2019 Season Brochure by Blyth Festival

LIVE. ORIGINAL. CANADIAN. THEATRE.

BLYTH CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - PO BOX 10, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0

June 12 to September 28, 2019

SUPPORT US At the Blyth Festival, we are grateful for your support of this region’s only professional theatre company dedicated to producing and presenting stories that originate here in Huron County but resonate across the country. By donating to the Festival, you are enriching the cultural community, playing a role in the creation of live, original Canadian theatre.

BENEFITS OF DONATIONS OF $50 OR MORE: •Blyth Spirit receptions •Behind the scenes tours •Early booking privileges •Recognition online •Curtain Call - our Members Only newsletter

There are many ways to donate, whether it’s through monthly giving, legacy gift, membership, or new opportunities that pop up along the way. Visit www.blythfestival.com/why-give for more information! The Blyth Festival is a registered charitable organization.

Registered Charitable number: 11881 2056 RR0001. All donations over $20 receive a tax receipt.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Over the past 45 years, the Blyth Festival has premiered more than 135 Canadian plays. Hit comedies, moving dramas, true stories, wild yarns, plays that celebrate our lives and plays that lampoon them. Plays that touch our hearts, plays that leave us slapping our knees, plays that change the way we see our world and our place in it. Plays by Canadians for Canadians. Many of these plays have gone on to national acclaim, winning Governor Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Awards, Chalmers Awards, been Finalists for the Premierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Awards, seen critical acclaim, and standing ovations. In each instance, Blyth audiences were the ones who saw them first. From the very beginning, foundational plays by writers like Alice Munro, Lister Sinclair, Carol Shields, Carol Bolt, Paul Thompson, Gordon Pinsent, Keith Roulston, Ted Johns, and Anne Chislett set the stage for a theatre that was vibrant, adventurous, and deeply rooted in community. Their charge was followed by the flourishing work of writers like Michael Healey, Leanna Brodie, Andrew Moodie, Beverley Cooper, and Paul Ciufo. And now the next generation is poised to take the mantle, writers like Mark Crawford, Falen Johnson, Marie Beath Badian, and dozens more, right now igniting their pens and keyboards, imagining you, here. Imagining you sitting right here in the Blyth Festival Theatre. Our playwrights are poised to welcome you to Blyth, and to share with you that singular experience: being there at the very beginning.

Season Sponsor

@GilGarratt

Media Sponsor

Hospitality Sponsor

Cover and play images by Kelly Stevenson

June 12 to August 10 | World Premiere

JUMBO

#bfJumbo Written by Sean Dixon Directed by Gil Garratt Circus Master Manon Beaudoin

It’s one of the biggest stories in the history of South Western Ontario. Literally. From playwright Sean Dixon (The Wilberforce Hotel, Lost Heir), comes the story of one of the biggest names in show business, the one, the only, Jumbo the Elephant. In the early fall of 1885, P.T. Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth toured South Western Ontario, playing to sold out crowds. On the bill, among the snake charmer, the aerialists, the tightrope walkers, the contortionists, and the famous bearded lady, Annie Jones, were 28 elephants led by the world renowned Jumbo. Between their stops in Guelph and London, Barnum’s circus played the bustling railroad city of St. Thomas, Ontario to standing ovations. But on that fateful night, when the circus cars were being packed back up, an unscheduled freight train, travelling unbreakably fast through the railyard, ended the career, and the life, of the biggest superstar in the world. A cast of larger-than-life characters, including PT Barnum himself, Matthew Scott the elephant trainer, the Bearded Annie Jones, and a world-famous taxidermist, fill this riveting play that brings a Jumbo-sized Ontario history to life, memorializing the legendary final performance of the most famous pachyderm the world has ever known.

