Blyth Festival
The Blyth Festival, located in Blyth, Ontario, Canada, specializes in the production and promotion of Canadian plays.
History
The organization was started by James Roy, playwright Anne Chislett and local newspaper editor Keith Roulston in 1975. Its primary mandate is to produce and develop local Canadian plays.[1]
In 1975, few scripts that fit the festival's mandate were being written so we jumped into the creation of new work. At that time, the festival was the only summer theatre producing original Canadian plays, and one of the very few, if not the only "500-seat" theatre in Canada producing Canadian plays exclusively.
Today, located in a village of 1000 in rural Huron County, the Blyth Centre for the Arts is a year-round centre of cultural activity for southwestern Ontario. In addition to the Blyth Festival, the Centre includes an Art Gallery that showcases three professional exhibits, one non-juried community show and co-ordinates a student exhibit each season. Choristers participate in the professionally led Blyth Festival singers and musicians from three counties form the Blyth Festival Orchestra. The theatre brings many outstanding Canadian artists to its stage throughout the off-season.
In addition, the festival acts as a resource for local groups and makes its outstanding facilities available for community use. The festival plays a major role in the business life of the village and the tourism industry in Huron County.
Artistic directors
- Janet Amos (1979–1984)
- Katherine Kaszas (1984–1991)
- Peter Smith (1991–1994)
- Janet Amos (1994–1997)
- Anne Chislett (1997–2003)
- Eric Coates (2003–present)
Season summary
A list of past productions can be found at Blyth Festival production history
2008
- Against the Grain by Carolyn Hay
- Harvest by Ken Cameron
- Courting Johanna by Marcia Johnson, based on Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro
- Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper
2009
- The Bootblack Orator by Ted Johns
- The Mail Order Bride by Robert Clinton
- Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad by Michael Melski
- The Nuttalls by Michael Healey
- Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper
2010
- A Killing Snow by Paul Ciufo
- Bordertown Café by Kelly Rebar
- Pearl Gidley by Gary Kirkham
- The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie
2011
- Hometown by Jean-Marc Dalpé, Mieko Ouchi, Mansel Robinson, Martha Ross, Peter Smith and Des Walsh, with music by David Archibald
- Vimy by Vern Thiessen
- Rope's End by Douglas Bowie
- Early August by Kate Lynch