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Clinton News-Record, 1987-06-24, Page 22Page 22-CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1987 Season opens with swe 11 new hit play By Shelley McPhee Haist BLY'I'H - Girls In the Gang is bound to be an audience favorite at the Blyth Festival this season. The comedy -musical opened the 13th season of the theatre on June 19. It opened to an enthusiastic audience and was rewarded with a standing ovation finish from the full house crowd. "Girls Iii the Gang" makes for a swell evening of entertainment filled with com- edy, great music, dance, even some dramatic moments. Best of all, it's well worth the ticket price. For opening night at the Blyth Festival, Artistic Director Katherine Kaszas chose a play that will be a guaranteed winner and a box office favorite. Great singing, music, acting and a excellent story line are part and parcel. of this new play at Blyth. "Girls In the Gang" is a departure from the usual fare served at the Blyth Festival. This production is one of the first -force musicals to be staged here in recent years. And it works well. Behind the scenes are Raymond Storey and John Roby. Storey put together the script and lyrics for the play while Roby created the music. The story line tells of the infamous Boyd Gang, the bank robbing foursome who hit the Toronto area in the late 1940's. "Girls In the Gang" is loosely based on their story - of the hold ups, the get aways, the arrests and in the end the hanging of two of the gang members. In particular, this play focuses on the women behind the men, "the girls" who were looking for a good time, for love, for husbands. The girls got more than they bargained for. Bad girl Mary Mitchell (played by Patricia Vanstone) told her friend Ann Jackson ( Karen Barker) to "take a chance. We're going to be ugly soon, then dead for a long time." "The girls," including Vanstone, Barker, Beth Anne Cole and Martha Irving give top rate performances; particularly in the vocal numbers. It is the music, the song and dance that highlight this show. Composer John Roby gives the audience jazz, blues, swing tunes that are reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s. "The girls" sing and dance their way across the stage in ,Andrews sisters style. Bad girl (Patricia Vanstone) sings sultry, vampish numbers that are reminiscent of smoky bar rooms, and cheap gin. It's like the great old black and white movie fare. It's musical, and it's romance, it's cops and robbers and it's drama all thrown into one. "The girls" have high ideals, soon to be turned to a life of crime for the men they love. "The boys" are good at heart, but cannot hack the hardships of everyday life, of work- ing and only making 500 bucks a month for filling pot holes. It's a cinch to hit a bank and come away with thousands of dollars for on- ly a few minutes work. Sure, the gang tote big machine guns, and revolvers, but no one ever gets hurt. The aim is to shoot high and wide, just to scare the bank tellers. Yet soon the rollicking good times come to an end, the Boyd fang members become the most wanted men in the nation and a huge manhunt ensues. HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY Don and Marilyn Haw Friends and Relatives are invited to celebrate the couple's Silver An- niversary at the Home of Anne and Brian Johnston, SUNDAY, JUNE 28 12 NOON -5 P.M. -Best Wishes Only. Armed robbery was their game, the Boyd Gang was their name. Neil Foster and i''e>ler Smith portray two of the famous criminals in the season opener at the Blyth Festival. Their story is told in an unconventional musical -comedy that focusses on the women behind the men. (James Hocking photo) The