ARCHIVE OF PRESS RELEASES

Blyth Festival mounts revival of Innocence Lost: A play about Steven Truscott

Friday, September 4 2009

Photo 2008 production – Marion Day & Tatum Bedard. Photo by Terry Manzo

For immediate release
September 4, 2009
Contact: Karen Stewart, Dir. Of Mktg. & Dev.
519-523-9300, ext 209

Blyth Festival mounts revival of Innocence Lost: A play about Steven Truscott
“Even though we know the story, it is still powerful theatre”

“It’s a strange feeling watching a play about Steven Truscott at the Blyth Festival surrounded by people who lived the story,” writes Paula Citron, reviewer for Classical 96.3FM. “Even though we know the story, it is still powerful theatre.”

Innocence Lost: a play about Steven Truscott is back at the Blyth Festival September 8 – 19, 2009 after a sold out run in 2008. Playwright Beverley Cooper presents multiple sides of the story: In September 1959 in a Canadian courtroom, 14-year-old Steven Truscott was convicted for the rape and murder of his classmate, 12-year-old Lynne Harper. Sentenced to hang, Truscott became the youngest person to sit on Canada's death row. His death sentence was eventually commuted to life in prison. Throughout the years, Truscott has maintained his innocence and was finally acquitted in 2007.

Last season’s production stirred public interest not only about what happened to Steven Truscott, but to the community itself. And, as playwright Beverley Cooper points out, how the system failed the family of Lynn Harper.

Miles Potter returns to direct a cast of ten performers. The central fictional character is Sarah, played by Marion Day (Mail Order Bride, 2009), a young farm girl and classmate of Truscott. Through her we see the shifting opinions that swirled around the case for five decades. Returning cast members include Curtis teBrinke as 14-year old Steven Truscott, Tatum Bedard as Lynn Harper, and Patricia Vanstone as Sarah’s mother. Joining the cast in 2009 is Michelle Fisk (Reverend Jonah, 2007), who plays Isabel LeBourdais, the Canadian journalist and author who worked tirelessly to spread word of the injustices of the case, Ryan Bondy playing the older Truscott and various boys, Deborah Drakeford (The Tomorrow Box, 1995) playing Doris Truscott, John Jarvis (Barnboozled – He Won’t Come In From the Barn, 2003) playing Sarah’s father, Brad Rudy (Mail Order Bride, 2009) plays Dr. Penistan and Harold Graham; and Tova Smith (Against the Grain, Courting Johanna, 2008) plays various girls.

The Design Team returns for the 2009 production, including Steve Lucas (Set, Lighting), Jennifer Triemstra (Costumes), Todd Charlton (Sound) and Veronica Good (Assistant Sound). Joanna Barrotta is the Stage Manager and Dini Conte is Assistant Stage Manager.

“… Innocence Lost does have a powerful sense of purpose and relevance.” Globe and Mail

If you missed Innocence Lost last year, don’t miss it a second time. Tickets ($25 - $28) are available by calling 519-523-9300, toll free 1-877-862-5984 or online at www.blythfestival.com

Blyth Festival’s 2009 Season Supporters are Sparling’s Propane Co. Ltd., CTV, The Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

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INNOCENCE LOST: A PLAY ABOUT STEVEN TRUSCOTT
By Beverley Cooper
Directed by Miles Potter

Starring: Tatum Bedard, Ryan Bondy, Marion Day, Deborah Drakeford, Michelle Fisk, John Jarvis, Brad Rudy, Tova Smith, Curtis tebrinke, Patricia Vanstone

Set & Lighting Designer: Steve Lucas
Costume Designer: Jennifer Triemstra
Resident Sound Designer: Todd Charlton
Assistant Sound Designer: Veronica Good

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ARCHIVE OF PRESS RELEASES

Blyth Festival mounts revival of Innocence Lost: A play about Steven Truscott

Friday, September 4 2009