HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-08-05, Page 12Bush Fire .performance left
some unanswered questions
• Question those people who attended the
opening 'night performance of Laurie
Fyffe's Bush Fire at the Blyth,FestiVal, and
they will no doubt give it a' good rating,
Question them on the intricacies of the per-
formance and they will probably adroit It,
. took them until the second act to shake 'the
confusion that resulted ,in the opening
moments of the play,
Bush Fit e -is -a mut der -mystery -based -on-
the true story of the Easby family, It details.''
an 1828 fire in Lanark County which app-
peared to have caused the death of a" preg-
nant mother and four of her children, but in
troth was a cover up for a gruesome mass
murder.
The father, who said he was directed by
evil forces to commit the heinous act, was
eventually found guilty of the crime in a •
sensational trial, which not ,only in-
vestigated his innocence, but that of his wife
-as well, Thomas Easby was publicly hanged
on August 24, 1829. •
Bush Fire tells of this Scottish man; and
the hard pioneer lifehe led in the backwoods
of Lanark County. It tells of his wife -Ann,
the four• children who died and the one son
who escaped the terror of his 'father's
murderous act,
Bush Fire focuses on •the community of
people who were affected by the grisly"
murder and it looks at the young neighbor
girl who comes to love and eventually
marry the boy who escaped.
Karen Barker plays the part of that young
girl, and it is she who reveals the story in a
series of recollections; while she's waiting
in an isolated cabin for the, return of her
husband. • • - -
The recollections require Miss Barker to
make a number of transitions frompresent
to past•and back again, and while these are
for the most part accomplished smoothly,
they could be held responsible for the au-
dience's confusion at the start of:the play.
Until the audience catches on to who is a
part of the present, and who is a visitor from
the past, the play is difficult to follow. Once
that task is accomplished however, it
becomes that much easier. to figure out; .
But although the confusion lessens as the
play progresses, it never completely disap-
pears, The question of whetheror not one
missed some vital piece of information at
the play's start always lingers. .
•
•
•
•
EVENTS' OF THE PAST Agnes Tullis, left, played by Lorna Wilson, and Abigail
Richardson, played by, Karen Barker, were the two characters in Laurie'Fyffe's Bush
Fire, that were required to makes transitions from past to present and back again in
order to tell the story, Submitted ohoto. ',
Nonetheless the nine actors/actresses in Greg Spottiswogd assumes the role of the
the play, should be commended for their bratty, tell -all Martin Balderson; Abigail's •
performances, young admirer, as if it were made for him,
The character of Agnes Tullis, played by His performance is not only believable, but
Lorna Wilson, is one of the more colorful effective in revealing the innermost feelings
characters in the play, An opinionated old of the stricken community ,
woman who delves not• only into black The short-lived Ann Easbyis played by
magic but into alcohol as well, she provides , Martha Irving, who not only depicts the
just enough comic. relief .between the play's loneliness of a immigrant bush woman'with
more dramatic scenes. • • • her quiet performance, but the patheticness
Laurel Paetz, as :Abigail's mother Con- and the desperation of her character as
stance, does a superb job conveying the
Vital pieces of information needed to solve well'.
The parts . of storekeeper Clarence
the mystery, without forgetting her role as a Caldwell, played by Wayne Nicklas and An -
compassionate, understanding and virtuous drew Richardson, played by Peter Smith,
woman of the 1800s. were also well done and filled in the gaps to
Neil Foster, who plays the coroner, is make Bush Fire a well balanced production,'"'
forced to project a number of emotions but The only disappointing part of the play
could be more convincing in his role as a was its rather abrupt ending, While it
guilt -stricken lover, answered the obvious questions the au -
In the supporting cast David Marr gives a - dience might have had about who?, what?,
hair-raising portrayal of lawyer Matthew where?, when? and why?, it neglected to
Haggart, and gives the audience an almost' quench the curiosity that arose as to the
frightening glimpse of the pro -capital .' character of Colin, the boy who escaped the
punishment system of justice that existed murder, and who the audience was never
more than one century ago. ' allowed to meet,
THE HURON EX.FQSiTQR,, AUGUST 5, 1.987 , -, 11A
MAY .COI -D
SMORGASBORD
Sunday, August 9
5 p.m. -7 p.m.
SEAFORTH LEGION
Adults 7,00 • Children '3.50
QUEEN.'S
SEAFORTH
THURS., FRI., SAT.
Party With Us And.
'Wooden Am!'
Kippen WI members attend matinee of musical.
• Kippen Correspondent
%l R$. M AIt(ARET HOGGARTII
. 262-6902
A number of Kippen East Women's In-
stitute members and their friends attended
the matinee musical "Shubert Alley" on
Wednesday,, ,July 29 at the Grand Bend
Country Playhouse.
After the show, which was most en-
joyable, members ruturned to the home of
Thea and Uwe Wisch, where some members
enjoyed therefreshing pool, while others sat
and watched the swimmers antics. Uwe
Wisch barbecued pork chops and a delicious
supper was enjoyed by all.
President Grace Drummond thanked
Mona Alderoke for organizing the outing
and '!Thea Wisch for hosting the event and
giving a delightful time. President Grace
Drummond also reminded members of the
invitation by Elimville W.I. to attend a pic-
nic at Morrison Dam on Wednesday, August
12 at I2 noon, Dinner to be served and hosted
by Elimvill W.I. If it should happen to rain
the event till be held in Elimville United
Church.
