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It’s been 20 months since stages went dark for Drayton Entertainment, but soon, lights will be bright and the curtain will once again rise on live theatre in the Waterloo region.
Drayton Entertainment has announced it will put on two shows in December: The musical A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline will be at St. Jacobs Country Theatre and Back Home for the Holidays still take stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge.
“The ability to get back to that experience, that live communal experience that we share with an audience, we just can’t wait,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
Mustakas says people are hungry for live theatre and the vaccination requirements make him comfortable with reopening.
People attending shows will need to have proof of two doses of vaccinations against COVID-19. Mustakas says they are requiring anyone involved with productions to have both vaccinations as well.
Drayton Entertainment will be putting on shows at full capacity, as well as shows at half capacity for people who still might not be comfortable with large crowds.
“We know they’ll love the shows. We want them to feel comfortable and safe though,” said Mustakas.
“We want them to leave the theatre and say the show was great and these people did everything in their power to keep us safe.”
Financial and cultural hit
It’s been a tough year-and-a-half for the performing arts. Mustakas says many performers not only lost their on-stage gigs, but also their other jobs like teaching or bartending.
Mustakas said Drayton Entertainment took a hit of close to $3 million in 2020. He says stakeholders were supportive, and they were able to raise funds through a 50/50 draw, but it was still a rough year.
David Connolly, the associate artistic director with Drayton Entertainment, says there’s also been a cultural loss without live theatre.
“It’s hard to put into words. It’s my personal view that it’s a healing endeavour,” said Connolly. “It’s a healing thing for people to come to a theatre, turn off their phones, sit in the dark, and suspend their disbelief.”
He said there were also positives. He’s been able to work on a new theatre program in Waterloo for 2022.
It won’t be long before the drought will be over, though, and actors will take the stage at the start of December. Mustakas says it will be a special moment.
“I have a feeling, especially the performers, are going to be very emotional, to be honest with you. But I think the audience will as well,” said Mustakas.
“People are ready.”
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