The Red Barn burned down in April, but our fantastic season is still on, REALLY! Fiona Reid and Jonathan Crombie star in The Glass Menagerie, June 18 to July 4th with the special Fire Sale price of $15 per ticket (except gala night; applies to pre-ordered tickets only). Join us at the Georgina Stephen Leacock Theatre at 130 Gwendolyn Blvd., Keswick, less than 20 minutes from Jackson’s Point.
Spread the word. The Diamond Season is not to be missed!
This is the first time I have ever written a blog!
The last few weeks have been a very busy time for me and for everyone associated with The Red Barn Theatre. We were all shocked and devastated by the fire that destroyed the theatre. It did not destroy our resolve! We have all worked hard to save the season and mount the productions at The Georgina Stephen Leacock Theatre in Keswick and the gala fundraiser at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Our revised brochures are now out and in the mail. Our newly revised web-site will be completed very soon.
The Stephen Leacock Theatre is very different from The Red Barn. The Red Barn had a very large and deep stage, without a lot of height that was raised approximately four feet, so the audience viewed it from below. The Leacock is completely different, with a small stage with a semi thrust, a very large back wall and great height. The audience is raked quite steeply and views the stage from above.
And so both first shows that I am directing, that had been fully designed for The Red Barn stage, have had to be resigned and re-thought for The Leacock. This process has been demanding, creative and revealing. The designers have worked very hard and the I look forward to the final result.
Focusing on the first play, The Glass Menagerie , I am doing my directorial preparation for that show. The most interesting part has been researching the work and life of Tennessee Williams. His plays, poetry and films are remarkable and understanding his life through biographies and his memoirs has been fascinating. I am delighted to be working with Fiona Reid and Jonathan Crombie, who star in the show.
There is lots to do but I am very excited and I am confident the season will be very compelling and entertaining for our audiences.
onwards,
Jordy Merkur
Artistic Director
The Red Barn Theatre
Jackson’s Point, Ontario –
On April 18, 2009, Canada’s Longest Running Professional Summer Theatre became a pile of ashes as the historic Red Barn succumbed to a devastating fire.
The tributes continue to pour in from across Canada, recognizing The Red Barn Theatre’s remarkable contribution to the arts in Canada and expressing a strong desire that our 2009 Season go ahead as planned. And so, in true theatrical fashion, we are doing just that. (more…)
Stories posted online from April 24, 2009 Georgina Advocate. This issue was devoted to The Red Barn Theatre.
Red Barn last time out for me and my dear father
‘Season has to go forward,’ foundation member Andrew Sibbald says
Sibbald family talks about fond memories of life with the Red Barn
The Lake Simcoe Arts Foundation has stated that the 2009 Diamond Season would continue, despite the loss of the historic Red Barn Theatre to fire. There are technical problems with presenting some of these shows outside a properly designed theatre. Generous offers have come from a number of theatre’s in the GTA and Durham offering their buildings to host the shows. The Mayor and Council of the Town of Georgina have also offered any municipality building (e.g. Leacock Theatre, Sutton Arena) as host for the season as well. We’re also looking for a concept to hold the shows on the original site. What should be the priorities? Do you have suggestions?
The Red Barn Festival 