Sean Dixon

Gil Garratt

Opening Night Gala: Friday, June 14 | 5:45pm | $75 Be part of the celebrations of the opening of our 45th Season of live, original Canadian theatre in rural Ontario. Join Blyth Festival’s staff, playwrights, directors, donors and friends for dinner prior to the 2019 Season opening performance of Jumbo. Manon Beaudoin

Production Co-Sponsor

Media Sponsors

June 26 to August 10

#bfCake

CAKEWALK

Written by Colleen Curran Directed by Kelli Fox

In celebration of our 45th anniversary, we are bringing back one of the sweetest, most requested revivals in our decorated history. Cakewalk by Colleen Curran is a delicious comedy that premiered at the Blyth Festival in 1984 and went on to international acclaim. In celebration of Canada Day, a small town decides to hold a cake baking competition and everyone from the community is lining up for the chance to win a dream vacation and county-wide bragging rights. It’s enough to bring a local nun out of her habit, send a mother-of-the-bride running with five layers (topper and all), and to unleash the winner-take-all cut-throat tactics of the town’s normally dependable Cub Scout troop leader. The oven mitts are off. Someone’s going home with the trophy, and someone is getting butter-creamed. This show will be the icing on our 45th anniversary cake.

Colleen Curran

Featuring Actors:

Kelli Fox

Rebecca Auerbach

Catherine Fitch

Production Co-Sponsor

Caroline Gillis

Lucy Hill

Rachel Jones

Media Sponsor

1.877.862.5984 BLYTHFESTIVAL.COM

July 31 to September 5

#bfTeam

THE TEAM ON THE HILL Written by Dan Needles

Directed by Severn Thompson

Few Canadian writers have had the kind of hand-in-work-glove relationship to rural audiences that Dan Needles has had. Winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wingfield series has been performed all over Canada, including on the CBC and at the Stratford Festival. Member of the Order of Canada, Dan is well known for his work as an artist with one hand on a hayfork. The Team on the Hill carries all of Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wit and unparalleled observation of farm life into a rich, funny, and moving family drama about life on the home-farm, complete with its nostalgia for the way things used to be, and struggles with succession. The Ransier farm is a working cattle farm on the north side of a drumlin. Austin Ransier, the patriarch of the Ransier family, has farmed this land his whole life. An ambitious, hard-working farmer in his youth, Austin now finds himself relegated to mending the fences and sitting like a sentry on the porch. His grandson Larry, fresh from agriculture school, is ready to take on the mantle, and has a wellspring of new ideas from college, and a different approach to the inputs and outputs than those generations that have come before. But Ray, Larryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, wants none of it. As son and grandson wrestle over the future of the land, a developer with motivated investors and blueprints for a golf course arrives to complicate matters. Are there ever enough acres for father and son to work side by side? The Team on the Hill was premiered by Theatre Orangeville in May 2013. Production Co-Sponsors

Media Sponsor

Dan Needles

Severn Thompson

August 7 to September 6 | WORLD PREMIERE

#bfWettlaufer

IN THE WAKE OF WETTLAUFER Written by Kelly McIntosh & Gil Garratt

Featuring Actor Robert King

Directed by Gil Garratt

Created with compassion from interviews with some of those most closely affected, including some families who lost loved ones, nurses and PSWs working in assisted living, and many others, this new Blyth Festival play asks if our community can ever be the same? The play follows a group of siblings who are in the process of moving their elderly father into long-term care. The family grapples with all of the struggles families in this circumstance endure: unresolved rivalries, differences of opinion in the level of care, siblings spread across the country, arm wrestles over power-of-attorney, and their own conflicting memories of their lives with their father. The care home where their father has been placed, turns out to have been the same as one where Elizabeth Wettlaufer committed multiple murders. After the case breaks, and the confession has been made public, the siblings become deeply concerned with the details of the case in the media, and ultimately attend the trial and the inquiry, taking in as many of the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proceedings as they can. Grappling with the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings, but galvanized by the love of family, the siblings try to understand how all of this could happen in a country such as ours, and try to imagine a better way. A hard-hitting, but life-affirming story of compassion, family, and hope for change.

