The Citizen-Blyth Festival, 1999-06-23, Page 22PAGE 2. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1999.
It’s magie: ideas to entertainment
And so the magic begins again.
A blank piece of paper will be
transformed by inspiration into a
script which will be interpreted by
actors, directors and designers,
which will be performed in a
beautiful setting constructed by a
team of skilled theatre artisans. A
simple idea becomes a living piece
of art to thousands of people.
Festival says
thanks with
community nights
Inspiration. imagination,
perspiration, all are ingredients in
the success of the Blyth Festival
since 1975 but all the good works
of all the artists, managers and
volunteers would have been
worthless without the support of
local audiences.
That’s why in its silver
anniversary season, the Festival is
honouring the people of western
Ontario communities for their
support over the years. Each week
a special performance will be
designated to thank the people of a
different area and they will be
invited to attend a reception in
their honour.
The special nights begin
Thursday, June 24 with a salute to
Blyth itself and the nearby
townships of Hullett and East
Wawanosh.
Other salutes planned are:
June 30 — Listowel and area
(North Perth).
July 4 — Exeter, Hensail, Zurich,
Bayfield, Hay, Stephen and
Usbome Twps.
July 13 — Mitchell, Milverton,
Monkton, Logan. Hibbert and
Blanshard Twps.
July 20 — Goderich, Clinton,
Colbome and Goderich Twps.
July 27 — Brussels, Wingham,
Morris, Grey, Howick and
Turn berry Twps.
Aug. 4 — Seaforth, McKillop,
Tuckersmith Twps.
Aug. 10 — Lucknow, Ripley,
Kincardine, West Wawanosh,
Ashiield and Kinloss Twps.
Aug. 17 — London.
Aug. i9 — Stratford
Aug. 24 — Kitchener-Waterloo,
Guelph.
BLYTH
Such is the magic the Blyth
Festival has been creating for 25
seasons, turning the ideas of
playwrights into a living, breathing
imitation of life. The Festival has
done it so well that it attracts some
of the best writers, actors,
designers and technicians in the
country to work for three months
in the little village in the country.
Theatre begins with the idea of a
playwright — it may be inspired
by a memory of his or her past, a
story passed down by generations
or a clipping from today’s
newspaper. Often a playwright will
take that idea and a rough outline
to Anne Chislett. the Blyth Festival
Artistic Director. If she thinks the
idea has possibilities she may
“commission” a play, providing
the author with up-front money to
continue working.
Developing that idea into a play
takes skill, hard work and
dedication. Once a first draft is
submitted, Chislett begins to work
with the writer to strengthen the
work. Often workshops will be
held with actors reading the parts
to let the playwright hear the work.
Often actors can make suggestions
to strengthen character or plot
development.
If a play progresses sufficiently
for Chislett to choose the play for
her season, she will assign a
director and set and costume
designer to the project. They will
work to come up with a setting that
helps express what the play is
about and gives the actors an
interesting platform for their work.
The designer, once his or her
design is accepted by the director,
works with the set builders and
costume department to bring the
ideas to life. A lighting designer
looks at the set on stage and
decides, with the director, what
lighting effects should be added.
The actors meanwhile have been
reading their scripts to find all the
little clues that will help them
make their character real. The
director helps them discover their
character and works to develop a
common style for the play.
Both the actors and director
work with the playwright to make
revisions that will make the play as
strong as it can be.
All the elements come together
in the final rehearsals on stage
when all the technical and costume
problems are worked out.
And finally, on opening night the
audience shares the magic.
CONGRATULATIONS BLYTH FESTIVAL
tfj •Houseboats
'yKT ' *GolfHolidays
’SeaWorld’Sn°
•Walt Disney World
(unlimited Magic Pass)
•Disney Cruises
(Discover uncharted Magic)
•Ontario Resorts •Quebec Resorts
For details on these and other family
vacation ideas call:
CARLSON WAG0NL1T ELLISON TRAVEL
EXETER
.(519) 235-2000 1-800-265-7022
www.ettravel.com
1 |tl 1^7 IM A W rK J■ |1 1 B 1 I « 1 ■■jK 1 c. i ■ I dt 1 ■F ■I r I W<:'
Discover the Magic of
this summer
* M *A warm WELCOME awaits you
Name the plays
How well do you know
your Blyth Festival history?
How many of the shows
featured on the cover can
you name? Write the names
of the 12 shows (starting at
top right and going
clockwise). Answers at
bottom.
1.____________________
2.____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
5. ____________________
6. ____________________
7. ____________________
8. ____________________
8.____________________
10.___________________
11.___________________
12.___________________
■)q6iupi^ aiojog
>peg ag ||,| gt lpue“| aqi
ui taino 11 ;|a6uy auoig aqi
01 -?)e3 uMopapjog 6 ‘weg
aqt cuojj ui awog J.uom oh 8
jOaei aouepuueg £ *jajq6nea
s^iauunjuung e jo peneg ‘9 *xog
Mojjocuoi aqi g !uouiuiuooe^
ailPM jo laidsuog
>pe|g aqi v !6ueo aqi u| spig
£ tasiuuojg s.uoseas jaqiouv
g !apug japjQ l!eVN I sjawsuv
Hr
Live Professional Canadian Theatre
Marvellous Little Shops
Quaint Bed and Breakfasts
☆COMING EVENTS
The Bluewater Kennel Club
Restaurants Offering Home-Cooked Meals
An Art Gallery featuring Canadian Artists
The Old Mill and Bainton's Old Mill
carrying Canada's largest selection
of wool and leather
Camping Facilities with hydro and water
★
★
Champion Dog Show
& Obedience Trials
July 6, 7, 8,1999
Huron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby
Association
38th Annual Fall Show
Enjoy a Nature Walk along the
Blyth Brook Community Greenway Trail* ☆ *
The Village of Blyth is committed to providing you
with opportunities for a most enjoyable visit ★
☆
September 10,11,12,1999
☆VILLAGE OF BLYTH COUNCIL AND
BLYTH PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Thanks Blyth Festival for all the seasons of magic!