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History Of Our Theatre
Part 2
: Saved by the SPAC
The year was 1984. It seemed like a dim prospect for the beautiful theatre in Stirling, when the town decided that the space was more important for the village maintenance trucks than the arts.
With the demolition looming in the future, there were few who thought the theatre could survive.
That was when several of the most dedicated Stirling citizens formed what would be the saving grace of the theatre, The Stirling Performing Arts Committee.
The plan to destroy the theatre and use it for public works space was overruled when the committee and the villagers signed a petition to halt the demolition.
Through sheer dedication, hard work and a lot of heart, the founding members of Stirling Performing Arts Committee or SPAC, (Marion & Bert Bastedo, Dave & Ruth Potts, Peggy Faulkner, Bob & Jean Hatton and John Lowery) staged a plan to fundraise for the theatre. They approached the Ontario Arts Council for a grant to bring in performers. They began a concert series and over the next 16 years, brought to Stirling, some of Canada’s top comedians (including Dave Broadfoot and Don Harron), musicians (North York Symphony Orchestra and the Elmer Eisler Singers) and other quality entertainment like Noel Cowards’ Private Lives. They sold tickets from their own homes and looked after the theatre inside and out. They maintained and improved the interior through renovations. Eugene Burrell added railings to the dressing rooms, put in new curtain tracks and made other improvements. Soon there was no doubt that the theatre was again an integral part of the community.
In 1990, Theatre Board Chairman Alex Winkler heard of Pierre LaCasse’s beautiful Bosendorfer grand piano. Due to an injury, LaCasse was unable to play professionally any more and his glorious piano was suffering from lack of use. LaCasse was willing to sell the piano to the theatre at a greatly reduced cost. Originally purchased at $35,000 in 1974, the piano’s value had increased to $80, 000 by 1991. Stirling would be able to have it for a mere $20,000!
Mr. Winkler was convinced. Through the combined efforts of the Performing Arts Committee, the newly formed Piano Fund Committee, public schools, local business and the Little Village with the Big Heart, the Key Campaign was initiated. For $100, anyone could “buy” any of the 92 keys on the Bosendorfer.
The donation would solely be put toward the purchase of the piano and the buyers name would be permanently displayed on a plaque in the lobby of the theatre. (It’s true- check it out at intermission when you’re on the way up the stairs). Together, the committees raised the money, and the wonderful piano, the only one available to the general public between Toronto and Ottawa, found a new home at the Stirling Theatre. The move was done by public works crew and the new home for the piano was built in the shop, behind the stage.
It is clear that the Stirling Theatre would no longer be standing if it weren’t for the valiant efforts of the Stirling Performing Arts Committee and the theatre would not be graced with the presence of the illustrious Bosendorfer without the hard work of the Piano Campaign Committee.
See what happened when
Ms. Caroline Smith
rolled into town in1996 in our
third
part
of
History of the Stirling Festival Theatre.
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©2005, The Stirling Festival Theatre Inc.