The family of Sister Mary Eckert wish
to extend an invitation to ail friends
and relatives to attend 'an open
house to celebrate her Golden
Jubilee (50 years) in the religious
life of the Ursuline Sisters on Satur.
day, August 8, 1987 from 2.5 p.m. in
the Dublin Community Centre.
BEST- WISHES ONLY
Brussels Optimist
50's DANCE
Featuring
HOOPLES"
Saturday, Aug. 15
Brussels, Morris, Grey
Community Centre
DANCING 9-1
Lunch Available'
Age of Majority Required
Tickets x6.00 per person
Available from:
Any optimist member or
phone 8S7-6072 or 887.6162
Proceeds Toward'
Comn>tunity Betterment
CHURCH NEWS'
Services were resumed with Kippen join-
ing with Brucefield on Sunday, August 2 at
Brucefield Church at 10 a.m. •
The service for Sunday, August 9 will be at
the salve time and same place. Bible School
starts at Brucefield Church on Monday,
August 10 to Friday, August 14 inclusive.
PERSONALS
Visitors with Al and Margaret Hoggarth
on Sunday, August 2 were Margaret's uncle
Stan Sutherland and friend Elaine Parsons,
Ron and Lil Sutherland all from London,
Ontario.
Advertising
can save
shopping' time.
CANADIAN. ADVERTISING
FOUNDATION
PIANO TUNING
•REPAIRS •REBU$LDiNG
•KEYS RECOVERED
• DAMPP-CHASERS
•REGULATING
•BENCHES
BRUCE
PULSIFER
340.9223uncNUE
-'STAG-
FOR
RON MAK
Saturday, Aug. 8
LUNCH PROVIDED 7 - 1 A.M.
Seaforth Community Centro
Upstairs Hall
SEAFORTH
INT RNATIONAL
Ll \.NJi 1 l..i
C )r;1U
13,
FOURTH ANNUAL
HURON' FCO D FEST
Your choice of Turkey, Lrtlnb, Pork or Beef
SEAFORTH &
BAR -B -UE
AND D DANCE
Sat., August 8
Dinner $8.00 DanCe $3.00
SAVE $1.00 BOTH FOR $10.00
B.B.Q. SITTINGS - 5:30 & 7:00 P.M
DANCE: 9 p.rn.
DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRES
Food prepared by
CARDIFF CATERING
FEATURING FOOD FROMw
Huron Beef Producers
Huron Pork Producers
Huron Turkey Producers
Huron Lamb Producers
SOUChant Potatoes
Cdn. Canners (Delnonte)
Veg. Marketing Board
Ontario Bean Producers
Huron Dairy Procfurers
Huron County Milk Committee
Tasty Nu Bakery
Rick Pickles
Stinrise Dairy
Huron County
.,and much more.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
BOB & BETTY'S VARIETY or from
ANY LION CLUB MEMBER
MUSIC BY "THE PAUL CROSS ORCHESTRA"
Age of Malority ,
DOLL
SHOW & SALE
Sunday, August 9th
10:30.5 P.M.
5t. Marys - Community Centre
Phone 284.2807
* * *OVER `40 DEALERS" * *'
BUCK & .DOE
for
JULIE HABKIRK
and
LYLE' KINSMAN
Friday, August 7
Phpne 527-0662 or 229=6588
non aild Moja I)pehls and,.1hirian and
Lavern (.udkin frisk to nnnouaar the
engagement of their children I)unrua
Lynne and itunnld ,Nail. The wedding
Frill take place Saturday. August 22.
I')117. Open reception In fnllofr at
Seaforth and District Cornnfrfirily
DiSC JOCKEY SERVICE
Wocnkn�R iI
UISCO. f'OaAS. IVAErZE5 NEw OM DISC./MAK 4000 I,tc4NDED
MUSIC Fp11 WEDDINGS. DANCES, ANNIYEN5Afuf5 P.NpEO [IC
10 y,.omporlonco 'No mll.o00 ,hor0o
Dilu55€i5 887.6159 .DAYTIME o, EYEI11110$
BUCK and DOE
for...
Ron Godkln & Lynne Dodds
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Seaforth District Community Centre
Upstairs Hall - 9-1
For Information call:
577.1877 or 527.0656
LORDY, LORDY
GORDIE BUTTERS
is "40"
Best wishes from
Your Family & Friends
Seaforth Playground & Recreation Dept.
TRIP TO
BINGEMAN PARK
KITCHENER
THURSDAY, AUG. 13
Leaves Seaforth at 9:00 a,m.
Returns to Seaforth at 4:00 p.m.
Bus Leaves & Returns from S.P.S.
$10.00 per person
Limited Seating to First 20 people
INCLUDES — Rollerskating, Mini Golf,
Wave Pool, 4 Waterslides and
McMagic Play Area.
To Reserve Seats Call The
Recreation Office
527-0882
"FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE"
jaaaoloaaa aavavOosaaaaa4
BROWNIE'S DRIVE-IN a
169 BEECH ST., CLINTON 482.7030
OPEN A713:30 P.M. • FIRST SHOW AT DUSK
THIS WEEKEND: 11111. -SAT. -SUN., AUGUST 7.8.9
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FOR THE SECOND BIG WEEK IN TOWN!
THE HEAT'S BACK ON!
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