2010 Cobblestone Festival
August 4 - 15 2010 Paris, ON
2010 marks the 11th year of the Cobblestone Festival. This year's festival will take place August 4 - 15. This year the festival line up will include six original works as part of THE EDGE - a series of one act plays. This years plays include:
Durang Durang directed by Layna Lowe. The show will consist of five vignettes and is described as a tragicomedy. 16+
Curtain Call (musical) written by Rachel Wyatt & directed by Keith Chambers, music by Erik Kopacsi, additional lyrics by Emma Hazelwood. This musical provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a production of William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ during ‘hell week.’ 13+
What You Didn't Know About Your Dinner (educational children's comedy) directed by Ellen Brooker. An annual meeting of food groups, wherein a representative from each group discuss how the year has gone, which foods are being eaten and how to promote a balanced and healthy diet.
The Great Wacky Far Out Adventure Show (children's adventure) written by Alfred Ruston. The story concerns a paper boy / girl and friends who get caught up in intergalactic rescue adventure. Their journey takes the audience along to the Land of Ho Hum, the Planet of Jelly, the Planet of Clowns and the Planet of Gloom.
Improv at the Edge with the Freudian Slips (comedy) by Ichthys Theatre Group. This performance will be entirely improvised, with the audience helping to create the characters and situations. It will run for approximately 90 minutes. 14+
Rising Stars (musical) written by Ariel Bean and Dahlia Gibson. Ms. Landing, the new owner of Grace Landing's School of Performing Arts has decided to close down the school and open a restaurant. The students get together to foil the owners plans.
Storytelling, I believe, must have begun thousands of years ago, as Man gathered closely around a campfire and listened to someone who regaled them with tales of thrilling hunts, glorious battles, or the comedic misadventures of the little ones in their village. Someone must have thought, "I should write these stories down, so they may be shared with future generations, and they can feel as I do when I hear them; happy, sad, frightened, educated, loved." Thus was theatre born. Many millennia later, theatre has evolved to the point where, in the case of The Cobblestone Festival, close to two hundred people have worked thousands of hours to entertain you. These people have written original works, directed, produced, designed and constructed costumes and sets, run lights and sound equipment, stage-managed, wrangled kids, rehearsed, and driven carloads of children back and forth. They gladly volunteered their time because they LOVE what they do. As they perform for you today, with what seems an effortless ease, please reflect on how much dedication, energy, and creativity went into this production. But mostly, how much fun they are having. So, gather closely around our fire, and listen to our storytellers.
James Binkley & Rick Toews
Artistic Coordinators
Cobblestone FestivalAs always, the festival aims to promote the Cobblestone Legacy that exists here in Paris, Ontario. With 14 buildings (12 homes, 2 churches), Paris can proudly call itself the Cobblestone Capital of Canada.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2010 Cobblestone festival, August 4 - 15, 2010!