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The Citizen, 2000-08-23, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2000. PAGE 19. Entertainment & Leisure Blyth kids experience acting collectively Company pair Blyth’s Shanda Loder and John Battye are enjoying their summer experience with the Blyth Festival’s Young Company. (Sarah Mann photo) By Sarah Mann Special to The Citizen From Aug/22 - 29 the Blyth Festival honours its members Members of the Blyth Festival can expect a warm welcome at The Garage Theatre on Members’ Day, Friday, Aug. 25. The events of the afternoon will include a welcome from Artistic Director Anne Chislett, insights on the history of the theatre from guest speaker James Roy, and a staged reading of Keith Roulston’s new play McGillicuddy. Members' Day provides an oppor­ tunity for the Blyth Festival to express its appreciation to the many individuals whose support allows the theatre to create quality productions that give voice to both the region and the country. Membership donations not only contribute to the financial security of the Blyth Festival, but also raise its profile. Fund Development Co-ordinator Festival Young Company will be performing Outdoor Donnellys: Part 1. This is a collective creation in Matt Harsant said, "Each member­ ship validates our mission by show­ ing that our community and our audi­ ences believe in what we do.” An important part of the Blyth Festival’s mandate is new play devel­ opment, which includes processes such as staged readings. Those attending the staged reading of McGillicuddy will recognized pro­ CRIMIE <»TOPPIER«> 1-800-222-TIPS which the actors contribute to the action and script. Director Michael Ripley explains, “Is a play that’s cre­ ated by the actors and facilitated by the directors.” John Battye of Blyth who is 14 years old has been with the Young Company for two seasons. This is the First collective he has ever done and says that “it’s pretty hard but it’s fun...it's a challenge." Battye has been learning a lot about the purpose of a collective. “It helps to get into character. It’s a bet­ ter learning experience than if we were handed a script.” Theatre as a career, he says, "is definitely something I’d like to pur­ sue professionally.” He enjoys act­ ing because it gives him a chance to escape from reality. “It lets me do things I've never been able to do before.” Battye says that doing a collective is a lot more work because they have to make the lines up themselves. Shanda Loder of Blyth,17, is with the Young Company for her first sea­ son. Loder also says that doing a collective is a lot more work because it's not just nine to five. “There's a lot of homework involved. It takes a lot of concentration.” When asked if theatre is something she would like to pursue as a career she replied that it’s something she’s trying. “I’m not sure what I want to do so I might as well give it a shot.” She says that the approach to doing a collective is “neat because you feel like you're creating the play, you feel like you’re actually a part of fessional actors from The Drawer Bay reading the roles. In the cast, * under the direction of Layne Coleman, will be Gil Garratt, John Blackwood and Linda Goranson. Everyone is invited to attend the afternoon’s proceedings, which will begin at l p.m. Admission is free. Those planning to attend may RSVP to Harsant at 519-523-4345. it. It’s hard but it’s fun." Ripley says that working with young actors is “extremely reward­ ing” because they don't have the pre­ conceived notions about what being an actor is. Paul Thompson, known for his many professional collective works, is the guest director. He says that working with the Young Company is “another world”. Thompson likes hearing about why they got into the­ atre. This new adaptation of the local but world renowned saga will explore both the legendary and his­ torical aspects of the story as the members of the Young Company concentrate on what Thompson says is the focus of the production, “the theme of youth growing up in a changing world.” Throughout the performance, audience members will be walking from site to site to get a feel for the landscape, Loder says. Those with mobility challenges will be stationed at a particular site and will not be able to see the whole show. Thompson says that trying to find locations in town where the story might make sense is difficult. “But the community has been very help­ ful.” There will even be a special per­ formance at the Huron Historic Goal in Goderich on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and you can order them by calling the Blyth Festival 36appg. 25tA dtmiu-e.’i.&a'i.y. Bert & Joan Vandendool August 22, 1975 With love Andrea, KellyAnn and Laurie Box Office at 523-9300. Performances will be cancelled only in the event of severe weather. If drizzling bring an umbrella. Torihmmmg Marriage In celebration of love Lorna and Randy Fraser are honoured to announce the marriage of their daughter Kathleen Irene Fraser to Ronald Bradley Abell-Rinn son of Theresa Abell-Rinn & John Rinn Saturday, August 26, 2000 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clinton 1 Happy 60 f j Anniversary j 1 Trnes/ <C /Inna <Sne/l K i The family invites you to an OPEN HOUSE Sat., August 26 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Westfield Hall CSEUO. KEB TWIN CINEMA M | SURROUND SOUND STERE()| M LISTOWEL 291-3070 STARTS FRIDAY CINEMA 1 7 P.M. pg EDDIE MURPHY NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS CINEMA 1 9 PM AA MEL GIBSON PATRIOT CINEMA 2 7 & 9:30 PM WHAT LIES BENEATH HARRISON EORD AA Look who’s 1! August 26 Happy 90th Birthday Happy Birthday Jenna Love Mommy & Daddy The family of Retta Hoover invite you to a Come & Go 90th Birthday Party Sunday, August 27, 2000 1.30 - 3.30 p.m. Huronlea, Brussels Best Wishes Only Please!