Kelly McIntosh

Gil Garratt

Production Co-Sponsors

1.877.862.5984 BLYTHFESTIVAL.COM

September 11 to September 28

#bfBandB

BED AND BREAKFAST Written by Mark Crawford

Directed by Ashlie Corcoran

Brett and Drew are a young professional couple caught in the stifling, soul-crushing climb up the corporate ladder in Toronto. Living together in a minuscule condo, and trying in vain to carve out a future, the clouds suddenly part when Brett’s beloved Aunt Maggie passes away and leaves her nephew a stately Victorian home in the tiny tourist town where Brett grew up. Faced with another year in the rat-race, or the fantasy of moving to the country and opening a B&B, they decide to embark on a new frontier of lavender pillow sachets and fresh scones, far from the fumes of the 401. But can these big city boys really adapt to a life with fewer lattés? Can the chin wagging locals at the gas bar cope with change? Is the sleepy little town ready to welcome Brett back to the fold? Bed and Breakfast is a slap-down, drag ’em out comedy about being truly “out” in small town Ontario; a heartfelt knee-slapper about the secrets that we keep, and the sometimes challenging joy of choosing a place to call home. In five short years, Mark Crawford has gone from a never-produced playwright making his debut at the Blyth Festival as the author of 2014’s Stag and Doe to being one of the most produced playwrights in all of Canada. Of Mark’s four plays for adults, three premiered at Blyth (Stag and Doe, 2014, The Birds and the Bees, 2016, and The New Canadian Curling Club, 2018).

Media Sponsor

Mark Crawford

Ashlie Corcoran

PHILLIPS STUDIO

SINK OR SWIM Aug. 20 to 24

A HappyGoodThings production Written and Performed by Beverley Elliott Directed by Lynna Goldhar Smith Music directed by Bill Costin Projection design by Jordan Lloyd Watkins

This one-woman show that recently won Best Musical at the United Solo Festival in NYC is written and performed by Beverley Elliott, an artist who has deep local roots. She will be accompanied on piano by Bill Costin. Through songs and anecdotes, Beverley weaves a warm and humorous tale that takes the audience back to her childhood, growing up in Listowel, in Perth County. She reminisces on the loss of the farm, the move to a home by the highway, the arrival of the oneroom schoolhouse and lessons by a crusty teacher, the existence of bullies and heroes, all of which are told with delightful charm. Think ‘Lord of the Flies meets Little House on the Prairie.’ It’s heartfelt, funny, hopeful and all true. Beverley Elliott has had a meteoric career on stage and screen, widely known for her role as Granny in Once Upon a Time.

Aug. 27 TO 31

Presented by Blyth Festival

ROCKO AND NAKOTA

Written and performed by Josh Languedoc Directed by Eric Smith

Rocko and Nakota: Tales from the Land, written and performed by Indigenous artist Josh Languedoc, is a compelling one-man show named among the Top 6 Picks of the Fringe in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Vancouver. Meet Nakota. A young boy who is sick in the hospital and trying to write the greatest story ever. One day, Grandpa Rocko comes for a visit. Next thing Nakota knows, he is whisked away into a world of stories that are right below his feet. Within the land. This show explores the interplay between stories of the present against the long-forgotten stories of the past. It is a powerful marriage of storytelling and transformatively moving dialogue. Now based in Edmonton, Josh has family on reserve at Saugeen First Nation. This production was made possible through the support of the Edmonton Heritage Council, Playwrights Guild of Canada, and the Banff Centre’s 2018 Indigenous Storytelling and Spoken Word Residency.

YOUTH OUTREACH

Blyth Festival Young Company Eco Echo a play for Greta Thunberg In December 2018, at the UN climate summit, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg stood up in front of an auditorium full of world leaders and told them they were “behaving like irresponsible children”. In January 2019, she stood in front of the global business elite in Davos, Switzerland and decried: “Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular, have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money. And I think many of you here today belong to that group of people.” In the past year, through her inspiring acts of defiant truth-telling, Greta has become the face of a bold new environmental movement, led by young people, many of whom are not even franchised to vote. From Climate School Walk Outs, to her powerful Ted Talk, to her international call for action, Greta is changing the world. Together with director and co-creator Pippa Johnstone, The Blyth Festival Young Company is generating an Eco Echo. “If I live to be 100, I will be alive in the year 2103. When you think about “the future” today, you don’t Photo Source: Facebook think beyond the year 2050. By then I will, in the best case, not even have lived half of my life. What happens next?” Young Company Sponsored by

