When one thinks of organizations operating for 90 years, entities such as banks or insurance companies might spring to mind.
The Victoria Theatre Guild and Dramatic School, operating out of historic Langham Court Theatre, is among that elite group. The volunteer-based company, billed as the longest-running community theatre in Western Canada, recently announced the schedule for its 90th season.
B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 think of a better way to spend your theatre season than coming to Langham Court to enjoy some fantastic community theatre,B次元官网网址� said general manager Michelle Buck.
The anniversary prompts her to consider people who come back year after year, either as part of the productions on or off stage, as board members or as a dedicated audience member.
B次元官网网址淲hat I find amazing is how you can see people having been threaded throughout the theatre for 50, 60, 70 years, and that theyB次元官网网址檙e still here, all the way from life members to volunteers that come, actors that come back and do other things,B次元官网网址� she says.
The season kicks off Sept. 26 with the Noel Coward comedy Blithe Spirit, directed by longtime Langham Court member Toshik Bukowiecki.
Others in the season include the wartime drama Goodnight Mister Tom (directed by Shauna Baird), followed by always-fun musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Pat Rundell); the Janet Munsil-penned romantic comedy That Elusive Spark (Mercedes B谩tiz-Ben茅t); Quartet, a comedy about four aging opera singers (Jon Scheer), and finally next June, the hilarious play-within-a-play, Noises Off (Don Keith).
Rundell joins Alan Penty as planning production co-chair for the next two seasons. Not only does Rundell see the upcoming offerings as a great showcase of the skills and passions of the volunteer actors and crew, he says some surprises may be in store for audience members when his show runs Jan. 16 to Feb. 2.
B次元官网网址淚 suggest audience members start studying their dictionaries now, youB次元官网网址檒l never know if they get called up to be part of the bee,B次元官网网址� he says.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the tireless work of Langham Court archivist Marilyn Kuss is prominently displayed around the theatreB次元官网网址檚 lounge. Photo and information boards offer a glimpse through the decades, from the shows staged, to the people involved to the history of its venues back to 1929.
She outlined a crisis the company endured one spring in the 1960s, when the fire marshal came and ordered the aging theatre closed at the end of the season, demanding that safety upgrades be made.
B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford the changes so we offered the theatre for sale, for $25,000 B次元官网网址� no takers, too much,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 find anywhere better than this, so we stayed here, did the renos and opened on Oct. 31.B次元官网网址�
A 1930s-themed 90th anniversary formal gala is planned for Sunday, Sept. 2 at Craigdarroch Castle. Tickets, on sale at the theatre box office (250-384-2142) until Aug. 15, are $35 and include a glass of bubbly, hors dB次元官网网址檕uevres and live music.
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