In recent years, February was the time of year when the talk of the town was all about “the play”. At the beginning of the month, the cast would be deep into the final phase of production, memorizing, positioning on the stage, costume and makeup, lighting and sound, props, with nervous jitters kicking in. In the food department, shopping lists were checked and double checked, worksheets of volunteers were filled, décor was taking shape. The ticket masters were making room “for one more” at tables and filling seats from last minute cancellations.
On the street, there was chatter….”What night are you going to the play? What shift are you working?” Did anyone ever do a head count of how many people were involved each day of production? It seemed each family in the district was involved in some way.
Suddenly, opening day was here. The roasts were in the oven and the morning shift had vegetables washed, peeled, cut. The tables upstairs were perfectly set, ready for guests. Afternoon was for cooking, putting salads together, making gravy and stocking the bar. Hostesses, servers and meat carvers appeared. The meal was always as big an attraction as the play! The cleanup crew whisked away the dishes quickly after a special dessert was served.
Then, lights, action, “showtime”! Who knew there was such talent? Young, old and in between….all with performances that made one wonder, “I didn’t know he/she could/would do that!” Suddenly you saw another side of a person, whom you thought you already knew.
When the three days of dinner theatre presentations, and one Sunday matinee luncheon and performance were over, there would be a huge sigh of relief but also accolades of appreciation for a job well done! The cast were exhausted, pleased that they had “pulled it off” and yet kind of let down that it was over. The street talk would then be exclamations of amazing performances and “ Wasn’t that a great meal!? Didn’t need a knife to cut that roast beef! Did you try the onion salad?!”
“The Salamander’s Tale” was the play planned for 2020, the 14th year and 15th production of the local drama club. Due to COVID-19, we still have this tale to look forward to! The Laketown Players cast and crew are waiting for clearance as “the show must go on!”. Of course, at this time, this is wishful thinking. After our “lockdowned” lifestyle, it will take a special effort for the community to bounce back into action but we will also be excited when that time comes!
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s there is mention of a drama club which, through entertainment, helped raise funds to build and maintain an Agricultural Hall for the Agricultural Society (started in 1888). (Remember…Saltcoats didn’t become a village until 1894, then a town in 1910). In 1911 the beautiful Opera House was built and the Ag. Society started using the new hall for their activities. 1926 saw the start of the annual St Patrick’s Day Frolic sponsored by the Ag Society. With the exception of two years, one of which was 1954 when the present hall was being built, the frolic continued annually for almost 50 years.
It appears the frolic included a play, along with local musical artists in the program, followed by a dance. It was very much anticipated, drawing town and country together. Road conditions were often poor at this time of year but that didn’t stop over 400 from attending, many dancing until the wee hours of the morning!
On February 8, 9 &10, 2007, the Laketown Theatre Company presented “The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon” written by W O Mitchell, Canadian author and playwright. This dinner theatre production was sponsored by The Saltcoats Hall Renovation Committee and co-sponsor, Saltcoats Curling Club, as part of the curling club’s 100th consecutive bonspiel celebration. This event was a huge success and revived interest, similar to the St Patrick’s Day Frolic, years before!
The lead role of Wullie was played by Stephen Farquharson, with Gloria Rathgeber and Walter Farquharson as directors and Frank Newcombe as sound engineer. Other cast members of this special premiere performance included Joan Wilson, Susan Onda-Inglis, Lana Sumner, Grant Bjornerud, Shelly Westberg, Dennis Hunt, Kirk Flaman, Dean Westberg, Manny Silviera, Gordon Barnhart, and Rob Wilson. Lighting was by Cameron Morgan, Donna Bradford and Alicia Harmon-Daigneault. Makeup by Lana Parsons, Jenna Jarvis and Krista Porter. Stage crew Orville Herron, Mason Bradford, Grant McCallum, and Jenna Hunt. Costumes Effie Bowen-Silveira, prompters Donna Bradford and Norene Hume. Piper Robyn Torrie. Others behind the scenes were Sylvia and Alex Riddy, Les Pearson, Ashley Morphy, Shirley Huziak, and Avery Westberg.
Coordinating dinners were Lorna McCredie, Joan Wilson, Phyllis McCallum, Joan Farquharson and Marie Vermette. Phyllis and Jim McCallum were ticket masters and assigned seating.
Others helped with promoting the plays, décor, donating vegetables, (the town staff for) allowing use of the hall, printing programs, bookkeeping, and more…..
W O Mitchell did not charge any royalties when he heard the profits were helping out a small town community project!
This successful event led to future productions, with some new cast members, some new volunteers, lots of helping hands:
2008—–The Kite
2009…Over the River and Through the Woods
2010….Peanuts and Cracker Jacks ( by S Farquharson)
2011….The Beverly Hillbillies
2012….Opening Night
2013…A Little Piece of Heaven
2014….The Scrap Heap Kids and the Alley Cat (by S Farquharson)
2015—The Pink Panther Strikes Again
plus in April/May, a repeat from 2010, “Peanuts and Cracker Jacks” (The Double Play) a special fundraiser
2016…The Mouse That Roared
2017…Going Gently (by S Farquharson)
2018…The Blizzards (by S Farquharson)
2019…Black Fly Rapids (by S Farquharson)
There are such great memories of these busy days. They were fun times when we all worked together, appreciating and learning from each other’s talents and strengths. Nothing was expected in return, all volunteered to make our community a better place. Over the years, various community organizations and projects were recipients of Dinner Theatre proceeds.
By: Helen Jarvis