There will be no play at Bashaw’s Majestic Theatre this year, but it is only temporary and probably a good thing.
Friends of the Majestic Theatre president Peter Koenraadt explained the decision came on Feb. 20 after it became apparent that it was getting too late to organize.
“We lost our director and things were getting behind, then it got too late in the season so we had to cancel,” Koenraadt said at the organization’s annual general meeting on Feb. 23.
“We were simply running out of time with just three or four weeks until our usual spring dates for the show.”
A number of other factors combined to solidify the decision for the group, including the fact none of the last three years saw the annual play completely sell out.
One of those factors was the big fundraiser concert by area resident Gord Bamford that is set for May 1.
“With all of the other plays locally, the big concert our group is also volunteering at, people only having so much money these days to spend on entertainment and us running out of time, it really was the only decision to make for this year,” Koenraadt said.
“Dinner theatres do make good revenue, but it can also be expensive for patrons so we weren’t sure about the affordability. However, we are definitely planning to have a play next year.”
The loss of the play isn’t expected to hurt the group financially for a pair of reasons.
First, it will be one of the many local groups volunteering at the Bamford concert in exchange for a share of the proceeds being handed out.
The other is due to the positive sensation that hosting musical impersonator shows that they started last year has generated.
“These shows have been a huge success,” he said.
“Quite often the shows have been sold out and the interactive shows really seem to get the audiences going. However, even getting 60 or 70 people has been good for us.”
The next musical performance is scheduled for March 9 featuring Jay Davis recreating the warmth and humour of Canada’s crooner Michael Bublé. Song selections will include some recent hits as Save the Last Dance for Me, Haven’t Met You Yet and Home plus many of Bublé’s cover songs like Unforgettable, Quando, Quando, Quando and The Way You Look Tonight.
