Gros Morne Summer Music creates Sherlock Holmes “radio” drama

by Keith and Heather Nicol

       Gros Morne Summer Music has just started its summer season and has a full schedule of performances that will run until August 26, 2012. On Mondays (and Saturdays in Woody Point) you can catch the show “Sherlock Holmes and the German of Bonne Bay” which is styled after radio drama which was popular in the 1930’s and 40’s.  On stage you see an announcer, a sound effects specialist and 2 musicians which provide the superb background music and even advertisements for such things as kidney pills! The story brings Sherlock Holmes to Woody Point in W.W. II to uncover how to reduce the damage being done to convoys of ships heading to Europe from Canada by German submarines. The clever script and lyrics by David Maggs, varied voices by the narrator Bernard Kane, sound effects created by Ryan Butt and the live music by Louis McDonald and Diederick van Dijk make for a night of engaging theatre and music you won’t find anywhere else in the province. We enjoyed watching Ryan Butt swoosh his hand in an aquarium to simulate waves washing on the shore (and it was realistic) while Bernard Kane did the voices of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Harper Stephens and the other characters. This show runs Mondays at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre until August 20 and Saturdays in Woody Point until August 18 and you can get more information at: www.gmsm.ca.

Diederick van Dijk (left) and Ryan Butt performing in "Sherlock Holmes"

 Corner Brook has lots of places to explore on foot and its community trail system is the envy of many communities.  Over the past number of years, the Corner Brook Stream Trail system has been expanded to encompass many kilometers of trail stretching throughout the city. Some of the most popular are along Corner Brook stream and the Glynmill Inn Pond acts as a focal point for this trail. There are benches overlooking the pond and you can often see ducks and swans in the water. We also really like the Three Bear Mountain trail which gives good views of the city and Humber Arm. There is also an interpretative photo plaque at the end of the trail. Another extension of the trail system highlights the Corner Brook Stream gorge and a large waterfall. Who would guess Corner Brook has a major waterfall virtually within city limits? This trail is rougher beyond the gorge lookout platform but is still easy to follow and there are several hiking options in this area so have a look at the trail map before you start.  For more information on the trail system check out: http://www.cbstream.com/

The Corner Brook Stream trail system is popular for walkers of all ages