Drayton Festival Theatre celebrated its final performance of the 2015 season with a classic musical inside the theatre and great food outside the venue.
On Aug. 9, a rare afternoon opening brought invited theatre patrons, supporters, media sponsors, actors and actresses from the last 25 years to Drayton to enjoy The Music Man as the Festival Theatre wound down its 25th anniversary season.
Prior to the show, Drayton Entertainment fan favourite Neil Aitchison spoke to the audience.
“Twenty-five years ago, the actors performing in our first show complained that I took too long to start the show. Today, we started 20 minutes earlier,” Aitchison said.
The Drayton Festival Theatre opened its doors on July 1, 1991.
The first year budget was $99,000 and Alex Mustakas was the artistic director. Mustakas had approached the then Village of Drayton with his dream of live theatre in the community.
“During my presentation to the community, one farmer sat stone faced in the back seat, listening to my idea. I knew if I could sell my concept to him, I could sell it to anyone. That person turned out to be Bruce Schieck,” Mustakas explained.
“He said we have hockey and all kinds of sporting events for our children. Let’s go with a theatre for their enrichment.”
Schieck is still a member of the board of directors today.
Mustakas set a goal of creating “the best theatre anywhere in the world,” using the best artists.
The first performance was staged with 12 borrowed lights – compared to over 200 permanent lights today. The length of the stage has doubled from its original size, a live orchestra still performs and each year 3,100 adults and children volunteer. The Music Man is the 101st live show presented at the theatre.
Schieck gave a history of the theatre before it became the brand it is today.
“We always wondered if a theatre could exist in an agricultural community with a strong Dutch and Mennonite presence,” Schieck said.
“Twenty five years later, it’s successful and there are plans in the works for a theatre group for children.”
After the performance, patrons were invited to dine outside the building, view a collection of historic photos of the theatre’s past 25 years, and mingle with the cast of The Music Man.
