The Citizen, 1999-09-08, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1999. PAGE 19.
E ntertainment
Theatre review
‘Death’ relives an era
The family gathers
Doon hosts fair
and power show
In Death of The Hired Man, the performers proved that acting is hard work. David Petersen as
Bull, front left, Warren Sulatycky as Jacob and Jack Nicholsen as Norman Emerson, back
ground, vividly depict the exhausting days of the threshing era in this collective conceived and
directed by Paul Thompson, which opened at Blyth Festival on Friday night. There are seven
performances left.
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
If you come to Blyth Festival’s
Death of The Hired Man expecting
to see the untimely demise of some
poor unfortunate you will be sur
prised.
The death referred to in the title of
this collective conceived and direct
ed by Paul Thompson, which
opened Fnday night, is a symbolic
reference to the death of an era, pos
sibly one of the most romantic in
agricultural history.
But in its telling, the story shares
insights into an often difficult way
of life, full of pressures and conflict.
It is about the changing of the guard,
the demise of old ways and the fear
of the new.
Norman and Alma (Jack
Nicholsen and Kelly McIntosh) are
a devoted young couple, who have
taken over the family farm from
Norman’s aged father, Walter
(Robert Nasmith), who still resides
with them. One of the more endear
ing bits of humour comes when
Walter tells the young couple at
breakfast how nice it is to be togeth
er. “Just like a family,” he says
before questioning why they put up
the wall to divide the house. With a
smile Norman’s response is they
Cell phone stolen from auto
On Sept. I around 10:30 a.m. a
report was received of a cell phone
being stolen from a vehicle in
Hullett Twp. on Cone. 1 1. The
owner said sometime through the
night someone entered the family
vehicle, parked in the driveway and
took Motorola 650E Flex phone.
The phone was in a black carry
case and had a serial number
ED9356BC.
Anyone who has information on
the phone is asked to notify the
Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers.
thought Dad would like some priva
cy.
As the threshing team arrives and
prepares to set to work stories
evolve that illustrate their passions,
their fears and insecurities, their
frustrations. Norman’s older brother,
Bull played by David Petersen, went
out on his own many years before
after a fight with his father.
Frustrated by his father’s refusal to
trade in horses for a tractor, modem
and traditional collide in an intense
confrontation.
Ironically, it is Bull who cautious
ly hangs on to the old ways when his
brother suggests buying a combine.
Two of the younger crew mem
bers, Robbie (Shawn Benson) and
Gill Garratt as Bull’s son, Artie, are
not content to stay on the farm. Artie
in particular is tom between the
world beyond and commitment and
duty to family. His father’s struggle
to let him discover the answer could
be felt by every parent in the audi
ence.
Rounding out the cast is Warren
Sulatycky as Jacob, the owner and
avid fan of the threshing machine,
Bruce Beaton as Rabbit and
Christopher Morris as Glenn.
For the most part the production
effectively relives the time. The cast
is excellent and works hard for their
Buck & Doe
for
John Lowe &
Lisa Brickwood
Sat., Sept. 11, 1999
B.M. & G. Community Centre
9:00 p.m. ■ 1:00 a.m.
$5.00 per ticket
Age of majority only, Music by DJ
Lunch Provided
money, with shirts and brows soaked
just minutes into the production.
You feel the heat, hear the noise and
sense the exhaustion.
The play is short, just under two
hours with no intermission, but
could be even shorter. One scene in
particular between Rabbit and Katie
(with McIntosh in a brief dual role)
is seemingly only there to give
Rabbit something more to do.
While Thompson and his cast
have recreated an image admirably,
the real star, however is the thresh
ing machine, designed by Glenn
Davidson and his production crew.
They promised it would make an
entrance and it did to rousing
applause.
Also impressive is the set, which
plants you firmly in the bam. (Note:
when selecting your seats you may
want to avoid the right seats. With
some of the play taking place over
your head, not only do you miss the
action, but you catch a bit of falling
straw too.)
Death of the Hired Man, as shown
by the standing ovation it received
from some, hits the right nostalgic
cord with a good many. For those
who don’t remember it should if
nothing else remind how much we
have gained — and what we have
lost.
Atwood Lions
Bingo
every Thursday
Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Starts at 7:OO p.m.
Jackpot $500.
on 54 calls
Pot of Gold $500.
on 58 calls
Loonie Bin
The villagers and farmers at
Doon Heritage Crossroads invite
you to take part in a 1914 Fall Fair
and Antique Power Show on
Sunday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. -
4:30 p.m.
Set in the autumn amidst the
blazing colours and cool, crisp air,
fall fairs were an important event to
the rural community. It was the
culmination of a year’s worth of
effort - the best of the best was
ready for competition. Musical
entertainment, the penny carnival
and the livestock displays made the
fair a special event for everyone in
the community. Step back in time
and experience a recreated 1914
Fall Fair and Antique Power Show
at Doon Heritage Crossroads on
Sunday, Sept. 19. Enjoy the
LEARN TO CLOG
with the
Carry On Cloggers
New Beginners
Adults & Children
Welcome
REGISTRATION
Tues. Sept. 14
6:30-8:00
Vanastra Rec Centre
Wed. Sept. 15
6:30-8:00
Goderich Livery
For More Information
Call Norma
482-3141
9, 10, 11
Projects now on display.
Early registrations accepted.
524-1061
56 Courthouse Sq.
GODERICH
PARK THEATRE
* Julia Roberts Hugh Grant
' Notting Hill
FRI. - THURS., SEPTEMBER 10 -16
H» family
LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-000-265*3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO
FRI.-SUN. ONLY
FRI. & SAT. 7 PM
SUN. MAT. 2 PM
FRI. & SAT. 9 PM
SUN.-THURS. 8 PM
FRI. & SAT.
6:45 & 9:15 PM
SUN. - THURS. 8 PM
musical entertainment, take in the
fair exhibits and antique power
show and spend time visiting with
the villagers and farmers.
Call 748-1914 for entry rules for
competitions in baking, produce
and crafts. Doon will be accepting
entries on Saturday, Sept. 18
between 1 and 4 p.m. and Sunday,
Sept. 19, between 9 and 10 a.m.
-------- - ■ — r —
Canada has one of the
highest rates of multiple
sclerosis in the world.
Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada
1-800-268-7582
LEARN TO CLOG
with the
Carry On Cloggers
New Beginners
Adults & Children
Welcome
REGISTRATION
Tues. Sept. 14
6:30-8:00
Vanastra Rec Centre
Wed. Sept. 15
6:30-8:00
Goderich Livery
For More Information
Call Norma
482-3141
Qofden
Maurice and Maureen Bean
are celebrating their
50th Wedding Anniversary
on
Sun., Sept. 19, 1999
with an Open House at
Auburn Community Hall
from 2-4 p.m.
Best Wishes Only Please