Theatre Aurora

Robyn and I had a night at the theatre on Friday. An enjoyable evening it was. We went early to ensure a  parking space. The  lounge provided for a comfortable wait. Coffee was served, Cloak room with an attendant and of course the ticket wicket; all as it should be.

Robyn found grand-dad's name on a  plaque. Her parent's wedding reception was held there. Also a reception  for  Grand-dad's eightieth birthday.

I noticed differences. A warm wood floor in the lounge. Graded seating and theatre chairs of style and comfort.  Stage lighting representing a huge investment.

Robyn is seventeen. She was  surprised to discover Uncle Frank was an actor.

Charlie's Aunt  was his role in the first play ever  presented in the building . Robyn's reaction  made me realise how much time had passed since theatre was a major part of our lives.

Uncle Martin  trod the boards. Aunt Theresa as well  and of course, it had been Grand-dad's abiding passion for forty years.

I told  how  the building came to us. The late Dodie Herskovitz, whose name appears nowhere, gave it and the property around it, for a theatre in exchange for a few hundred dollars owed in taxes.

She donated couple of hundred brand new chrome and  orange vinyl chairs as well.

An  L.I.P.  grant  was available. Between Friday night and Monday morning, plans were prepared to submit with  an application.

The late Tim Baker- Pearce, Harry Shaw and Barbara McGowan's brother and I don't know who else were involved.

The late Bud Rodgers, our clerk-administrator  processed the application lickety- split and we received  a cheque for  twenty-one thousand dollars

The building was cinder block with a flat roof. Three large windows formed the corner, left of the front door.  The main body of  space was five or six steps down from the front area. 

In the centre of the factory floor,surrounded by concrete rubble, in a higgledy- piggledy pile, rested  assets of Theatre Aurora.  Dodie had given  them free storage.

High windows  on either side of the building had not a pane of glass in sight. Birds roosted inside. on beams; flying back and forth, cheeping and chirping. like it was a natural thing.

Excitement was intense. A theatre group, regularly  presenting a season of productions without a home, is a challenge one cannot imagine. It's one of things you do as you go. If asked afterwards how it was done,  the only answer was; it happened.

Sets  constructed, in separate home basements were put together on stage practically hours before  first night.

St Andrew's College theatre was an excellent venue. But it was lent for a specific time.

There were packed houses throughout the run: three week-ends at most.

Everybody involved had jobs.. Rehearsals, set construction, furniture assembly from a store and living rooms,  costumes sewn all had to be done at night. The work took it's  toll.

But not until after end-of-run celebrations at various homes;  Baker-Pearce's  or Terry Hallet's and others.

The talent was amazing. Productions extraordinary.

They did Noel Coward,Neil Simon, Shakespeare,Doyly Carte,George Bernard Shaw. Oklahoma, The Boyfriend, Fiddler On The Roof, The Sound of Music, Music Man, My Fair Lady, A Man For All Seasons and oh so many others.

Ron Wallace acted in The Odd Couple. 

I have thought, before it's too late, we should have our own walk of fame in Aurora. The  stars who gave so much of themselves just for the satisfaction of creating the magic that is theatre. It's a compelling urge. We should have stars on Yonge Street sidewalk.

For a few hours, several times a season, they transported us from our ordinary lives to another place.They gave us something memorable.

On Friday, Robyn and I experienced the magic once again on Henderson Drive.

The play is Drawer Boy by Michael Healey.

Go see what has been accomplished by sustained dedication, not only in presenting plays but in the actual physical creation of a  jewel of a theatre out of a midden of a concrete box.

The Company is open for anyone to join. They offer opportunities not found anywhere else...