The board of the Elgin Theatre Guild has recently launched a campaign to rebuild the balcony of the Princess Ave Playhouse in St. Thomas. Fans of local live theatre and Canadian music (which has been well represented on the Playhouse stage in recent years) will applaud their decision to go ahead with the repair.
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The Princess Ave Playhouse has been home to the Elgin Theatre Guild since 1987. Ongoing repairs to the 1907 building received a major boost in 2011 with a donation from the estate of Dorothy Palmer. The resulting upgrades enhanced the guild’s ability to offer community actors a chance to shine in the intimate setting and enabled it to host a parade of memorable musical events.
Sampling of Music at Princess Ave Playhouse 2011-2016Upgrades to the Princess Ave Playhouse back in 2011 enhanced the Elgin Theatre Guild ability to offer community actors a chance to shine in the intimate setting and enabled it to host a parade of memorable musical events. A sampling of some of them appears in video below. Now a rebuild of the balcony is needed and fundraising for that project will launch with an April 14th Music Concert at the CASO Station ... http://www.relishelgin.ca/entertainment/february-21st-2016
Posted by Relish Elgin on Sunday, February 21, 2016
Performers in the above video include Ennis, Sloan, Dave Gunning, Bruce Cockburn, Mudmen, John Milles & Friends, Joel Plaskett, Steven Page, Mike Mulhern & Don Mathers, Sheridan Band, Quartette with Sylvia Tyson, Sarah & Jeff, Dennis Kalichuk, Jimmy Rankin, Hawkesly Workman. Photos of Bruce Cockburn, Mudmen, Hawkesley Workman (#2) by Mark Girdauskas
Currently, the Playhouse is looking and sounding great. However, one of its notable features, a beautiful curving balcony, has turned out to be a bit of a problem. Building codes back in 1907 weren’t what they are now. It was discovered that the balcony didn’t pass muster under today’s standards.
When the board of ETG was presented with the estimate for repair of $60,000 they were put in the position of having to give some serious thought to the wisdom of sinking that substantial sum into the balcony. The main floor seating is usually adequate for live theatre performances which are spread over several dates. However, it was decided that the balcony is an important part of the building’s architecture. Also, as a music venue, more seating is advantageous to meeting the demand of patrons and to generating enough revenue to make bringing in high calibre musicians feasible.
When the board of ETG was presented with the estimate for repair of $60,000 they were put in the position of having to give some serious thought to the wisdom of sinking that substantial sum into the balcony. The main floor seating is usually adequate for live theatre performances which are spread over several dates. However, it was decided that the balcony is an important part of the building’s architecture. Also, as a music venue, more seating is advantageous to meeting the demand of patrons and to generating enough revenue to make bringing in high calibre musicians feasible.
Most musicians performing for their first time at the Playhouse pause, often more than once, to express appreciation for the quality of the venue. (They are also frequently amused by the fully completed theatre sets which sometimes form the back-drop for their shows.)
Throughout his performance in April of 2012 Joel Plaskett created a sense of his connectedness with the places of Canada which would now include St. Thomas. Early in the show he gave nod to the playhouse, saying, “This place is cool, St. Thomas, look at this place.”
Throughout his performance in April of 2012 Joel Plaskett created a sense of his connectedness with the places of Canada which would now include St. Thomas. Early in the show he gave nod to the playhouse, saying, “This place is cool, St. Thomas, look at this place.”
During his 2013 show, Hawkesley Workman reflected on many things, including the Princess Ave Playhouse, noting “This feels nice here … I don’t know what they did …?”
Well, they put a lot of effort into upgrading a charming heritage building and creating a wonderfully intimate venue with great sound for live theatre and music. Those of us who have become quite enthused about the opportunity to enjoy community theatre and live Canadian music at Princess Ave will certainly give the decision to rebuild the balcony a standing ovation. Hopefully there will be many in the community who dive in to support the upcoming fundraising efforts. One of those will be the Let’s Build the Balcony Fundraiser on Thursday April 14th at the CASO Railway Station.
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Let’s Build the Balcony Again Fundraiser takes place Thur Apr 14th. The singer song writer’s circle format will include Sean McCann (Great Big Sea), Dave Gunning, The Laws (John & Michelle) and Paul Langille. Treats courtesy of James Meadows Catering will be served at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets on the website below (click on tickets tab).
Time: 6:30 doors open, treats / 7:30pm show
Tickets: $45 with a $20 tax receipt
Venue: CASO Railway Station
Address: 750 Talbot St, St. Thomas
Contact Phone: Elgin Theatre Guild, 519-63-8530
Email: info@elgintheatreguild.ca
Website: http://www.elgintheatreguild.ca/
Well, they put a lot of effort into upgrading a charming heritage building and creating a wonderfully intimate venue with great sound for live theatre and music. Those of us who have become quite enthused about the opportunity to enjoy community theatre and live Canadian music at Princess Ave will certainly give the decision to rebuild the balcony a standing ovation. Hopefully there will be many in the community who dive in to support the upcoming fundraising efforts. One of those will be the Let’s Build the Balcony Fundraiser on Thursday April 14th at the CASO Railway Station.
-----
Let’s Build the Balcony Again Fundraiser takes place Thur Apr 14th. The singer song writer’s circle format will include Sean McCann (Great Big Sea), Dave Gunning, The Laws (John & Michelle) and Paul Langille. Treats courtesy of James Meadows Catering will be served at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets on the website below (click on tickets tab).
Time: 6:30 doors open, treats / 7:30pm show
Tickets: $45 with a $20 tax receipt
Venue: CASO Railway Station
Address: 750 Talbot St, St. Thomas
Contact Phone: Elgin Theatre Guild, 519-63-8530
Email: info@elgintheatreguild.ca
Website: http://www.elgintheatreguild.ca/