ON STAGE IN 2019

SUN

Blyth Memorial Community Hall 431 Queen Street Jumbo - Jumbo Cake - Cakewalk Hill - The Team on the Hill Wettlaufer - In the Wake of Wettlaufer B&B - Bed & Breakfast

JUNE

MAINSTAGE

PHILLIPS STUDIO

The Blyth Festival is housed in the Blyth Memorial Community Hall, 431 Queen Street in the rural village of Blyth. Directions: Located on Huron County Rd. 4, south of Hwy 86, north of Hwy 8. Parking: Free on all side streets and in the town parking lot across from the theatre.

AUGUST

Swim - Sink or Swim Rocko - Rocko and Nakota YoCo - Young Company

JULY

209 Dinsley Street

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Bonanza Weekend AUG 9-11 Purchase a Bonanza Pass and see four plays in three days. A Blyth Festival tradition! Opening Night Gala Dinner June 14 | 5:45pm | $75 Celebrate the season in style at our Gala Opening Night Dinner in the Lower Hall.

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Country Suppers | $22 Home-cooked meals served at local venues. Blyth Spirit Members at the $50+ level are invited to join Artistic Director Gil Garratt & company members at a pre-show reception in the Lower Hall. RSVP required.

SEPTEMBER

CKNX Night - June 12 | $9.20 Join our friends at CKNX Radio for a performance preview! Proceeds to benefit the Actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fund of Canada.

Talk Back Blyth Festival is a proud and active member of: Join cast members after the 2pm performance for an informal talk in the Lower Hall.

GOOD SCENTS POLICY

Blyth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of: an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ontario

On behalf of those with serious allergies, we respectfully ask that employees, artists & patrons refrain from wearing perfume, scented hairspray, cologne, scented deodorants, aftershave, or other scented products in the theatre building.

HOW TO ORDER TICKETS Visit: 423 Queen Street in Blyth Call: 1.877.862.5984 Email: info@blythfestival.com Online: blythfestival.com By Mail: Mail ticket request and cheque to Blyth Festival, PO Box 10, Blyth ON N0M 1H0

Regular Box Office Hours

Single Tickets Prices

Orchestra

Balcony

Regular shows Previews Youth (18 under) Phillips Studio Young Company Groups of 12 or more

$43 $20 $15 $29 Adult $15 Adult $37

$39 $20 $15 $15 Youth $8 Youth $37

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Summer Box Office Hours

May 21 to September 28 Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm Evening performance days until 9pm

Tickets Go On Sale To: Members - February 1, 2019 Groups - March 1, 2019 General Public - April 1, 2019

Groups: A Bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dozen! Buy 12, get the 13th ticket free! Special group rates on tickets and access to priority seating before the general public. Call the Box Office for complete details or visit our website for more information on the theatre, ticket prices, and policies.

Special Events: Ticket prices appear with event descriptions. Ticket Fees: Applicable taxes are included in all ticket prices. Each order is subject to an $8 handling charge.

Exchanges $4 per ticket. Exchanges are a free service to members. No exchange on day of performance. No Refunds.

CALL TODAY 1-877.862.5984

WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DEBIT, CHEQUE, CASH

PASSES

SEATING PLAN

PASSES ON SALE UNTIL APRIL 30 Purchase now and save. Passes are redeemable for any of our five mainstage productions until September 28, 2019, subject to seating availability.

4-ticket Orchestra Pass $150

To use how you like in the Orchestra level seating.Valid for any 2019 mainstage production.

5-ticket Orchestra Pass $190

To use how you like in the Orchestra level seating.Valid for any 2019 mainstage production.

4-ticket Balcony Pass $135

To use how you like in the Balcony level seating.Valid for any 2019 mainstage production.

5-ticket Balcony Pass $170

To use how you like in the Balcony level seating.Valid for any 2019 mainstage production.

Youth Pass $50 For the 18 and under theatre-lover. Four tickets total. Bonanza Pass $150 (August 9-11 - Four tickets total)

See four plays in three days, plus take part in the weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special events. A Blyth Festival tradition.

