Loading...
The Citizen, 1991-08-07, Page 23First stop Entertainment Kelly Rebar play ends season THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7,1991. PAGE 23. Artist and quilter Ellen Adams (centre) chats, at the opening of her show at the Bainton Gallery, Blyth Festival Saturday night, with Eunice Diamond (left) and Jo Manning, curators of the show. Featured are quilts inspired by Art Deco elevator doors from skyscraper office buildings. The Blyth show is the first stop in a world wide tour for the exhibition of work by the Ayton artist. The tour ends in 1995 in New Zealand. 523-9168 HWY. #4 LONDESBORO Right next door to Radford's Farm Equipment SPECIAL WEDDING & ANNIVERSARY ARRANGEMENTS Writer Kelly Rebar takes her audience to the prairie world of Southern Alberta in her newest play, Cornflower Blue, opening at the Blyth Festival on August 8. Cornflower Blue takes viewers home through the lives of four childhood friends, as they weave their comic and touching stories, accompanied by music of the coun­ try composed by Michael Taylor. “Like Mervyl Hamstead, the cen­ tral figure in Kelly's play, the place you grow up in - wherever that may be - is always with you. You carry those years of experiences, stories, people and they, in turn, carry you. These are the stories that Kelly Rebar has told in Cornflower Blue. Her stories show us the won­ der in the ordinary; the magnifi­ cence of the simple person who lives an honest, truthful life. She makes us feel the value of those cherished people around us and helps us understand even more what it means to be where we are and how to share this amazing world with others.” Playwright Kelly Rebar is well known for her popular play Border­ town Cafe which premiered in Blyth in 1987, toured throughout Ontario in 1988, has been produced by theatres across Canada, and was adapted into a feature film which was released earlier this summer by Flat City Films and Cineplex/ Famous Players. Kelly received the 1990 Canadian Author's Award for Drama for Bordertown Cafe. Other plays by Rebar include First Snow­ ball, The Artist, All Over the Map and Checkin' Out. In addition writ­ ing the screenplay of Bordertown Cafe, she has had several film and television scripts produced. Corn­ flower Blue is her most recent work. “It seems to me very few people understand the need writers have for patience and trust from their colleagues,” says Rebar. “Writing a new play and having it produced for the first time requires, by its very process, great faith and courage from every person con­ nected with the production. In order for these theatre people to do their jobs, they must put the writer's needs ahead of their own. I'd like to express my appreciation to the Blyth Festival, especially to Peter Smith, to director Kim McCaw, the designers, the cast and crew, and to composer Michael Taylor.” Bluegrass music by Michael Tay­ lor weaves in and out of the Corn­ flower story. Together he and Gary “Humphrey” Walsh perform on stage in Cornflower Blue. They're founding members of “Humphrey and the Dumptrucks” of Saskatoon fame who produced seven albums and toured most comers of Canada between 1967-81. In 1989 Taylor composed and performed the music for James Reaney's Sticks and Stones at Blyth. His other theatre credits include Cruel Tears at Persephone Theatre and Arts Club; Collected Works of Billy the Kids for Saidye Bronfman and No Wor­ ries Yet at Young People's Theatre. He lives year round in Stratford and Help Spread The Word: LITERACY FB/Y f A In twenty-two ■ AV ■ I O African countries less than half the people can read or write. plays with Earnie's Wank, the stage-hand band. Cornflower Blue is directed by Kim McCaw, with assistant direc­ tion by Laurel Paetz and was com­ missioned by Prairie Theatre Exchange. Dennis Hom designs the set, Mary Fulford designs the cos­ tumes and Lesley Wilkinson is lighting designer. The play received workshops as part of the Blyth Festival New Play Develop­ ment Program in December, 1990 and March, 1991 and at the Banff Playwright's Colony in June, 1991. Cornflower Blue is sponsored by John Labatt Limited. Tickets for Cornflower Blue can be reserved by calling the Blyth Festival Box Office at (519) 523-9300. WETLANDS ARE NOT WASTELANDS Wetlands purify water, help control flooding, and provide valuable wildlife habitat. For more information on the importance of wetlands, contact P.O Box 2800, Peterborough, Ontario federation Ontario K9J 8L5 (705) 748-6324 Fax (705) 748-! Happy 19th Diane Luv Stine & Red Gitl/e ilia ye Jforaf Graf/s OPEN Monday-Saturday 12-6 p.m. YOUR FORESTS, YOUR BE WATER SMART. DIVING IN SHALLOW WATER SHATTERS LIVES. THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY CANADA Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation Happy 14th Birthday Kim F From a Friend? the Blyth Iw THURSDAY NIGHT IS WING NIGHT Wings 30e each MINIMUM ORDER 10 a variety of sauces available SORRY NO TAKE-OUTS Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. & Sat. 5 P.M. - 8 P.M. ONLY CHICKEN WINGS & CHIPS $4.95 EAT IN OR TAKE OUT THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES PIZZA BUY ONE & GET A 2ND FOR 1/2 PRICE 5P.M. - MIDNIGHT EAT IN OR TAKE OUT ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 9- 10 Mike McCullough 523-9381 L.L.B.O.