The Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club
BY: BG EDITOR
Oct 20, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
Today we'll look at the history of theatrical productions in early Greenwood. In addition to the Greenwood Choral Society and Citizens Band, there were many choirs, orchestras, opera companies and comedic troupes who performed here (see below). Along with these musical companies were the thespians — the dramatic artists and theatrical companies who hit the stage here at the turn of the century.
We begin with the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club. The earliest mention we find of this theater group is February 1898:[1]
"The Greenwood Dramatic Club will give an entertainment on the evening of March 5th, consisting of drama, vocal and instrumental music, etc. The performance to conclude with a farce."
One of the pieces performed that night was "Turn Him Out". The event was talked up in the Grand Forks press:[2]
"The program is to be a varied one and is to consist of drama, vocal and instrumental music, etc, the whole to conclude with a side-splitting-farce. The citizens of Greenwood have our sympathy."—Grand Forks Miner.
Never mind the sympathy Mac. Have some sense and come over to the entertainment on the fifth of March. It will give the Dramatic Club pleasure, and have a civilizing influence on one so long among the barbarians."
Never mind the sympathy Mac. Have some sense and come over to the entertainment on the fifth of March. It will give the Dramatic Club pleasure, and have a civilizing influence on one so long among the barbarians."
The evening's performance, held in Rendell & Co.'s hall with admission at 50 cents, 25 cents for children, got good reviews:[3]
"A crowded house greeted the entertainment given under the auspices of the Greenwood Dramatic Club, Saturday evening last. The numbers on the programme, with one exception, were really good. The acting of Miss Miller, Mr. Custance and Mr. McLaine, in "Turn Him Out" delighted the audience. Mr. Asquith gave a really good character sketch. Mr. McFarlane, Mr. Hemenway and Mr. Pallett exceptionally well. Miss Roy as accompanist. Following is the programme:
The next week, the Dramatic Club gave its performance to a crowd in Midway.
Little more is found about the Club's activities until later, in 1908, except that in 1901 the Times reported them entertaining friends on a picnic at Boundary Falls.[4]
The drama club again got the attention of the press in January 1908:[5]
"Frequent rehearsals are being held by the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club in preparation for the play which they expect to present at an early date. The play is a "hummer" and ought to be seen by everybody in the city. It will be given first at Greenwood and afterwards at Phoenix and Grand Forks. Keep it in mind."
And the following week:[6]
"Confusion! The day and the hour for Greenwood are Friday, January 24th at 8 o'clock. The Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club will present the farcical comedy, "Confusion," by the famous Joseph Derrick. Local people who have seen the play (and they are not interested parties) declare it one of the funniest farces they have ever seen. The company will be assisted by the Greenwood Concert Orchestra of eight pieces. Both club and orchestra have worked up a great deal of enthusiasm and frequent rehearsals have been held, insuring good acting. A handsome prize is offered for anyone who can tell which is the baby and which is the dog. The villain of the play is letting his hair grow longer."
In their issue published on opening night, the Times offered this enticement:[7]
"Tonight the play, "Confusion," is to be put on at the local Auditorium. It hardly needs to be said that this play is being given by the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club which on several occasions has presented local audiences with a delightful entertainment. The cast of characters given in this issue needs little remark. The play is deserving of every local support. The members of the club have given generously not only of their time but also of their effort and money, to make the entertainment a huge success.
Last night a dress rehearsal was held in the Auditorium. Recently some one started a story that the players were to benefit financially from the proceeds of the play. A very small amount will be retained over the expenses of the trip to provide some necessary things for an entertainment which is expected to be given later, but eyerything over and above this amount will be donated to the Anti-Tuberculosis Society for the support of the Sanitarium at Tranquille. It is hoped that the receipts will be such that this sum shall not be inconsiderable. It deserves your support — it should have your attendance; if you haven't bought your ticket do so at once.
Last night a dress rehearsal was held in the Auditorium. Recently some one started a story that the players were to benefit financially from the proceeds of the play. A very small amount will be retained over the expenses of the trip to provide some necessary things for an entertainment which is expected to be given later, but eyerything over and above this amount will be donated to the Anti-Tuberculosis Society for the support of the Sanitarium at Tranquille. It is hoped that the receipts will be such that this sum shall not be inconsiderable. It deserves your support — it should have your attendance; if you haven't bought your ticket do so at once.
The Times' promotional spot on "Confusion" was apparently bang-on, as we read in this follow-up review:[8]
"The comedy of misunderstandings, entitled, by Joseph Derrick, "Confusion," presented last Friday night by the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Society was a surprise — a series of intensely interesting surprises, to even the most sanguine boosters of the production. The house was the largest of the season and every man, woman and child laughed themselves out.
The usual marks of an amateur performance were, so far as could be detected by the ordinary theatre-goer, quite missing. The interpretation given the piece, while it is said to be different from that put upon it in Rossland and Nelson where it was given before, was remarkably effective and having seen it one wonders how it could be bettered in any way. …
Of the orchestra we can only echo our appreciation in the spirit of the card of thanks published elsewhere. R. J. Saonder's trombone solo was simply splendidly given and the audience showed its hearty appreciation by the ringing encore it gave. Greenwood has every reason to be proud of an orchestra that cannot be equalled it is safe to say in the Boundary or Kootenay country."
The usual marks of an amateur performance were, so far as could be detected by the ordinary theatre-goer, quite missing. The interpretation given the piece, while it is said to be different from that put upon it in Rossland and Nelson where it was given before, was remarkably effective and having seen it one wonders how it could be bettered in any way. …
Of the orchestra we can only echo our appreciation in the spirit of the card of thanks published elsewhere. R. J. Saonder's trombone solo was simply splendidly given and the audience showed its hearty appreciation by the ringing encore it gave. Greenwood has every reason to be proud of an orchestra that cannot be equalled it is safe to say in the Boundary or Kootenay country."
Club spokesmen went on to offer their thanks to the Miner's Union at Phoenix, who hosted another performance of the play.
By the Fall of 1908, the club was preparing itself for another dramatic offering:[9]
"The Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club are getting things in shape for another season of activity in the way of rehearsals for a new play which they intend to present in due course.
The exceptional success which attended the club's presentations of the play "Confusion" last winter in Phoenix, Grand Forks and their home town has encouraged them to plan for even better things for the coming season."
The exceptional success which attended the club's presentations of the play "Confusion" last winter in Phoenix, Grand Forks and their home town has encouraged them to plan for even better things for the coming season."
There is little news of the club from this point through 1909, except for a brief mention of F.W. McLaine[10], who is notably the manager of the local auditorium, president of the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club, secretary of the Board of Trade, and "officially connected with all that is energetic and for the good of Greenwood."
Our last mention of the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Clubis found in March 1910,[11] when the Times reported that they would perform "Between the Acts" after Easter.
Next week we will look at the many full-scale theatrical performances given in Greenwood by visiting thespian companies who put on popular melodramas, classics and comedic farces.
"Drama", Honore Daumier
RELATED STORIES:
Music Performed in Early Greenwood
Annie Laurie is Coming to Founders Day
The Greenwood Choral Society
The Greenwood Citizens Band
FOOTNOTES
[1] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 12, 1898, p. 11 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170329
[2] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 26, 1898, p. 14 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170332
[3] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 12, 1898, p. 9 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170457
[4] Greenwood Weekly Times — May 16, 1901, p. 5 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172914
[5] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 10, 1908, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171379
[6] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 17, 1908, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172208
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 24, 1908, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172204
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 31, 1908, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171343
[9] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 16, 1908, p.1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171204
[10] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 08, 1909, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171172
[11] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 25, 1910, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171255
