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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-07-05, Page 2owookrogs • .o 'e production gets 'too preachy'.. at times By Marion Duke On the cover of the 1995 Blyth Festival program, the words "Ca- nadian Theatre" in small white let- tering, overlay the large black type of "Blyth." The Blyth Festival has earned the right to proclaim itself as a Ca- nadian theatre. No other major summer theatre has taken the risks that Blyth has. It is one thing for a theatre to earn a reputation by doing the clas- sics, as it the case with Stratford and Shaw; or to depend upon the tried and true, as do Drayton and Huron Country Playhouse. And make no mistake, all of these theatres are among Canada's best in what they do. In some cas- es, as with Stratford's Shakespear- ean and period pieces, they are among the best in the world. But it takes a rare kind of cou- rage — on the part of both a thea- tre and its audience — to depend upon the unproven quality new plays, and turn it into a tradition. Blyth is one of only few places in Canada which 21 years ago could have taken such a plunge into the unknown. Why? Because the area had. ex- perienced one of the most innova- tive movements in the history of Canadian theatre - Paul Thompson and his Theatre Passe Muraille which specialized in the collaborative approach to develop- ing new plays. Throughout the years, early Passe Muraille members have been a mainstay at Blyth. This sea- son is no exception. PLAY WITH MUSIC Artistic director Janet Antos is a member of the original Passe Mu- raille troupe. This year she directs the season opener, and it is that rarest of entities, a new Canadian play with music. It would be wrong to call Ballad for a Rum Runner's Daughter an operetta, or a musical, or for that matter, a stunning piece of theatre. It is none of these things. It' is a play, written by Laurie Fyffe, with music, composed and arranged by Beth Bartley. It is also a thoroughly engaging piece of entertainment. At times it is a bit too 'preachy', especially when rum runner Jack Tanner (played by Jerry Franken) takes on the powers that be in Ot- tawa. At times the words of songs are a few too many for the notes of music. In short this musical play still needs some work. But there was no doubt in the minds of Blyth's seasoned play- goers attending the opening night of Ballad, that they were watching something that will be around for many years. INSPIRED SPIRIT Set in the Maritimes during the Prohibition era, Ballad for a Rum Runner's Daughter is basically the story of a rum runner and his two daughters. The girls, Vivian (Randi Helmers) and Clare (Trish Season Opener...Ballad for a Rum Runner's Daughter is an engaging piece of Canadian entertainment on the Blyth Stage this year. O'Reilly), couldn't be more differ- ent. Vivian, self-righteous and im- perious, despises her father's rum running. Clare, adventuresome and just as head -strong as Vivian, takes delight in her father's unlaw- ful trade, and when he is injured, substitutes for him. . Clare proves so adept at outrun- ning the law, and making deals with shady Americans that she re- mains'the rum runner, with her fa- ther masterminding the action. While Vivian makes a correct and suitable (if uninspired) match with Hirum (Daniel Giverin), the preacher's son, Clare falls in love • with the handsome RCMP officer sent to put a stop to the rum - running. The play unfolds in a series of flashbacks, made possible by the magical spirit of the Irish female pirate Granuaile. It is this swash- buckling force (played larger than life by the very talented Angela Fusco) that takes a middle-aged Vivian back to confront her early life. The resolution of the play de- pends upon whether or not Vivi- an, now widowed, can learn to let go of her pent-up emotions. The story, of course, has its tragedies. It also has much humor — and lots of good music. STRONG CAST The Blyth cast is a strong one. Most of the actors are talented singers — and Ted Atherton who plays the stalwart RCMP officer, Thomas Stark, plays the spoons as well as any jug band musician around. • Randi Hehners as Vivian, and Trish OReilly as the rum -running, free -spirited Clare, never let this production down. Jerry Franken has the right mixture of concern (for his daugh- ters), and toughness for his role as a rum runner. Michael Healey nicely under- plays his role as Willis, Jack's mate who loves Vivian, but is too List of Advertisers to be found in this week's asbtitl: ingbautAllbance--Ziinto All Wall Construction A. R. MacDonald Construction Askes Bros. Construction Brian Rintoul Auctions Brussels Bulls C.E. MacTavish Ltd. 