A Decade of Drama in Greenwood
BY: BG EDITOR
Troupe performing "Francesca Da Rimini"
Nov 03, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
By 1902 the Greenwood Amateur Dramatic Club's work was well underway, and the troupe was offering dramatic performances with a hometown flavour. The Harold Nelson company was also coming to town with their epic religious and dramatic productions. But there were many other theatrical groups also performing on the Greenwood stage. These visiting companies usually delivered lighter fare, with romantic and comedic productions that drew appreciative audiences.
In July 1902, Miss Clara Mathes brought her production company to Greenwood. They gave a series of performances, offering a different show each night of the week at low 'summer prices'. The slate of dramas promised to deliver beautiful costumes, with "specialties" delivered between the acts. Among the popular plays performed was "Nell Gwynne".[1] This historical drama illustrated the life of the 17th Century actress who rose from obscure roots to win the heart of King Charles II. In recent years this play was brought back to life by a London troupe, in 2015.
In the fall of 1902, the Times reported: "Several of the Juveniles were actors in a military drama presented to a large and appreciative audience in Miller's hall on Wednesday evening."[2]
While Harold Nelson & Co. seems to have dominated the Greenwood stage during the early part of the decade, the second half saw many different thespian groups arriving. February 1905 brought a popular Buster Brown comedy:[3]
YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WIFE
Which opens for Thursday, February 9th
"The play is a comedy drama in three act by Chas. Ellis, which provides Master Dunbar, the greatest child actor on the American stage, as Buster Brown, with just the sort of speeches that sounds funny when he delivers them, but would not if spoken by anyone else.
The repetition of certain aside remarks which he interjects parenthetically and in the most irrelevent way as in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and other vehicles, contributes much to the merriment of his scene. Instead of this little squibs and quirks becoming flat and stale they sound funnier the often they are repeated in the inimitable tones of Master Dunbar who is ably assisted by James T. McGovern as Happy Hooligan.
The musical numbers compel the owner, Mr. Hugh Ettinger, to carry a band and orchestra of solo players. The free concert given by these clever musicians on the above date in the afternoon and evening in front of the opera house is well worth coming miles to hear."
Which opens for Thursday, February 9th
"The play is a comedy drama in three act by Chas. Ellis, which provides Master Dunbar, the greatest child actor on the American stage, as Buster Brown, with just the sort of speeches that sounds funny when he delivers them, but would not if spoken by anyone else.
The repetition of certain aside remarks which he interjects parenthetically and in the most irrelevent way as in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" and other vehicles, contributes much to the merriment of his scene. Instead of this little squibs and quirks becoming flat and stale they sound funnier the often they are repeated in the inimitable tones of Master Dunbar who is ably assisted by James T. McGovern as Happy Hooligan.
The musical numbers compel the owner, Mr. Hugh Ettinger, to carry a band and orchestra of solo players. The free concert given by these clever musicians on the above date in the afternoon and evening in front of the opera house is well worth coming miles to hear."
The audience in early Greenwood was discerning, and no doubt also responded to the winds of fortune from the mines. Not all theatrical entertainment drew a full house. In April 1906[4] we find this example of a performance that landed with more of a thud than a splash:
"The MacKenzie-Glover Company, a troupe of Scotch artists played to an empty house that night, although their comedic skits included English, Scotch, Irish and German comedy."
Later that year an ad ran for Out In Idaho, but reviewers apparently weren't excited about the performance.[5]
The following year a melodramatic piece seemed to capture more audience interest, although the preview was borrowed text.[6]
LOVE AND PATHOS
"George D. Sweet supported by a remarkably strong company presented that splendid melodrama, "A Messenger Boy," at the Opera house last night. The plot of the play is a realistic representation of life from the outside world that appeals so forcibly to our natures.
The kidnapping of two children, with their final rescue, with a tale of devoted and trusting love that had its origin in the outcast life of the street waifs at pier 46 in the great city, with the manly honor and final reward of the kidnapped bootblack who possesses noble traits of honor and integrity, make a drama that fascinates while it pleases. The scene at the great Brooklyn bridge, with night on the east river with its lights and piers is worth the price of admission alone. …
To enumerate the good features would be to give the entire cast, for there is not a weak place in either the plot or the players." — Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa. The Company will give a performance here on Monday next, Oct. 14th at the Auditorium."
"George D. Sweet supported by a remarkably strong company presented that splendid melodrama, "A Messenger Boy," at the Opera house last night. The plot of the play is a realistic representation of life from the outside world that appeals so forcibly to our natures.
The kidnapping of two children, with their final rescue, with a tale of devoted and trusting love that had its origin in the outcast life of the street waifs at pier 46 in the great city, with the manly honor and final reward of the kidnapped bootblack who possesses noble traits of honor and integrity, make a drama that fascinates while it pleases. The scene at the great Brooklyn bridge, with night on the east river with its lights and piers is worth the price of admission alone. …
To enumerate the good features would be to give the entire cast, for there is not a weak place in either the plot or the players." — Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa. The Company will give a performance here on Monday next, Oct. 14th at the Auditorium."
The next big melodrama to play in Greenwood that year had a more familiar theme: A Texas Ranger.[7]
"A TEXAS RANGER"
"The most successful of all the western melodramas, dealing with cowboy life, which are so much in vogue at the present time, is "A Texas Ranger," which will be seen in this city for the first time on Saturday Evening next at the Auditorium. The story of the play deals with the life of a cow-puncher named Jack Dallam, who has about as many thrilling adventures during the two and a half hours that the play runs as many people crowd into a life-time. The comedy element has not been overlooked, and the characters of "Danvray Dalvina" Dalrymple and "Wildcat" are screams all the time they are on the stage."
