As part of Culture Days on September, 24, 25 and 26, and in conjunction with the Township of Scugog’s exhibition of Les Parkes’ set design illustrations at the Municipal Offices, the Scugog Council for the Arts is presenting mid-day playreadings of Les Parkes stage play, Birdseye Center, at the Scugog Arts Resource Centre. The playreadings will be led by local theatre performers, including members of the original production cast from 1984. The readings will be quite informal and audience participation is welcome.
The name Birdseye Center is most notably connected with the famed portrayal of a rural community by Scugog’s legendary cartoonist, Jimmy Frise. In 1984, Les Parkes, along with Zoe Allan, wrote an original musical which brought the characters and locale of Birdseye Center to life. The production was presented by the Borelians Community Theatre and went on to win Best Canadian Musical at the 1985 ACT-CO theatre awards.
The playreadings will take place from 12 and 2 pm each day at the Scugog Arts Resource Centre at 181 Perry St., Unit G-1. The SARC is located beside the Township of Scugog Municipal Offices where an exhibition of Les Parkes set designs will be on display throughout the weekend, also as part of Culture Days. Les Parkes was a well known area artist who also was an active member and supporter of Scugog’s theatre community and was involved with the set design of many local productions. His original set illustrations, on loan from private and Town Hall 1873 collections, will be on exhibit in the Municipal Offices lobby until the end of March 2011.
Other SCA Culture Days events include Abstract Expressions by Louise Whale in the SARC Gallery and the Boardwalk Art Fair on Sunday, September 26. Admission is free for all events. For more information on the SCA, Culture Days and all events, visit www.scugogarts.ca or contact the SCA at 905 982-2121.