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There can't be many actors any busier in one play that this wom- an. Somehow she manages to pull it all'off with an impressive flare. It isn't likely anyone who sees her will forget Granuaile. The set is a busy one, but it works well as the deck of a sailing ship, as a dance hall — whatever. Finally, it is director Janet Amos who pulls this rollicking work together, who makes it work on the confines of the Blyth stage — and who will send it out into the world of theatre to become what it will. Those who had the privilege of seeing the opening production no doubt will look forward to seeing Ballad for a Rum Runner's Daughter again in a few years, the evolution is part of the magic of Blyth as a "Canadian Theatre." Goforth Auxiliary meeting Late last month, the Gofoth Aux- iliary met at St. Andrew's Presby- terian Church in Wingham. Verna Taylor opened the evening with a reading and extended a welcome. The group sang two selections, ac- companied by Elinor Neill and Wendy Vaudry led in prayer. Special music for the evening was provided by Lorne Mackenzie, who accompanied himself on the piano. Following another group song, Mrs. Taylor introduced the guest speaker for the night, Vera Linklater, retired Salvation Army t officer; Mrs. Linklater told of her life, explaining how God worked and helped her through many dfl- t cult circumstances in an assortment of ways. Mrs. Vaudry thanked the C speaker. c The offering then was received o and Marg Willis offered thanks: Mr. Mackenzie treated the group to two further selections and Mrs. p Taylor thanked him on behalf of e the group. n After Mrs. Taylor led in a clos- B ing prayer, the business portion of D the meeting was led by Audrey 0 McKague, president. The night c ended with a time of fellowship and c refreshments were served. a e Computer tables...The Grade 11 and 12 construction technology classes at F. E. Madill Secondary School made 20 tables for the school's new computer design lab. Work be- gan in October and was completed earlier this month. The Huron County Board of Education paid for the materials. The students designed the tables, built a prototype and then made changes before coming up with the final version, under the guidance of teacher. Bill Wallace. Riding for CAS TIM CUMMING Special to the Advance -Times GODERICH – Travelling from Thunder Bay to Goderich is a long trip by bus...but can you imagine riding that distance by bicycle? Two young people from the Bruce - field area will be making that 1,200 kilometer trip this summer on two wheels. At the end of June, bicyclists Shane MacPhee and Manny De - Sousa will be driven north to Thun- der Bay. Then, they will take to the roads of Canada and the United States. "If we can do this, we can do anything," says Shane, who is 16. It will be a challenge to complete the trip, said their `foster father Brian O'Reilly. "These guys have never done anything as hard as this in their lives, it's the psychological con- quering of the hills," he said. " It's up and down and up and down." Shane and Manny will attempt to bicycle more than 100 km per day, during their trip. They hope to fin- ish in a two-week period. The two youths will be joined by O'Reilly and Toronto Public School teacher Jim Cook. O'Reilly is experienced at long-distance bi- cycle trips and Cook has helped or- ganize similar trips for school chil- dren. Shane and Manny live with their' foster family at the O'Reilly Home for Teens at RR 1, Brucefield. The two will be taking the trip to help raise funds for their agencies, the Huron County Children's Aid Soci- ety and the Catholic Children's Aid Society in Toronto. "What's better than kids raising money for other kids?" O'Reilly said. Manny, who is now 18, said the trip is about paying back those agencies which helped them with heir foster care. "We had the help when we need- ed it, now we're starting to give to hem." For Manny, the support of his AS in Toronto, includes the agen- y's support of the small farming peration in Brucefield. The bicycle trip is the first time Manny and Shane have taken