"The most successful of all the western melodramas, dealing with cowboy life, which are so much in vogue at the present time, is "A Texas Ranger," which will be seen in this city for the first time on Saturday Evening next at the Auditorium. The story of the play deals with the life of a cow-puncher named Jack Dallam, who has about as many thrilling adventures during the two and a half hours that the play runs as many people crowd into a life-time. The comedy element has not been overlooked, and the characters of "Danvray Dalvina" Dalrymple and "Wildcat" are screams all the time they are on the stage."
1909 brought several interesting dramas to Greenwood: the popular Irish drama, Kerry Gow and the great classic story of the Count of Monte Cristo.[8]
Dumas' Masterpiece Here Soon
"That tremendous drama of the Napoleonic period "Monte Cristo" will be presented at the Opera House on Tuesday March 16th with Frederick Clarke as the Count, and an excellent company. This play is under the direction of K. Willis, and no expense has been spared to make the production complete in every detail.
The beautiful story of Alexander Dumas is splendidly staged and the cast chosen with an eye to make this production the best that has ever been through Canada. It is perhaps one of the most expensive productions that has ever been through this province. The costumes are in keeping with the Napoleonic period, and strict attention is giving to every detail. No one should miss this rare dramatic treat."
"That tremendous drama of the Napoleonic period "Monte Cristo" will be presented at the Opera House on Tuesday March 16th with Frederick Clarke as the Count, and an excellent company. This play is under the direction of K. Willis, and no expense has been spared to make the production complete in every detail.
The beautiful story of Alexander Dumas is splendidly staged and the cast chosen with an eye to make this production the best that has ever been through Canada. It is perhaps one of the most expensive productions that has ever been through this province. The costumes are in keeping with the Napoleonic period, and strict attention is giving to every detail. No one should miss this rare dramatic treat."
Two dramas that played Greenwood in 1908.[9-10]
Two more dramas arrived on stage shortly after Monte Cristo: the great Shakespeare classic As You Like It and lighter fare in the form of a Scottish drama. The first was previewed by the Times:[11]
"All lovers of the best in drama will be delighted to hear that F.W. McLaine, the popular manager of the Greenwood Auditorium, has secured an elaborate production of "As You Like It," the most delightful of all Shakespeare's comedies, for Wednesday next, December 15.
The company presenting "As You Like It" is from the Walker theater, in Winnipeg, and is composed almost entirely of English players. Special scenery, special new and rich costumes add greatly to the beauty of the performance. Everyone should be there. It will do everyone good to see this comedy."
The company presenting "As You Like It" is from the Walker theater, in Winnipeg, and is composed almost entirely of English players. Special scenery, special new and rich costumes add greatly to the beauty of the performance. Everyone should be there. It will do everyone good to see this comedy."
Just after Christmas the Times ran a preview of the upcoming drama, The Bonnie Briar Bush:[12]
"That beautiful Scottish drama, "The Bonnie Briar Bush," is to pay us a visit in the very near future. This will be welcome news to all lovers of this delightful interpretation of Ian McLaren's widely read stories of Drumtochty. The story is so well and favorably known here that it is unnecessary to detail the plot.
Iachlan Campbell, Postie, Tammas, McLure and all the other lovable characters will be well presented by a thoroughly capable company of players. An entirely new and beautiful scenic production has been built for this season, the former one having been destroyed this summer in a fire which burned up one of the largest storage warehouses in New York City. The play will be given here the second weekend of January at the Auditorium."
Iachlan Campbell, Postie, Tammas, McLure and all the other lovable characters will be well presented by a thoroughly capable company of players. An entirely new and beautiful scenic production has been built for this season, the former one having been destroyed this summer in a fire which burned up one of the largest storage warehouses in New York City. The play will be given here the second weekend of January at the Auditorium."
The decade of drama in Greenwood ended with three more excellent performances — two comedies and another great classic. In March 1910, the Eckhart company brought three comedies to the stage on back-to-back runs, delivering "tears of laughter":[13]
"The Eckhart Theatrical company, with whom is the talented artist, Miss Josephine Deffry, played to Greenwood audiences for three nights last week. On Thursday night they gave an especially good representation of a beautiful comedy drama, "Paid in Full," a play that has set all New York talking. It was unfortunate that there was also a St. Patrick's ball the same night, which accounted for a small audience only. On Friday and Saturday nights the Eckhart company presented the light comedies, "Brown's in Town" and the "Mask Ball…"
Finally, in December 1910, the classic Three Muskateers hit the stage:[14]
"The Sanford Dodge Theatrical Company will appear at the Auditorium on Wednesday evening, Dec 7th, in the drama, "The Three Muskateers". One night only, seats reserved at Logans. The B.C. press speaks in the highest term of this company which should insure a standing room only house."
The Three Muskateers
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 18, 1902, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170783
[2] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 31, 1902, p. 6 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170716
[3] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 03, 1905, p. 3 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172532
[4] Boundary Creek Times — Apr 27, 1906, p. 2 & 5 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171972
[5] Boundary Creek Times — Nov 30, 1906, p. 2 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172409
[6] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 11, 1907, p. 3 & 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172392
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 25, 1907, p. 3 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171675
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 12, 1909, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171286
[9] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 18, 1908, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172012
[10] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 23, 1908. p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171196
[11] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 10, 1909, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172266
[12] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 31, 1909, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172246
[13] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 25, 1910, p. 1 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171255
[14] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 02, 1910, p. 4 https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171504