* Each order is subject to an $8 handling fee. Passes cannot be redeemed online. Passes are not redeemable for Phillips Studio,Young Company productions, or Special Events. Passes are valid only for the season for which they are purchased.

2020 PASSES ON SALE AS OF AUGUST 9, 2019

BLYTH MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HALL 431 Queen Street, Blyth

SPECIAL EVENTS

May 23 - May 25

True Confessions from the Ninth Concession Written by Dan Needles

Starring Dan Needles and Ian Bell

Winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, member of the Order of Canada, Dan Needles’ hilarious observations of rural life have become an indelible fixture of Canadian culture. Past hits like The Perils of Persephone (which premiered at Blyth in 1989), have now had dozens and dozens of productions across the country. His Wingfield series of plays has been performed in almost every single English speaking theatre in Canada. And now Dan himself will be performing his True Confessions from the Ninth Concession, May 23-25, as a fund-raiser for Blyth Festival’s New Play Development Program. True Confessions is a collaboration with singer-songwriter, and Canadian folk music icon Ian Bell. The duo of Needles and Bell bring to stage the amazing and hilarious tales of rural life accumulated by Dan since he and his wife left the city in 1988 to start a family on a 40-acre farm two hours north of Toronto. There, they raised sheep, cattle, chickens, pigs and, eventually, children. With Dan as orator and Ian as musician, they take us on a journey through life on Larkspur Farm and draw the audience into the wider human community of the Back Settlement.

The Blyth Festival presents a number of events annually to help raise funds for New Play Development. Building on the tradition of fun social evenings like last year’s Barn Bash, we’re hammering out the details for another autumn celebration of music, food and friends. Please watch our website for details.

Special Events Sponsor

DEEPER ROOTS SERIES Deeper Roots series is a curated series of talks, panel discussions, presentations, receptions and artist talkbacks, across the whole season, each of them tailored to complement some of the themes and ideas springing out of the shows themselves. There are even a few happening pre-season in the surrounding community. Altogether, in addition to the regular artist talkbacks across the season, Deeper Roots will allow at least 19 more chances to delve into the subjects and inspirations fueling the work onstage. What better way to celebrate our 45th Season? Among the line-up are discussions on Contemporary Circus Arts, cake decorating workshops, panels on Farm Succession and the erasure of the labour of women in farm histories, a group of current and graduating students from the University of Guelph Agricultural College will talk about their perspectives on the future of farming, we’re convening a panel of rural LGBTQ entrepreneurs to talk about their challenges in building businesses in small towns, and we’re pulling together artists who work in Palliative Care to talk about the Healing Power of Art. Most of them are free. Everyone is welcome. An Evening with Canadian author Lawrence Hill will highlight this series. The award-winning author of The Book of Negroes and The Illegal will speak from the theatre’s main stage about his passionate views on elder care and assisted dying in Canada, providing his perspective on the journey to death for his extraordinary mother, Donna Mae Hill. At 90 years old, after a remarkable life, much of it spent fighting for civil rights in Canada, Donna Mae Hill travelled to Switzerland for an assisted death because Canada’s laws prohibited it. Lawrence Hill and his niece were present at her end of life. Select books written by Lawrence Hill will be available for sale and signing. Lawrence Hill | Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 7 pm | Blyth Festival Main Stage | $10 Members, $15 Non-Member

