Blyth Festival hands show off their baking skills for Pi Day get-together

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

The Blyth Festival celebrated “Pi Day” in style at Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 14. The event, which offered free slices of homemade pie alongside coffee, tea and juice, drew a bustling crowd of eager community members.

 

Attendees were treated to a mouthwatering array of pies meticulously prepared by Festival staff and supporters. From classic favourites like apple and pumpkin to more adventurous options like coconut cream and rhubarb, there was something to satisfy every palate. 

 

Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt shared insights into the origins of the event, revealing that the idea sprung from a shared love of pie among Festival staff. Noting the significance of March 14, celebrated as “Pi Day” due to its numerical representation of the mathematical constant π (3.14), Garratt emphasized the Festival’s commitment to fostering community connections through creative initiatives.

 

Colouring activities were available for children and a memory board inviting attendees to reminisce about past experiences with the Blyth Festival added to the festive atmosphere. The event, which served as a delightful precursor to the upcoming 50th anniversary season, set to begin staging in June, also featured brand new Festival brochures featuring original artwork by Autumn Ducharme. These promotional handouts provide insights into the exciting line-up of plays scheduled for the milestone season.

 

Among the anticipated productions are The Farm Show: Then & Now by Theatre Passe Muraille, enriched with new additions by the company, directed by Garratt; Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: The Famerettes by Alison Lawrence, inspired by the book by Bonnie Sitter and Shirleyan English, directed by Severn Thompson; Saving Graceland by Garratt, directed by James MacDonald; The Golden Anniversaries by Mark Crawford, directed by Miles Potter; Resort to Murder by Birgitte Solem, directed by Randy Hughson; and The Trials of Maggie Pollock by Beverley Cooper, directed by Ann-Marie Kerr.

 

In addition to tantalizing taste buds with delectable pies, Garratt highlighted the Festival’s intensive preparations for its golden anniversary season. From scouting for qualified stage managers across the country to welcoming crew members back to Blyth and finalizing scripts and contracts, the Festival team is hard at work ensuring another successful season of ambitious productions, says Garratt.

 

General Manager Rachael King, showcasing her culinary prowess by creating several pies for the event, reflected on the dynamic nature of preparing for each Festival season. With each year presenting its own unique set of challenges, ranging from logistics to staffing, King emphasized the Festival team’s unwavering commitment to finding innovative solutions to overcome obstacles and ensure the smooth execution of each production.

 

The “Pi Day” event proved to be a resounding success, with attendees flocking to indulge in sweet treats while enthusiastically anticipating the Festival’s milestone celebration. If this serves as any kind of indication, the Blyth Festival’s 50th anniversary season is poised to be a sweet celebration of rural theatre, marking five decades of artistic excellence and community engagement.