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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-08-12, Page 1212 News Record • Wednesday, August 12, 2015 Blyth's Fury tells the story of love and loss on Lake Huron Laura Broadley Clinton News Record The world premiere of Blyth Festival's Fury, writ- ten by Peter Smith and directed by Micheline Chevrier, opened at Blyth Memorial Hall last Friday. Fury tells the story of Margaret Mackay and Michael Grey, who fall in love with a backdrop of the Great Storm of 1913. Over 250 lives were lost and 12 ships sank during the infamous storm on Lake Huron in the early 20th century. The SS Wex- ford was one of those ships; all 25 people onboard perished in the storm. Mackay is a young woman from the Magda- len Islands who has come to live with her uncle, Judge Cassidy, in Goder- ich. Cassidy facilitates the engagement of Mackay to lawyer, David Cooper. Despite being engaged to Cooper, Mackay falls in love with Grey, a troublemaker who charms her against her better judgement. His Photo courtesy of Terry Manzo Jeff Irving and Rachel Cairns in their roles as Michael Grey and Margaret Mackay in Blyth Festival's world premiere of Fury. The play opened last Friday at Blyth Memorial Hall and will run until September 12. singing voice captures her attention and eventually her heart as the audience witnesses the development of the hidden relationship. Along with his friend, Bernard Smoke, played by Keith Barker, Grey takes work at the docks and eventually on the Wexford. The chemistry between Irving and Barker is evident and much of the comic relief comes in their scenes together. Rachel Cairns, in the role of Mackay, shines in her subtlety. Cairns has the difficult task of playing a character whose defin- ing experience happens before we catch up with her during Fury. Mackay's love interest is expertly portrayed by Jeff Irving. Irving's singing voice and charisma is a necessity in a role as the intense Grey. Playwright, Peter Smith, captures an urgency in his characters with seemingly effortless dialogue that flows through scenes of humour and scenes of despair. Smith has created characters so dynamic the audience can't help but get attached. The music, by Clinton - native Samuel Sholdice, ignites emotion and guides the audience through the intensity of love and loss. The music, lyrics and dialogue go together so well it's hard to imagine they were developed from the minds of two different people. The set, designed by Ronnie Burkett, was sim- ple with slight changes between scenes. The hull of the ship looms in the background throughout as a delicate reminder that the Wexford is never gone even though it rests at the bottom of Lake Huron. The Great Storm of 1913 is a subject so important in the history of Huron County, so personal, so emotional and the Fury team does it justice. They proved that through art we can begin to understand the tragedy that surrounds us. If you go see Fury, you will laugh, you will cry and ultimately you will appreciate all 25 lives lost aboard the Wexford. Fury plays at Blyth Memorial Hall from July 29 to September 12. Tick- ets are available by calling Blyth Festival's box office at 519-523-9300, toll free at 1-877-862-5984 or online at blythfestival. com. 3114a 1:30pm Clinton Raceway Silent Auction ■ Pineridge Chicken BBA Clive harness racing $2OIncIudesd�e�e °P14:00- S:OOpm r `x50/50 14 Rae* eopadiew etftditevdet $10 from each ticket goes back to the branch For more information & to purchase dinner tickets please call Clinton Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 at 519.482.3554 CLINTON www.clintonraceway.com