Lawrence Hill Series Co-Sponsors

Media Sponsor

Partner

DEEPER ROOTS SERIES EVENT SCHEDULE Thursday, May 16 at 2 pm | Panel Discussion: The Making of Jumbo | Elgin County Museum, St. Thomas Wednesday, June 12 at 7 pm | Jumbo Exhibit | Lower Hall Saturday, June 15 at 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion: Contemporary Circus | Lower Hall Friday, June 28 at 7:30 pm | Cake Parade and Bake Off |Main Street & Lower Hall. Visit online for competition details Wednesday, July 3 at 7 pm | Jumbo Exhibit | Lower Hall Saturday, July 13 at 7 pm | Jumbo Exhibit | Lower Hall Thursday, July 18 at 7 pm| Panel Discussion: The Making of In the Wake of Wettlaufer | Huron County Museum, Goderich Tuesday, August 13 at 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion: When Do You Leave the Farm? | Lower Hall Thursday, August 15 at 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion: The Healing Power of Art | Lower Hall Wednesday, August 21 at 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion: Historical Erasure of the Female Farmer | Lower Hall Sunday, August 25 at Noon | Panel Discussion: The Future of Farming from Graduates’ Perspective | Lower Hall Wednesday, August 28 at 7 pm | An Evening With Lawrence Hill | Main Stage. Tickets: $10 Members; $15 Non-members Thursday, August 29 at Noon | Panel Discussion: What is a Good Death? | Lower Hall. Pre-ordered lunch available for purchase Saturday, September 14 at 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion: LGBTQ Community as Entrepreneurs Wednesday, September 18 at 4:30 pm | Live Interview with Playwright Mark Crawford and Performer Paul Dunn | Lower Hall We’ve got some great ideas like cupcake decorating and cake baking classes, but the fine details aren’t confirmed yet.Watch our website for further events.

HOLIDAY SHOW And...we are announcing an original 2019/2020 Holiday Show. Start a new family tradition with:

#bfCarol

November 28 to December 22

A HURON COUNTY CHRISTMAS CAROL D ’ , H C the

ickens classic modernized and set in uron Adapted by Gil Garratt Songs by John Powers

ounty

Together, E. Scrooge, and J.Marley were titans of industry. Their shrewd, ruthless approach to business helped them build a Feed and Fuel empire that has acquired all the mills in the community and across the province, amassing a staggering fortune. Now the sole man in charge, Scrooge, (a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner) is unwilling to go on making deals with tiny family farmers (like the Cratchits of Holmesville) let alone supporting all these little local Lions Clubs, and Optimists, and IODEs and these unending wretched charities always walking around with their hands out. Honestly, are there no workhouses? Scrooge’s miserly ways are challenged in the night by (you guessed it) three spirits. The first shows him his past (where he relives his boyhood in a lonely Goderich mansion, meets the love of his life at a CKNX Barndance, and jettisons it all in pursuit of filthy lucre). The second widens him to his present (where his faithful employee is scrambling to provide for his family, and Scrooge’s own organic farmer nephew is partying without him). And the last reveals his inevitable, impending encounter with the business end of Cemetery Line. A tale of avarice, greed, regret and redemption. But, but wait - you there, what day is it? With live original music by John Powers, a cast of actor/musicians, and a star turn at Scrooge, the play promises a down-home take on the holiday classic. Special holiday show tickets go on sale when the summer season starts. Get yours before the end of the Festival season and receive a deep discount. Come see the town when the twinkle lights are on.

BLYTH CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Blyth Festival Art Gallery The Blyth Festival Art Gallery celebrates its 44th year by continuing to present high quality art work to Huron County residents as well as to visiting theatregoers. The annual Student Show will feature amazing artwork from talented students in the Perth and Huron County secondary schools. All artists, professionals and hobbyists, are invited to submit their art for the annual Community Show, a non-juried (open) exhibition. The Gallery annually presents three exhibitions of professional level art. In the first, the extended family of Goderich artist Roman Turczyn presents a themed group showing in various media including paintings, digital photographs, metal, wood-working and jewellery. This will be followed by a fascinating exhibition in mixed media titled Memories Mark Our Journey by Huron County artist Debbie Schenk. There are messages in her work that evoke careful examination and interpretation by the viewer. Then, the viewing public will be treated to a show of ceramic pieces by Catherine Weir and paintings by Elizabeth McQueen. The pottery and paintings complement each other and have been created in close collaboration between the artists. The theme of Heaven and Earth is reflected in the presentation of abstract skyscapes and striking clay vessels. All Blyth Festival Art Gallery exhibitions are organized by an enthusiastic group of volunteers and are displayed at the Bainton Gallery in the recently renovated Blyth Memorial Hall. The Gallery is open the same hours as the Festival Theatre Box Office. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.

