LIVE. ORIGINAL. CANADIAN. THEATRE.
BLYTH CENTRE FOR THE ARTS - PO BOX 10, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0
June 12 to September 28, 2019
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 General’s Awards, Chalmers Awards, been Finalists for the Premier’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 Rouslton, 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
Cover image by Kelly Stevenson
2019 SEASON June 12 to August 10 | World Premiere
JUMBO by Sean Dixon
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. June26 to August 10
CAKEWALK by Colleen Curran
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. In this delicious comedy, mild-mannered, dependable characters resort to cut-throat tactics. The oven mitts are off. July 31 to September 5
TEAM ON THE HILL
by Dan Needles This story that centres around the Ransier Farm is rife with the playwright’s trademark wit and unparalleled observation of farm life. It is 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. August 7 to September 6 | World Premiere
IN THE WAKE OF WETTLAUFER conceived by Kelly McIntosh, written by Kelly McIntosh with Gil Garratt & Others Images by Kelly Stevenson
The care home where siblings have placed their father turns out to be the same as one where Elizabeth Wettlaufer committed multiple murders. A hard-hitting, but life-affirming story of compassion, family, and hope for change. September 11 to September 28
BED & BREAKFAST
by Mark Crawford Drew & Brett pursue the fantasy of moving to the country and opening a B&B, in this 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.
1.877.862.5984 BLYTHFESTIVAL.COM
GROUP PRICES 37 all seating| $20 preview|$15 youth
$
ANY GROUP OF 12 OR MORE WILL DO! As a group, you’re entitled to special rates on tickets and access to priority seating prior to the general public. Group orders open March 1, so be sure to book early! Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll recieve one complimentary ticket for each group of 12 paid tickets. The Blyth experience is unlike any other. Let us point out a local attraction, a shopping or fine dining destination, a charming country tour, or arrange a country supper ($22/person), a home-cooked meal served country-style. A 15% deposit is due upon receipt of the invoice (forwarded March 1 or within two days of the order date thereafter). Group orders must be paid in full four weeks prior to the performance date. Orders not paid by these deadlines will be released. A $10 handling fee will be applied to all orders. Be sure to include your motorcoach driver, if applicable, when ordering tickets as many performances do sell out. Wheelchair seating and assisted listening devices are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please mention any special requests when placing your order.
CALL TODAY 877.862.5984 Lisa Harper, Audience Services Manager Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm Email: info@blythfestival.com Mail: 423 Queen Street, PO Box 10, Blyth ON N0M 1H0
SEATING PLAN BLYTH MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HALL 431 Queen Street, Blyth
ON STAGE IN 2019
SUN
Blyth Memorial Community Hall 431 Queen Street
JUNE
MAINSTAGE Jumbo Jumbo Cake Cakewalk
Wettlaufer In the Wake of Wettlaufer
JULY
Team The Team on the Hill
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
B&B Bed & Breakfast
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
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 20 | 5:45pm | $75 Celebrate the season in style at our Gala Opening Night Dinner in the Lower Hall.
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
AUGUST
SUN
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. Talk Back Join cast members after the 2pm performance for an informal talk in the Lower Hall.
GOOD SCENTS POLICY
SEPTEMBER
CKNX Night - June 12 | $9.20 Join our friends at CKNX Radio for a performance preview! Proceeds to benefit the Actors’ Fund of Canada.
Blyth Festival is a proud and active member of:
Blyth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of: an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’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.