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The Citizen, 1988-09-07, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988. Blyth Festival actress Donna Farron and her two sons, Dylan, 11 [left] and Jesse, 9, say they are “just like any other family. ’ ’ They rented a house in Brussels for the Festival season, then fell in love with the village and decided to stay. With the family are pets Ginny and Fritz. Gib Cadet ChbGodet Actor's family 'just folks' BY TOBY RAINEY When Donna Farron and her two sons moved to a rented house in Brussels last June, it was only supposed to be a summer thing, a place where Ms. Farron could be handy to her work and yet have the privacy she needed for her job’s heavy demands; where the boys could enjoy the freedom of a small-town summer; and where husband and father Nigel could be homeasoftenas his work would permit. But the family liked Brussels and its people so much that within a month they had decided to esta­ blish a home here, a home as permanent as Donna’s and Nigel’s unorthodox careers will allow. Their new landlords were enthusi­ astic about the decision, and the boys were so happy with it that they asked if they could stay in the village “for ever.’’ “Even if you and Dad have to move again, couldn’t we stay here with Leanne?” asked nine-year- old Jesse on behalf of himself and his 11-year-old brother, Dylan. Leanne is their “very favouritist baby-sitter in the world,’’ the daughter of Grey Township Reeve Leona Armstrong and her teacher husband, Jim. Diplomatically, the boys are also quick to suggest that they could be happy with one of their other regular sitters as well - local teenagers Bobbi-Jo Rut­ ledge, Linda Shaw, Michelle Ma- chan or Sherri Jacklin, all of whom came in at various times this past summer to take charge while Ms. Farron worked. Donna Farron is one of the most popular actresses to appear on the Blyth Festival stage this season, first as the sensible and efficient May Reimer in the popular “Cookie War, ’’ and later as the brassy and authentic American- born grandmother, Maxine, in “Bordertown Cafe." In all, Ms. Farronwillhavecarrieda major role in more than 40 performances by the time “Bordertown” closes in Blyth September 17 (“Cookie” closed last Saturday) and will then travel with “Bordertown” on an eight-week tour throughout south­ ern Ontario, including a month at the Factory Theatre in Toronto, and at several stops in northern Ontario. During the two months that she is on tour, Ms. Farron’s husband, a free-lance television art director working mostly in Toronto, will be in Brussels with Jesse and Dylan, as will their grandfather for part of the time. But despite her gruelling schedule, Ms. Farron insists that above all, her family comes first. “We’re just a family, like every­ body else in Brussels,” she says. “The only difference is that instead of going to work at the bank every day, I work on the stage, and the boys’father has a job thatkeeps him away from home much of the time.” It’s the family aspect of living in Brussels that most appeals to Ms. Farron, as well as to her sons. “This is such a marvellous town,” she says. “We’ve all been totally accepted, without any of the stand- offishness we’ve sometimes felt in other places, as theatre people. “And the boys already know most of the kids in town, and can go anywhere on their bikes. They’ve both been in swimming lessons all summer, and have both been up in Jim (Armstrong’s) plane, and Dylan was part of the Brussels Squirts ball team that made it as far as the Tri-county Finals this summer, and hopes to get into hockey this winter. “This summer has been one of the best things that has ever happened to us - a very, very positive experience," she con­ cludes, adding that both boys are very excited about starting school in Brussels this week. Dylan in Grade 6 and Jesse in Grade 4. Although Ms. Farron made her first appearance at the Blyth Festival this summer, she is a much respected stage performer, having appeared at the Stratford Festival, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and at the Factory Theatre in Toronto, as well as in a number of television productions, including CBC's “MacKenzie King,” CBS's “Miles to Go,” and as a voice in the animated “Dennis the Menace.” She also won an ACTRA award as the best actress of 1985 for her part as Margaret in CBC’s drama “Free Enterprise, and earlier was cited as the season ’ s Best Director for her work with an Ottawa company in the stage production of “Change Partners and Dance.” The talented actress is also a nationally-recognized naive (not formally trained) painter, working with acrylics on canvas. Out of some 800 entries, one of her works was chosen as a cover for the Canadian Medical Journal several years ago; she has shown her works at a private show in Elora and has paintings for sale in a Toronto gallery, as well as taking on commissioned work “whenever time permits.” Ms. Farron hopes to find time to do more painting once the Festival tour is over in late November, and would love to win one or more roles on the Blyth stage next season. “I don’t think a lot of people realize just how much professional respect the Blyth Festival has all across Canada,” she says, “And I don’t think they realize just how prestigious it is that a Festival play has scooped the theatre world to appear at (Toronto’s) Factory Theatre for a month this fall. “A lot of professionals would pass up both the Stratford and ShawFestiv^lsforachance to work at Blyth - there’s such a lot of freshness and enthusiasm here that you don’t get anywhere else. And Blyth’s mandate of producing new Canadian plays is such an incredible challenge, and such an important part of keeping Cana­ dian culture alive. “I’d certainly welcome the opportunity to go on working here - I hope there are roles for me in the 1989 season!” Drive off with A Bargain in the Classified Section. Power Equipment Don’t Let Your Yard Control Your Life Show your yard who’s boss with Cub Cadet's 12 H.P. lawn tractor. This tractor features a_ Briggs & Stratton Industrial/Commercial engine, 5-speed transmission, and optional attachments like a high- vacuum cutting deck and twin bagger, snowthrower, snow blade and dethatcher. Stop In today, and learn how to control your yard instead of letting it control you. NO INTEREST NO PAYMENTS Till March 1, 1989 SEAFORTH 527*0120 Power Equipment *N0 INTEREST * NO PAYMENTS Until March 1, 1989 Power Equipment SEAFORTH 527 0120 Has collected many of your photographs during the past year. If you have left a photo with us and would like it back, please visit us at the Brussels or Blyth office. “THE BLYTH PRINT SHOP” We’re located Mam St. Blyth Phone: 523-9211 HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN TO PICK-UP YOURPICTURES?