Blyth Festival AGM Highlights Artistic Achievements in 2010

The Blyth Festival hosted its Annual General Meeting earlier this month to officially wrap up one of its most artistically successful seasons in recent memory, if not in the Festival's history. The meeting was held in the Bainton Gallery at Blyth Memorial Hall on Thursday, December 9. Blyth Festival members and staff, and representatives from the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, Orchestra and Singers were in attendance.

"The 2010 season in Blyth will long be celebrated for its artistic achievements, ranging from an inspiring repertoire of new plays to a slightly eccentric, yet powerful, schedule of special events," said Artistic Director Eric Coates. Coates went on to say that all of the productions were well received by Blyth Festival patrons and critics alike.

Each of the three world premieres produced during the 2010 season have received significant attention from the theatre community. A Killing Snow by Paul Ciufo will be published by Scirocco Publishing in 2011; The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie will be produced by the Prince Edward County Players in 2011; and Pearl Gidley by Gary Kirkham continues to garner interest from other producing theatres.

Despite high praise in local and national press box office revenue fell short of projections and the Blyth Festival will post a $31,081 deficit in 2010. Ron Burt, representative for Takalo & Burt Chartered Accountants, presented the Auditor's Report of the financial statements. Burt assured those present that the Blyth Festival is not in any immediate financial danger. He noted that the financial management at the Festival is the best that it has ever been.

"We are striving to be proactive in the face of economic downturn," said General Manager Deb Sholdice. "People paying close attention to our [2011] season announcement and brochure will notice small but hopefully innovative changes." Sholdice noted the 2011 season has been shortened slightly-a business decision to help keep production costs and artistic expenses manageable.

At the same time, the Blyth Festival will introduce a new initiative in the Philips Studio at the end of the season. The Studio Series will bring in two works from 2010 Summer Works-an independent theatre festival held annually in Toronto. And, for the first time in Blyth Festival history, the Young Company will be promoted to the main stage with a revival of last season's Alligator Tears by Britta Johnson.

"The staff is excited, our sponsors are excited, the board is excited and hopefully the audience will be even more excited!" Sholdice said.

The 2011 season runs June 21 - August 27, with the Studio Series running until September 3.

For more information on the Blyth Festival 2011 season, visit www.blythfestival.com or call 1-877-862-5984.

The Blyth Festival's 2011 season is sponsored by Sparling's Propane Company Limited and CTV.

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