News Arts

GWTG brings Twelve Days ‘til Christmas to stage at Harriston Town Hall theatre

by Submitted

Published November 09, 2023 at 9:57 AM

GWTG brings Twelve Days ‘til Christmas to stage at Harriston Town Hall theatre — The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s upcoming production of 12 Days ‘til Christmas, a heartwarming comedy featuring Christmas music, boasts a cast of 30 local actors of all ages. Cast members gather for a group number at a recent rehearsal. From left: front, Kiersten Raftis, Bastian Dirksen, Ellie Bowman, Adelaide Forester, Kensington Bray-Dunning, Sophia Sicilia, Abbygale Golley, Paisley Forester; centre, Keniah Sargeant. Amber McCraney, Candy Aldridge, Carol Anne Klingenberg and Janice Hodgins (musical director); back, Lydia Dirksen, Lexi Drummond, Trinity Skinner, Hattie Bentley, Jack Riehl, Patrick Raftis, Kelly Bray Dunning, Quiana Sargeant, Danica Suchanova, Sherry Campbell, Dan Bieman, Christine Wick, Sean Riehl, Flora Burke and Caroline Wollis. Absent: Jacob Bieman and Ruby Bentley. Submitted photo

HARRISTON – The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild is bringing a heartwarming Christmas comedy, set to seasonal music, to the stage at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre.

Twelve Days ‘til Christmas follows the antics of an eccentric group of guests caught up in a hilarious struggle to find the Christmas spirit while stuck at the Pear Tree Hotel through the holidays.

Written by guild member Megan Raftis, the original script is brought to life by cast of 30 local actors from Harriston, Palmerston, Mount Forest, Listowel and surrounding areas.

GWTG veterans, including Flora Burke, Caroline Wollis, Sean Riehl, Patrick Raftis and Dan Bieman, are part of a cast that includes both adult and youth performers.

“It’s been really great to have experienced theatre members come out and share their knowledge with a lot of new people in this cast,” said director Peggy Raftis.

Peggy said the cast, which has been in rehearsal since early September, “is doing a fabulous job” in putting together a show that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

“It’s a show the whole family can enjoy,” she notes.

“It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit. It’s a lot of fun,” adds Megan, who tailored the script to take full advantage of the guild’s wide range of acting and musical talent.

Live music

Live music for the numerous Christmas favorites in the show has been put together under the musical direction of Janice Hodgins of Mount Forest.

Twelve Days ‘til Christmas runs Nov. 17, 24 and 25 at 7:30pm and Nov. 18 at 8pm following the Harriston Santa Claus Parade. Matinees are set for Nov. 19 and 26 at 2pm. Tickets, $20, are available from Harriston Home Hardware and Walsh’s IDA in Mount Forest, or Eventbrite at greywellingtontheatre.com.

Tickets are also available at the door, or reserve by calling 519-338-2778 or emailing gwtheatreguild@gmail.com.

The Harriston Town Hall Theatre, located at 68 Elora Street South, is a fully-accessible facility.