded vote on the mo- tion. Wraith and Smith voted against the amendment. McLaughlin and Hotson supported it. Steeper broke the tie with his support. Don Winter elected to Ontario planning group EXETER - A number of Exeter councillors Mqqu�day night passed on congratulationT to Don Winter of town who has been named a director , at the recent Ontario Association of Committee of Adjustment Confer- ence in Peterborough. Winter was assigned to the chair- manship of the legislative commit- tee, whose mandate it is to review proposed planning and Co-op Hous- ing legislation. Ile has indicated that the provin- cial plan to restructure counties will no doubt have a major impact on the planning process of local munic- ipalities. • Councillor Dorothy Chapman was the first to congratulate Win- ter saying, " We don't realize how important it is when members from our municipality sit on pro- vincial boards. It's a super thing." Winter is a member of the Exct- cr Planning Advisory Committee • and a former councillor. A letter will be sent To the Exet- • er Villa congratulating their recent reception of Accreditation from the Council of Health Facilities. Mayor Bruce Shaw will be repre- senting the town at this coming Sunday's third anniversary celebra- tions at the Villa. Deer struck in accidents EXETER -Deer were involved in two motor vehicle accidents inves- tigated this week by officers of the Exeter detachnlent of the Ontario Provincial Police. The first mishap occurred Thurs- day when a vehicle operated by Ste- phen Knight of Hensall struck a deer on Highway 4, near Huron road 4 in Stephen township. The second animal was struck in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 18 on Hay township sidcroad 4-5 by a vehicle driven by Leslie. MacDonald, RR 2, Crediton. Also on Thursday, a 13 year-old youth from RR 3, Centralia was treated for minor injuries atSouth Huron Hospital in Exeter after los- ing control of a dirt bike at Lot 8, Concession 3 of Stephen township Saturday, vehicles driven by Jo- seph Klungcl of 'Medford and David Pergel, RR 2, Zurich collided .on Highway 21, near Port Blake. During the week, officers laid 55 charges under the Highway Traffic Act, seven Liquor Licence Act charges, apprehended one impaired driver and suspended one driving li- cence for 12 hours. Heritage Social - Heritage days convener Joanne Bowen - offers a serving of str wberries to Exeter librarian Helen Hodgins during Friday's social, at the Old Town Hall. Smith resignation a mistake EXETER - Exeter councillor Dorothy Chapman Monday night called the forced resignation of Ontario Solicitor General Joan Smith a big mistake. ". Chapman who is chairman of the Exeter polioe committee con- tinued, This is a real setback and a detrimental move in polic- ing." She added, " Smith did more ,good things for policing in the province in the 22 months 'she was on the job than anyone else did in the seven years I have been involved with policing." • Chapman reported to council on discussions at a June 14 police committee meeting. Chief Larry Hardy gave an eval- uation and a recommendation that Police Cadet Dwight Monck be promoted to fourth class Consta- ble efective June 14. He graduated from Aylmer Police College on May 26 with an 88 percent aver- age. As the result of the resignation , of Mike Berg, four new auxiliary officers will be hired. To this Chapman said, " These fellows have gradually disappeared, usual- ly to positions as policemen or security officers. We have to start all over again." Chief Hardy has completed courses and received certificates from the Canadian Police College in general police duties, advanced pgjicc duties and police manage- ment studies. Chief Hardy advised that the hearing for a patio licence appli- cation for the Exeter Tavern will be heard in August in Kitchener. A letter of objection has been sent to the Liquor Control Board. Approval was given to an ap- plication from the Exeter Curling Club to receive a liquor licence. Three officers will be attending an upcoming one -day seminar on the investigation and prosecution of child abuse. Permanent bicycle licences are now on sale at a cost of $2 and may be obtained at the Exeter po- lice station during normal office hours. Chapman advised that after Clinton hosts the fall meeting of the Huron County Communica- tion System, Exeter will take over as host of these sessions. A recommendation to the town's executive committee and then to council to purchase carpet for the police station from Allan's Fine Furniture at a total cost of $2;371.03 was approved. Funds cut for Rec Centre computer EXETER - When the South Hu- roh