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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-12, Page 6PAGE 6—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL, 12, 1979 c� x 0 eric BY JOANNE BUCHANAN David Fanstone, a professional director who is currently directing the final production of this season for the Goderich Little Theatre group, is a believer in community theatre. "Im really far the underdog. I like to take a group of people who aren't professionals and work and work and work with them until they are able to put on a professional production," he explains. Positive response from the audience for a job well done is payment enough for amateu"r theatre groups, he maintains. Mr. Fanstone says that in his profession, many people are reluctant to leave Toronto but he is not. He feels that more emphasis should be placed on regional theatres serving smaller communities. For what it costs to build one National Arts Centre in , either Toronto or Ottawa, several regional theatres could be built and -funded to begin 'operations, he says. Mr. Fanstone has directed hundreds of plays during his 11 years of professional directing and has written several television and radio scripts. He has also tried his hand at -acting but doesn't like that nearly so well as directing and writing. He makes his home or ".base" as he calls it, in Kingston where he lives with his • wife, a classicall'y trained' soprano. He was born and raised in Niagara Falls and —g-radua ed---w-ith • :his honors 13,A. in drama from •Queens University in Kingston in 1976. While he was attending university, he made money to put himself through by doing summer stock. He was the artistic director of 'The Penny Farthing Players,' a -- --t#rea-t-re--grtsu-p-b-ased--in- ‘' Niagara Falls which he co-founded with another man. He also worked as a director with Pendragon The Players Company for two years in Kingston. .,This theatre group. performed Canadian Little :` h plays. Last year Mr. Fanstone directed ' the musical, -Cabaret, a large fund raising production for the Kinsmen Club of Kingston and this year he will direct Jesus Christ Superstar for the same club. Last summer Mr. Fanstone wrote an opera on commission and the Kingston television station, an affiliate of the CBC, put up the money to tape it. This tape will be sent to the CBC in 15 Toronto next for perusal. In his spare time, while he is in Goderich, Mr. Fanstone is working on a play about Wolfe and Montcalm. On. the day after opening night of GLT's final production of the season, Mr. Fanstone will leave for Ottawa where he will work at directing three other directors at the Camelot Little Theatre there. "In this business, you simply cannot . afford to turn down a job," he explains saying that he is David Fanstone is a professional director from Kingston.'He is in Goderich on a Theatre Ontario grant to direct GLT's final production for the season entitled Thriller of the Year which opens April 25. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) 2 SPARKLING FULL COLOUR SPECIAL PRICE 5"x7" ENLARGEMENTS MOUNTED IN DELUXE STUDIO MOUNTS ORDER -NOW FROM YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR NEGATIVES OR COLOUR SLIDES FOR� $ 99 ONLY CLIP OUT AND PRESENT COUPON 2 FOR 1 BRING YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR NEGATIVES OR COLOUR SLIDES TO OUR STORE WITH THIS COUPON FOR THIS MONEY SAVING OFFER. DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE! 2 5" x 7" ENLARGEMENTS 1.99 GOOD UNTIL APRIL 30, 1979 NAkAM'URA GUARDIAN DRUGS P H A R M A C Y OPEN MON.-PRI. 10.12,12:30-4 SUNCOAST MALL WEEKDAY 111/101010S 030 P.M. -0 P.M.GOD€RTtw ; SATURDAY 10•E 524.2195 • • atre fortunate to have not been out of work for over than a year now. He says he is making "a good buck" and feels that this is mainly because he is willing to leave the city and go to smaller com- munities. He says he wouldn't be doing what he is doing now if he wasn't confident that there was.something more permanent for him in the end. Mr. Fanstone was first brought to Goderich by the GLT for a directors' workshop .which they funded with the aid of a Theatre Ontario grant. Another Theatre Ontario grant enabled the group to bring him back again at this time to direct their final production of the season. Mr. Fanstone is directing and teaching at the same time while he is here. All rehearsals are open. He explains that he auditioned people first and then picked a play that suited the cast. The play, Teahouse of the August Moon was t ins :s'rofessiQn replaced by a murder mystery entitled Thriller of the Year by Gly Jones for casting reason "I'm having fun with this play. I have a good cast. There is a group spirit that is really nice," he Says. The cast consists of Joyce Kuran, Sally Walker, Anna Melski, Ann Coulter and Kathy Jenkins. The play opens on Wednesday, April 25 at 8:30 p.m. in MacKay Hall and runs until April '28. The group has already started working on the set. Mr. Fanstone says everyone has been very nice to him during his stay here. He lives in an apartment room at MacKay Hall and has been supplied with several luxuries like a television set to use while he is here. While the GLT play takes top priority, he brought along several other projects to keep him occupied when he is not busy. He hopes to attend a meeting of the Goderich Arts Foun- dation. He was a design consultant on the Firehall Theatre in Niagara Falls and has inspected the former Polley's Livery Stable here. If asked, he feels that he may be able to supply some advice to the Foundation for the conversion of the stable into a theatre. 1 director Mr. Fanstone is im- pressed by Goderich's local history and its people. He likes the group he is working with here. With that attitude, GLT can do nothing but im- prove and benefit under his direction. Attend Thriller of the Year and find out for yourself. Former Clinton resident dies in North Bay A Zurich native and former resident in the Clinton area, Francis C. Denomme, died in his North Bay home on April 8 after a lengthy illness. He was 46 years old. Mr. Denomme was born in Zurich on January 29, 1932 to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Denomme. The family then moved to Clinton in 1935 where Mr. Denomme lived until 1950, when he went to St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto to study law until 1958. Following his graduation he moved to North Bay where he lived, raised a family and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. Mr Denomme was married to Joan Brooks in Rochester, New York in 1960. He is survived by his wife and three sons, David, Danny and Darren, all at home. As well, he is survived by' his • parents, three sisters, Mrs. Geraldine (Glenn) Mattoon, Sipawin, Saskatchewan; Mrs. Cecelia (C.D.) McNeil, Goderich; Mrs. Bernice (Eric) Moore, RR4 Goderich and four brothers, Don and Wilfred of Goderich, John Paul of Hamilton and Clarence of Clinton. Funeral service and interment were -,held April 11 in North Bay. Life membership pin presented The second general meeting of Victoria Street UCW was held Monday, April 2 with 25 present. The president, Audrey Linner, opened the meeting and then, Mary Currell, leader of Unit 2, conducted the worship period. Her theme was "Grace', stressing Christ -like qualities. A life membership was presented to Mary Harman by Unit 1. Betty Williams presented the pin and was assisted by Myrtle Fowler and Verna R. Audrey Linner was in charge of the business. The recommendations of the executive were presented and adopted. The UCW is having a white elephant sale later in April and a Spring Tea in May. The treasurer reported a good balance in the bank. The speaker was unable to be present so Mary Currell read a variety of poems and clippings ' with a little message of their own. Lunch was served, by Unit 2 and a social half- hour enjoyed by all. ' '•• /07 ftiMWAV.,494e Sale starts today, ends Saturday, April 14th, while quantities last ! Approx.. Retail, Value. '$19.00 each. Made$ :No. KV 1512 A±IYONE 18 YRS AN,IOVERCAN ENTER Slrrlply till put a contest entry tern) at your local MET stare • on or before Aprll 14th. The winning entry forms will be drawn on Or about April 26th, Complete contest details are available at yew nearest MET store. Many Other Easter Specials This Week CLOSED: GOOD FRIDAY OPEN: SAT, APRIL 14 to 9:00 P.M. 00011-40fT - CARMAN 01010 SUNCOAST MALL Hwy• 21 S. GODERICH, ONTARIO s\