The Village Squire, 1981-09, Page 9The magnificent
St Marys Opera House
fascinating story of the building unfolded
on the second floor, with its grandiose
800 -seat auditorium complete with bal-
cony and theatrical stage. Big names in
entertainment as well as local talent,
performed Shakespearean plays, musical
variety shows and comedy acts. Sir John
A. Mac donald spoke to a gathering in the
opera house in 1891 during his last
campaign. Moving pictures arrived about
1900.
C.W. "Curly" Wilson, St. Marys
historian, is one of the few people who
remember the cultural days of the opera
house. Curly was born in Ingersoll in 1889,
but his family moved to the St. Marys area
when he was only six months old.
He remembers different buildings in
The Stone Town, especially the arena with
its peculiar dome. The grocery store was a
fascinating place with ginger snaps and
brown sugar in barrels and spices and teas
in caddies on the walls. Curly remembers
an old lamppost in front of the Opera
House that is shown in an early
photograph of the Hutton Block. He
recalls how the lamp lighter lit the lamp in
the evenings, and of course, he remem-
bers the Opera House.
For several years, Curly's brother
operated a tinsmith shop in the Hutton
Block south of the Opera House. The
family lived above the shop, and Curly's
bedroom was next to the theatre. Through
the walls he could hear singing, dancing
and applauding. But he did more than
eavesdrop. He attended many performan-
ces, and even took part in some shows
along with other young people.
At the age of twelve he played a sailor in
H.M.S. Pinafore. "We practiced for two
or three weeks and had a lot of fun," says
Curly. "In those days, we made our own
entertainment.
Another St. Marys resident, Isabel
Sparks, used to perform Scottish dances
on stage- the Sailor's Hornpipe and Sword
Dance. Charles Copeland, Sr., caretaker,
and his daughter, Ivy, played the piano at
many shows. Important gatherings such
as special dances, Bobby Burns nights,
and suppers, acre held at the Opera
House. London's Harpers and Tony
Cortez played at dances; Finsell's Orche-
stra from Detroit played at the Banker's
Ball. Tickets for most shows were sold at
Andrew's Jewellery store and F.W.
Hutton's grocery store.
Entertainment was varied. Uncle Tom's
Cabin was presented several times, and
the Marx Brothers appeared. Nora Clench
an accomplished violinist and one of St.
Marys' most famous citizens, gave a
farewell concert on April 26, 1894.
According to Curly Wilson, Guy Bros.
Minstrels came regularly every year, like
the circus.
On Sept. 25,1884, the St. Marys Argus
announced: "Coming- The greatest of
them all, Baker and Farron, Dutch and
Irish Comedians. Friday, October 3rd -
One night only. Don't fail to see them. For
particulars see posters, dodgers, etc."
On October 30, 1884, the Argus urged
residents to see "Othello on Friday
night." "Our local managers are to be
congratulated upon their success in
obtaining the celebrated Stafford Foster
Company in an elaborate production of
Shakespeare's sublime tragedy at the
Opera House on All Hallowe'en (Friday
night October 31st.) His company left an
excellent impression here last fall and
that an exceptionally fine performance
will be given goes without saying. Our
readers will do well to secure their seats in
advance, now on sale at Rice and
Chapple's book store. Mr. Stafford's
impersonation of Othello is a grand
characterization while Miss Foster's Des-
demona is marked by a grace and dignity
most becoming. A crowded house will
great this admirable company."
Moving pictures made their debut at the
opera house about 1900. Biography On
Boer War- the boys returning from the
Boer War- was presented on April 19,
1900. Cox Bros. presented Queen Victor-
ia's funeral on March 21, 1901, but
according to newspaper reports, it was an
unsuccessful show.
One of the finest presentations, in
Curly Wilson's opinon, was The Birth Of A
Nation -a motion picture that made a
return engagement at the Opera House in
1916. Prices were 50 cents, 75 cents, and
51. probably the first time anyone paid 51
to see a show.
Advertisements proclaimed: "The most
tremendous dramatic spectacle that the
brain of man has yet produced! D. W.
Griffith's 8th wonder of the world. 5,000
scenes, 18,000 characters, 3,000 horses;
cost 5500,000.00 The great newspapers of
Canada have endorsed its artistic, histori-
cal and educational values and say to their
readers, "See it!"
Ironically, one of the least successful
performances in the Opera House damp-
ened the Oddfellows' grand opening on
Oct. 6, 1880. Holmes Opera Company
received disparaging remarks from news-
paper and amateur critics alike. One of the
best presentations, meanwhile, was the
finale by the Boston -English Opera
Company, on May 1, 1919.
According to Curly Wilson, motion
pictures spelled the end for the Opera
House and live entertainment. In 1920,
the three storeys of the old Opera House
were converted into a flour mill by St.
Marys Milling Company. Later owners
included Wolverton Flour Mills Company
Limited and Great Star Flour Mills
Limited, which sold the Opera House
Block to Trifid Realty Developments, a
local development firm in 1973.
The future of the Opera House is
undecided. In June, St. Marys Town
Council designated the structure under
the Ontario Heritage Act as a building
worthy of architectural significance. The
move was welcomed by LACAC (Local
Architectural Conservation Advisory
Committee) and the St. Marys Opera
House Foundation. However, the desig-
nation has been opposed by the building's
current owners- Trifid Realty Develop-
ments- and could be lifted in about six
months.
The shell of the Opera House still
commands an admiring glance at the
southwest corner of the downtown area.
But, its era as a cultural centre and as a
flour mill has passed.
Its future is uncertain.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/SEPTEMBER 1981 PG. 7