relationships between the couples crumble, the money runs out, people die. The fun ends for the Boyd Gang. Still, "Girls In the Gang" remains a fun, entertaining play. You'll find . no heavy drama here with the exception of momen- tary scenes thatinvolve the arrest, the kill- ing and the hanging. This is not to say that "Girls In the Gang" is to be entertaining and presents a creative blend of music, words and choreography. In one outstanding scene, two of the women sing "Let's Go Home For Christmas.'; Their bittersweet duet is sung while in the background, "The Boys" pull yet another bank job. Clever use of imaginary props add to the pleasure of this play. The repeated break outs from prison are eagerly applauded by the audience as "The Boys"' saw through imaginary jail bars, scale imaginary walls, jump imaginary 40 foot drops and run across imaginary fields. Escape from Toronto's Don Jail has never been so humourous. Credit goes to "The Boys", played by Neil Foster, Peter Smith, Greg Spottiswood, David Marr and Wayne Nicklas as the tough cop. It's good to see familiar faces back on the Blyth stage, in Peter Smith and Patricia Vanstone. The audience warmly welcomed the newcomers as well, including Beth Anne Cole who is familiar to Canadians for her musical talents. One of Canada's leading performances, she has appeared in major theatres across the country and has toured Canada and the United States in her own concert. She has also performed in concert on the Blyth stage. The Blyth Festival, while primarily known for the home grown comedies and dramas that have been staged here, can also count itself a success in musical productions. ('art of that success is due to John Roby, BUCK & DOE for Dick Robinson and Shirley McClure FRIDAY, JUNE 26 9 P.M. - 1 A.M. - NO MINORS - ELM HAVEN MOTOR HOTEL HWY, 8 WEST = CLINTON ot 215 St tAGIA• the talented composer of "Girls In The Gang." Roby first earned acclaim at the Blyth Festival with "The House that Jack Built" in 1980, "Fire On Ice" in 1981 and the popular "Country Hearts" which was stag- ed in 1982 and again in 1984 at Blyth. The actors, the composer, the playwright all deserve equal credit in the production on "C iris In The Gang." ' As well, director Stephen Heatley deserves special mention for his work on this production, for his creative and balanced blend of music and script. Kerry Hackett, costume designer, has brought together marvellous outfits for the production. "The Boys" are decked out in fine suits, trench coats and fedoras - Hum- phrey Bogart style. "The Girls" look great in their two-piece peplum styled suits, their furs, their sexy black gowns and long gloves. Lauren Bacall never looked better. While "Girls In the Gang" may not be historically accurate in the presentation of facts surrounding the famous Boyd Gang, the play proves to be popular. Back in 1940s and through the 1950s the Boyd Gang were among the most famous Canadians of their time. People were fascinated by these smooth bank robbers. Tales of the Boyd Gang made for a good story then, and continues to do so today. People would have loved "Girls In the Gang" back then, as audiences in 1987 are sure to put this play among their favorites at the Blyth Festival. "Girls In The Gang" plays on stage at Blyth until August 22. Coming EvQnts BINGO Vanastra Rec Centre. Tuesdays, 8 p.rn First reg. card $1.. fifteen reg. $20. games, three share -the -wealth. Jackpot $220. must go. Lucky Ball $180.00 (if not won). Lucky Ball increases $20. per week. Admission restricted to 16 years and over. tfar CATERING for complete satisfaction, let us cater youF next special occasion. Variety of meal plans. Captain's Cove Family Restaurant Bayfield 565.2992. 