on a roject this size. They have, how - ver, gone on a demanding wilder- ess trip as part of the Outward ound program near Thunder Bay. uring the three-week trip a group f young people were isolated from ivilization, took part in rock limbing, canoeing and kayaking nd as individuals took a three-day olo camp separate from anyone ise. In anticipation of the bicycle trip, Shane and Manny have been cy- cling regularly and working out at the Stanford YMCA. The riders will be accompanied by a motor home and Bonnie O'Reilly and There a owler. On the side of the mo home will be a sign announcing the trip, "Foster Kids...Going the Distance." The trip's organizers will seek donations and support from compa- nies and individuals. A tax-deductible donation can be made to the Huron County Chil- dren's Aid Society (CAS) at 220 Huckins St. in Goderich. The CAS phone number is (519) 524-7356. The donation should be marked "Foster Kids...Going the Distance." Fundraising is not the only goal. of the trip: 'it's not just the fund- raising, it's to give them an oppor- tunity to achieve," said Bonnie, their foster another. Wingham United A very happy time was spent ear- lier this month when the ladies of the Wingham United Church served a delicious hot turkey dinner to over 100 guests in celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Harold and Jessie France. Members of the wedding party of 50 years ago all were present at the dinner. Congratulatory certificates were received from the govenor general, the prime minister, the premier of the province and the local MPP. Later, a reception was held at the Wingham.Armouries where more friends gathered to enjoy a social time and dancing to Tiffin's Or- chestra. A light lunch was served by friends. Uob and June Gilchrist Of Lucknow, to bring the evening to a happy conclusion. Workplace Health and Safety Agency 1-800-268-2378 Working Together for Health and Safety. The Joint Recreation Board for the Townships of Ashfield, Kinloss, West Wawanosh, and the Village of Lucknow requires a Recreation Co-Ordinator/Facility Manager The Recreation Co-Ordinator/Facility Manager is responsible for all aspects of the operation of the Joint Recreation Board. Detailed Job Descriptions will be available at the Municipal Office, Village of Lucknow. This contract would have a minimum length of one year and duties would begin approximately mid August/95. Sealed tenders stating pertinent data, including expected remuneration, will be received by the undersigned until 5:00 p.m. July 18/95. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1990, c.M. 45, as amended, and will only be used for the purpose of candidate selection. B.M. Whitcroft Secretary Joint Recreation Board Box 40 Lucknow, Ontario NOG 2H0 El cPrSanclarJr�r�r�r�cPrinn.rar PLP[ rJEIRPE @PLO PLEPrr-lr_PcPcJ lcPaPrrJ7rJr.Pr.PEP SUMMER SALE SPECTACULAR So% ofF All Stock Dea/t Fine Decorative Accessories and' Gifts for the Home RR #2 LUCKNOW (519) 528-2022 (2 Conc. South of Lucknow, East of Belfast off Cty. Rd. #1) Hours: Wed. to Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. El cPr1�ePcPJMPE_ rJrJ�JlliLIEE nil o rIr.PaffiRI7LIP. PcPc_ Prr.cPrJ�r_rororiitrntiu n, COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sponsored by: If:&iil SURANCE BROKERS (Wingham) Ltd. Gorrie, 335-3525 • Wingham, 357-2636 "INSURING TOMORROW TODAY" Judy Sanderson WEDNESDAY. JULY 5 Huron County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society will hold it's meeting in the Huron County Pioneer Museum at 7:30 p.m. Lutzen Reidstra of the Perth Archives will discuss the "Home Children" The branch library is open meeting nights at 6 p.m. Plan to attend.. FRIDAY. JULY 7, 'Largest outdoor art and craft festival, Courthouse Park, Goderich. 12-9 p.m.; Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m and Sunday, July 9, 12-6 p.m. •"Helix, presented by Teeswater Falcons. Opening with Ray Lylell, 9.p.m.-1 a.m. Teeswater Arena floor. Age of majority. ®Friday Night Teen Rollerblading every Friday night until August 25, 8-10 p.m. $2 per person. For more information phone 357-1208. SATURDAY, JULY 8 Salvation Army grab bag sale, 1-3 p.m. at the Orange Hall, Edward St., Wingham. 67 p.m. at the Wingham Legion, Mentalist David Brooks presents "The Mystery of ESP". Fundraiser for Wingham Legion Wheelchair Lift. $6 at door. 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