Blyth spirit

Marion De Vries at Books & Company during a read through of her play Ship of Fire in 2009.

Marion De Vries heads Blyth Festival in its 40th season

It has been a busy summer for Marion De Vries. The County native is in the midst of her first season as artistic director for the Blyth Festival—the 40th anniversary of the rural theatre with a national profile.

She is also directing one of the six productions on the Blyth stage. And her own musical play, Kitchen Radio, has just premiered there and is playing to strong audiences. It has been a whirlwind ride.

RURAL GROUNDING
Marion De Vries was born in Picton and raised on a farm near Consecon Lake.

She feels at home in Blyth and the surrounding rural community. She says it possesses a strong sense of identity and responsibility—values that are familiar to her.

Already well known for its rural theatre, the Huron County is increasingly attracting attention as the home of novelist and short story writer Alice Munro.

“This is Alice’s favourite theatre,” explains De Vries. “She used to volunteer here, helped with fundraising and baking pies. She lives down the road in Clinton. Her grandparents lived in Blyth.”

De Vries tells the story of how Alice Munro was bussing tables at one fundraising event and a woman approached her.

“I hear the world famous author Alice Munro is here today,” inquired the woman, meekly. “Could you point her out to me?”

Munro pointed to a well-dressed friend across the room and quietly went back to work.

“She is wonderful person and friend of this festival,” said De Vries.

JOURNEY TO BLYTH
The Festival theatre was built as a “living cenotaph” to honour the sacrifice of those who fell during WWI. It seats 440 people.

“Blyth is a village of 900,” explains De Vries, “smaller than Wellington. Yet they have a theatre larger than many in Toronto.”

She has been working on and off at the Blyth Festival for more than 20 years.

One of her first jobs after graduating with honours from York’s theatre school was as assistant director in an adaptation of Margaret Laurence’s Stone Angel. In 1998 she directed WilburCounty Blues. The following year she became playwright in residence. Last year, then-artistic director Eric Coates commissioned Kitchen Radio to be produced and premiered at the Blyth Festival.

When Coates departed for Ottawa last year De Vries was appointed to take the reins at Blyth.

This is her first season. It’s also the 40th anniversary of the Festival.

“For 40 years we have been producing new Canadian plays, largely with rural themes,” explains De Vries.

But it might have been otherwise. In 1975, the first Festival featured two plays: Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap, a tried and true classic, as well as an adaptation of Harry J. Boyle’s Mostly in Clover—about growing up on a farm in Huron County.

“They were surprised when Mostly in Clover sold out most nights while Mousetrap was kindly ignored,” said De Vries. “People wanted to see their own stories. Farmers and farm families have always been our core audience.”

Presiding over the premiere of Kitchen Radio has been another thrill.

Inspired by the story of the mother of costume designer Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston, Kitchen Radio tells the story of a woman who is compelled to move frequently due the demands of her husband’s job.

Unable to put down roots she is drawn to the lives of the country and western stars she hears on her kitchen radio.

“I love my role here at Blyth and I love the work that I am doing here. And audiences seem to love Kitchen Radio, it has cemented our relationship,” said De Vries.

De Vries no longer has a place in the County, but travels back regularly. Her heart and her influences remain here.

“Certainly my experience with Festival Players of Prince Edward County and running the Regent Theatre briefly has helped me in this role.”

Several Festival Players productions draw their origins to Blyth, including this season’s Radio :30. (Radio :30 starring Chris Earle runs at Mount Tabor until Saturday).

Will Kitchen Radio find its way onto a County stage?

“Kitchen Radio in the County? I would love that.” said De Vries