10tfar BABES IN ARMS a large scale musical, comedy by Richard Rodgers and Lorenze Hart directed by Steven Schipper, choreography mounted by Glenn Kotyk; June 30 to July 18 Main Stage at Huron Country Playhouse at 8 30 p.m, Matinees Wednesdays. Thursdays 2 30 p m. Coll (519) 238-8451. 2Sor ROSE SHOW; Clinton Horitcultural Society Friday June 26 Anglican Parish Hall, Clinton. Entries should be in place by 11 30 o.m., viewing time 2:30.8 p.m. Silver collection. Door prizes For more information 482-7896. 23,25ar BLYTH FESTIVAL - Girls in the Gang; July I. 2 (matinee), 4, 6, 7, 9, 10. Bordertown Cafe July 2, 3, 8, 9 (matinee), 11. All performances are at 8 30 p.m. except matinees which are at 2 00 p in. For tickets, call Box Office at 523.9300 9225. 250r PORK BARBECUE. Ontario Street United Church October 7, 1987. 24.25 WEDDING RECEPTION for Brenda Dupee and Dan Tyndall SATURDAY, JUNE 27 9 PM -1 AM IN VARNA BAYFIELD LIONS CLUB Pancake areukfast pan cokes, sausages. pure Baylield maple sugar. July 5. 9 a.m. • 1 p.rn Buyheld Community Centre. 25.26ar BAYFIELD PIONEER PARK Association 40th an nual Rummage Sale, Friday July 10. 8 p.rn. Bayfield Arena. Articles greatfully received Fri• day morning at arena. Consignrnent booth 60-40°°. For pick up arrangement call Donald Cook 565-2712 or Cliff Freeman 565 2751. NO LARGE APPLIANCES 25.27 SUMMER -SWIM classes start June 29 ut Vanastra Recreation Centre. Call 482 3544 for more information. 25ar CLINTON HORTICULTURAL bus trip July lB to th'e flower show at Southampton with lunch and din- ner included. and much more Call Blanche at 482-9536. 24 HURON COUNTY Family Planning invites you to attend Family Planning Clinic ever y Thursday from 6.30 p.m to 9 p m at Huron County Health Unit Public Health Wing Huronview Clinton. Counselling and medicul services provided. 49eow BAYFIELD LIONS AND LIONESS CLUB Bingo every Friday. Bayfield Community Centre Doors open 6.30 p.m. Early Bird 7 45. Jackpot. 24tfar BUCK & DOE for Judy Carter and Lee Robinson FRIDAY, JUNE 26 4004.0®0400e0000.00•00000 • BROWNI.E'S .DRIVE-IN a 169 BEECH ST., LINTON 482.7030 OPEN AT 8:30 P.M. - FIRST SHOW AT DUSK © 27.28Al a .: 440 a GoeS to Camp o O BURT -r 0 KIRK a LANCASTER � ..� TOUGH o • e , . � 0 0GUYS_.;..;:oo DOUGLAS COARSE LANGUAGE -T.B.O. • a a'oeeva eeeeee CD 6 e e e c o THIS WEEKEND: FRI.-SAT.-SUN., JUNE 26, Erne s,PARENTALI EI GUIDANCE I This weekend at Brownie's T Drive -In -- see "Ernest Goes to Camp" and "Tough Guys" for half price. THIS THURSDAY - FRIDAY SATURDAY - SUNDAY With Every Purchase of our 16" Square Pizza you'll get 1 DISCOUNT COUPON PER PERSON PER PIZZA Coupon Good This Weekend - Friday - Saturday - Sunday at Brownie's Drive -1n0 FRIDAY & SATURDAY all your favourite tunes Great Dance floor - music at conversational levels *************** FRIDAY NIGHT BUFFET 4or.od from 5 p..a. 7 p n.- Ivory Friday...Heat Foaotori.o9 itallea. Food •pagleottl, lowgam, pollee dl•l.o•, r..rl soled bar. A�691J delta a o®. FAMILY BRUNCH SERVED EVERY SUNDAY 10 AM - 2 PM Includes ',amoral salad". fruits, loo" Mahon. deamerh. All you can act. SUNDAY BUFFET SERVED EVERY WEEK 4 PM - 7:30 PM FULL MENU WITH DAILY SPECIALS including full salad Lear FRESH FI >H DAILY WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Fria 6 Sat., June 26 & 27 "Dave MacDonald Duo" OUR OUTDOOR PATI-..:. IS NOW OPEN! ��caw " r��i� 111 FREE PIZZA DELIVERY EVERYWHERE IN TOWN ® FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5 PM TILL CLOSING r .r OPEN 7 days a week 11:30 .ns -1 ern *scant Sunday open 10 Stan -7:30 Bess 28 HURON STREET, CLINTON H't-'URS' CM Y DAYS A WEEK Y A.M.- '2 MIDNIGHT EXCEPT FRIDAY' SATUR`OAY N'I'GHTS TILL 2 A.M. HIGHWAY 21 BAYFIELD 565-2992