BLYTH CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Blyth Festival Singers Founded in 1980 the Blyth Festival Singers is a county-wide community choir under the professional direction of Sharon Poelstra. The choir, averaging between 40-50 members, performs primarily in Huron County and presents a variety of choral singing. The choir has something for everyone – from art songs from all eras, popular music, Canadian and world folk songs, to sacred and secular masterpieces. New members are always welcome. Join the Singers The Singers rehearse on Wednesday evenings in Blyth from September to May. If you are interested in joining, please speak to one of the choir members, or email blythfestivalsingers@gmail.com or call 519.482.9306. Support the Singers If you wish to make a donation to assist the choir in maintaining its high standard of musical excellence, please contact the Blyth Centre for the Arts.

Fauré Requiem

Sunday, April 7 | Goderich, Knox Presbyterian Church | 3pm Adults: $15 | Children 6-12: $6 With Juno award-winning organist Ian Sadler and guest soloists. In the French composer’s own words, the Fauré Requiem “is dominated from beginning to end by a very human feeling of faith in eternal rest.” Some of its memorable movements include: “Pie Jesu”, “Agnus Dei” and “In Paradisum.”

Annual Cabaret Dinner and Auction

Saturday, May 25 | Stanley Township Hall Our popular event featuring a full course dinner, silent auction and great entertainment makes for a fun evening out!

BLYTH CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Blyth Festival Orchestra The Blyth Festival Orchestra was formed in 1996. Its members are drawn from Huron and Perth counties. We play two or three concerts each year, as well as participating in Season Opening of the Blyth Festival. In addition, we provide musical accompaniment for Anglican churches at their annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. We have collaborated with thatotherchoir for a number of years. In 2017 we performed parts of Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St. John Passion; last year we collaborated again, performing a number of works by Jeff Smallman, a composer based in Huron County, including Into Mist, a piece commissioned jointly by the orchestra and the choir. We look forward to another joint concert this spring. We rehearse in Seaforth on Tuesday evenings, weather permitting. We welcome new members who enjoy playing instrumental music by composers - Canadian, foreign, alive or deceased - famous, and yet to be famous.

1.877.862.5984 BLYTHFESTIVAL.COM

LEGACY GIVING: THE GRANARY If attending the Blyth Festival has played a meaningful part in your life and you believe in the power and transformative nature of theatre, you may consider remembering the Blyth Festival in your Will. Philanthropy is a catalyst for positive change, but it can also be a powerful estate-planning tool. By leaving money to the Blyth Festival you are: • Choosing to align your personal values and interests with the financial goals of the Festival. • Bequeathing a portion of your estate to support a cause you care about even after you are gone. • Able to exclude those assets from your taxable estate, which reduces the amount your family may owe in estate taxes. • Making certain the Blyth Festival can continue its work in creating new productions, expanding our education projects and offering professional live theatre in a community that sits well outside major centres. Donors to The Granary will be invited to an annual event with the Artistic Director who will share behind the scenes insights into what it takes to plan the Festival each year. Registered charitable # 11881 2056 RR0001

“Every farmer knows that planning ahead this season is the key to an abundant harvest next season. The Blyth Festival’s Granary program allows us to do precisely that: plan for the success of our future. By pledging your legacy donation to the Granary, you ensure that future generations of artists and audience alike, will reap the bounty of Original Canadian Theatre.” Gil Garratt, Artistic Director, Blyth Festival

NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT Since 1975, the Blyth Festival’s mission has been “to give voice to the region and the country.” We have accomplished this by passionately pursuing the best in local stories, legendary stories, important, problematic, and inspiring stories. The work we do is of national importance, and we continue to be a beacon of best practice in play development coast to coast. We support new and experienced playwrights by offering not only financial support, but workshop space, staff, time and expertise to help get stories that should be told, onto our stages, and to stages across the country. We continue to tell the stories of this very place, to put this very region, and its very real lives on stage. To remain a dynamic force that contributes to the cultural fabric of this country we need your help. The Blyth Festival is a not-for-profit charity. We rely on the generosity of individuals, government funding bodies, and local and national corporations to bring you the best in new Canadian Theatre. To support this mandate, call us at 1.877.862.5984. We have a wide range of levels of support and benefits to match.