Blyth Festival Explores the World of Fringe with the Phillips Studio Series

The Blyth Festival explores the world of fringe theatre with two works that garnered rave reviews at last year's SummerWorks. The Hanging of Francoise Laurent, a drama written by Kate Cayley, opens August 23 and runs until August 27 and Miss Caledonia, a light-hearted comedy written by Melody A. Johnson, opens September 1 and runs until September 3. Both Productions play in the intimate Phillips Studio - the Blyth Festival black-box space - located at 209 Dinsley Street in Blyth.

The Hanging of Francoise Laurent, A Stranger Theatre Company production is set in Montreal in 1751. Francoise Laurent is sentenced to death for stealing a pair of gloves. According to the law, a woman could escape death if she could persuade the hangman to marry her. But at this time, there is no hangman. In prison, Francoise hears the voice of a young solider from the next cell. She speaks. He answers. We all meet our fate...yes?
Miss Caledonia, A Melody A Johnson production, is set in Caledonia, Ontario in 1953. The main character Peggy Ann Douglas is desperate to escape the drudgery of life on RR#2 and she has a plan. Following in the footsteps of starlets like Debbie Reynolds, Peggy Ann will simply become a movie star. And she will start her journey to the top by winning the local pageant. Can she sing, twirl and pivot her way into the judges' hearts, or will shaky nerves and a "Puritanical Work Ethic" sabotage her efforts?

This is theatre that is up-close and personal - full of surprises, both dark and light. Here is your invitation to expand your horizons and explore the fringe.

The Philips Studio Series seating is general admission. Single tickets Adults $20 and Youth $15. For more information please visit www.blythfestival.com or call 1-877-862-5984.

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