World Premiere of The Book of Esther Begins Previews at the Blyth Festival, 8/4

The world premiere of The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie opens at the Blyth Festival August 6. This epic story tackles issues of faith, farming and sexuality with a refreshingly frank approach.

Set in the early 1980s, stoic Seth Dalzell is struggling to hold onto his Century Farm in the rural community of Baker's Creek. His devoutly evangelical wife, Anthea, is struggling to keep her family intact. Todd is a middle-aged pillar of the gay community, living in Parkdale and providing shelter for homeless youth. And A.D. is a teenage hustler, happiest when he's raising Cain. What do they all have in common? Esther Dalzell. She is fifteen years old and she has just run away from home.

"This is a play about running away and the overwhelming urge to escape our problems, instead of dealing with them head on," says Artistic Director Eric Coates. "It tackles some big issues, but it does so in a very balanced way."

The Book of Esther is Brodie's second premiere at the Blyth Festival. Her critically acclaimed Schoolhouse premiered as a sold-out hit in 2006.

The cast of The Book of Esther includes Nathan Carroll, Eric Coates, Marion Day, and Brad Rudy. Carroll, Day and Rudy also appear together this season in Bordertown Café by Kelly Rebar. The Book of Esther is directed by Leah Cherniak.

Preview performances of The Book of Esther run August 4 - 5, prior to the official opening on August 6. The Book of Esther plays at the Blyth Festival in repertory until September 4.

The Book of Esther is sponsored by Ideal Supply Company Ltd. The Media Sponsor is 104.9 The Beach.

The Blyth Festival's 2010 season runs until September 4 and also features A Killing Snow by Paul Ciufo, Bordertown Café by Kelly Rebar and Pearl Gidley by Gary Kirkham.

For more information please visit www.blythfestival.com or call 1-877-862-5984.