Village Squire, 1980-11, Page 23Grey Wellington
Theatre Guild
BY ELAINE TO WNSHEND
Enthusiasm is high as the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild sets
out on its seventh enthusiastic season, its second in the
Harriston Town Hall Theatre.
Patrick Smith, artistic director. founded the Guild in Mount
Forest in 1974. His experience in theatre goes back to age six
Patrick Smith, artistic director of the Grey -Wellington
Theatre Guild, founded the group in Mount Forest in 1974.
Since then, he's discovered working in amateur theatre can
produce a jack-of-a!l trades who does everything from acting
to directing to building sets. [Photo by Townshend]
when he travelled throughout England with his mother singing
for troops. Before moving to Harriston he was resident director
for a Bramalea theatre for nine years. He has directed 39 major
productions and appeared in many more.
He founded the Guild to give local residents a chance to
participate in theatre and gain experience in studying, reading
and acting in plays.
The group began with five members, and their first production
was An Evening With Mark Twain. Now 46 members convene
from Harriston, Mount Forest, Palmerston, Listowel, Blyth,
Hanover and Moorefield.
One of the exciting things about the Guild, says Mr. Smith, is
that it brings together people from all walks of life - a typist,
carpenter, pharmacist, teacher, OPP officer, and plant manager.
Ages of members range from 13 to 70 years old.
Most of the people involved had little or no theatrical
experience when they began. Workshop programs through the
years have given training in directing, set design and
construction, make up and other aspects of theatre. One -act
plays give new artists experience. Now the group blends people
who have received Guild training with inexperienced new-
comers.
The Guild hopes to form a youth theatre, which would provide
an excellent training ground for young people who might decide
to pursue a career in the theatre.
In the group's early years, plays were presented in Mount
Forest High School. Constructing sets and holding rehearsals
were difficult. Last year the Guild signed a ten-year lease on the
old theatre on the second floor of Harriston Town Hall.
HISTORIC CURTAIN
Years ago, almost every town had a theatre. The old Harriston
Theatre was used by travelling entertainers, who hauled their
props upstairs on a platform elevator. A canvas curtain, on which
a Harriston street scene was handpainted, hung on stage and has
been preserved by the Guild.
Films were also shown in the theatre until a movie house
opened in town. In recent years, the structure was used once a
month by the provincial court and occasionally for meetings of
community groups.
The theatre seats more than 300; the stage is large enough for
a double set and there's a dressing room and washrooms
backstage. The Guild spent $12,000 painting the interior,
hanging new curtains and installing modern lights and a sound
and lighting booth. Members anticipate spending another
S20,000 to S25,000 in the next five years.
The group has never taken government or any other kind of
grants. Revenue comes from sale of advertising and the
audience.
"If a group is good enough," insists the artistic director,
"people will support you. Our theory is that if you charge
someone a nickel or dime to come in and watch a play, then you
must give them the best that you possibly can."
GALA OPENING
The theory has been successful. Audiences average 1,000 to
1,100 for a five -night stand. When the grand gala opening of the
Town Hall Theatre, featuring acress Dinah Christie, who lives
near Hanover, was held last November, the building was packed.
Another feature of the opening was a nostalgic look at the
plays the Guild had presented over the years. The most
ambitious was Lion In Winter, staged three years ago, and the
first period piece the Guild tackled. The most popular play with
audiences was No Sex Please, We're British, presented two
years ago. According to Mr. Smith, one of the best productions
was Same Time Next year, the final performance of the 79/80
season.
SEASON'S FARE
He is equally excited about this season's theatre fare.
Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie, will run from November 11 to
November 15. Sleuth, by Anthony Schaeffer, is tentatively
scheduled for five nights in March. The third presentation: The
Odd Couple, by Neil Simon, will run in May.
The first workshop of the 80/81 season, for new directors, will
take place November 3. A one -act play will be televised on
Country Cable TV, a question and answer period between
audience and actors will follow, and the television audience will
be urged to send in comments.
Its purpose is to encourage more people to become involved
and to help the Guild better entertain their audience.
"In the final analysis, the audience is the judge," contends
the artistic director. "They can make or break a production."
Mr. Smith feels one of the reasons for the Guild's success is
that it offers an alternative to sports and meetings. As the Grey
Wellington Theatre Guild gears up for its busiest season, its
original purposes are still at the forefront - giving people a
chance to participate in theatre and entertaining audiences with
quality performances.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/NOVEMBER 1980 PG. 21