District Recreation Centre Board met last Tuesday for their monthly meeting, they were in- formed that Exeter council had cut from the budget funds for a possi- ble new Rec Centre computer. In April the board set up a com- mittee to look into the possibility and feasibility of a new computer, but council's decision to cut the funds -means the committee will likely be dissolved unless they de- cide to form again next year. Recreation director Lynn Farqu- har reported she has received more requests for people wanting to par- ticipate in the Regional Seniors Games, which will take place in various municipalities in the arca, than she originally anticipated. "We went out and bought 500 registration kits and 500 name tags and 500 of everything but our reg- istration list now stands at about 554 so we are scrambling trying to get everything organized the best we can," said Farquhar. "I. think it is a good opportunity for us because we haven't done much with the Seniors in the past. And I think the Seniors around here arc really appreciative of our efforts too," she added. Farquhar also said she had been having a problem with people phoning"the Rec Centre wanting to register for swimming classes days before the actual registration date, which was last Wednesday. She said she tried to explain to the call- ers that it wasn't fair for people to pre -register because all of the pre- ferred classes would be filled early and that was ,why no registering was allowed before Wednesday. Far- quhar added, despite her attempts to explain the situation over the phone, they weren't as co-operative. as she would have hoped for. The board passed a motion ap- proving the hiring of the town's summer recreation staff: Dianne,Za- char was hired playground co- ordinator, Dianne Willis and Lisa Hodgins were hired as playground leaders, Marilyn Hamilton was hired as Aquasize leader and Deb Oke was hired to lead the swim team. The General Government Com- mittee is looking into the possibili- ty of obtaining grants fora new Junior Lawn Bowling program in Exctcr. A motion was passed to do per- formance reviews with department heads annually. Previous perfor- mance reviews had been done every six months. Approval for the sound system grant applied for last August has been received, in the amount of $3,653. That cheque will then be turned over -to the EFSC to offset their donation of $7,159. Participation in the Thursday night roller skating at the Rec Cen- tre is going as planned, according to Farquhar. They are getting about 20-25 kids a night but would like • 10 see more. The board was informed that George Kadlecik in Grand Bend has donated 200-300 pairs of roller skates as long as someone came to pick them up. They were glad to dq so because they really needed the smaller sizes." It was recommended that no sus- pension policy for the Rec Centre be established. The board had con- sidered setting a policy because of an altercation earlier this year but decided against it because it was just an isolated incident. Facilities manager Cam Steward - son told the t, and that the roof re- - pairs were carried out by the Exctcr Roofing Company. It was reported ttfat the roof is in good condition Investigations into the possible heated viewing arca in the arena is still being looked into. They arc currently awaiting some cost esti- mates and checking for possible do- nations towards such a facility. The motion was passed authoriz- ing Stewardson to proceed in repair- ing up to six arena boards along the ice surface at a cost of about $700 per board. At an earlier meeting it was sug- gested the board look intothe possi- bility of the Works Department in- stalling another street light at the Victoria Street entrance. Stewardson reported he is still looking into that possibility. Zurich taxes up ZURICH - Though the village of Zurich held their general purpose budget to a 6.5 percent increase, the addition of the county and edu- cation levies resulted in an 11 per- cent total increase in 1989 taxes. A bylaw setting out this year's mill rate was passed at the regular June meeting of Zurich council. Residential and farm public school supporters will be assessed 18.47 mills (compared to 16.775 in 1988), and separate school support- ers will pay 19.014 (17.024.) . The public school commercial and busi- ness tax rate is 21.729 (19.734,) , and dial for separate sehnnt ciipport- • crs is 22.369 (20.027.) The taxes will raise a total of $255,216. The village's general purposes budget accounts for $73,560, the county will receive $42,792, the Huron Board of Educa- tion will get S91,493 and the tab for separate schools is $47,371, •