Local theatre company presents 2024-25 season
Theatre Burlington’s next show Santa the Panto, for children, two adult shows to follow in 2025
Theatre Burlington began as Burlington Little Theatre, way back in 1952.
“It was started by a small group of theatre enthusiasts who really believed in community theatre, and believed that Burlington would support it,” explained publicity chair Kathy Hyde-Nagel. “Over 70 years later, we have grown into a very reputable amateur theatre company, with our own building, including an auditorium where we produce our season, and many theatrical productions and awards to show for it.”
One of Theatre Burlington’s last season offerings, the play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”, won best production, best director, and best ensemble in the Western Ontario Drama League Awards last year.
“We are very proud of the variety and quality of our offerings, each year,” said Hyde-Nagel. “We produce a children’s play each holiday season, plus three mainstage plays. This year, all of our mainstage productions are Canadian plays.”
The children’s production this year is a British play by Diana Kimpton, adapted by Julie Donoahue and Hyde-Nagel, called “Santa the Panto”.
“We had to do a fair bit of adapting, as the play was quite British,” laughed Hyde-Nagel. “We also added some characters, including Barbie and Ken, and the Elf on the Shelf, to make it more relevant to the kids these days. The author is fine with us making changes, and she doesn’t charge royalties, she just asked that we make a donation to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, which of course we are happy to do.”
“Santa the Panto” is suitable for children 5 to 12 years of age, and is playing at various times November 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, and 30, at Theatre Burlington.
“Timepiece” is the company’s next offering, in February. “This is a family comedy-drama”, explained Hyde-Nagel. “The father is actually a watchmaker in the early stages of dementia and it’s about the kids figuring out to navigate through this. It’s about the changing dynamics of kids becoming the caregivers and looking after their parents. Something that is very relevant to lots of folks today.”
The last show of Theatre Burlington’s regular season this year is “Bluebirds”, running in April.
“This is a lovely show, about three nurses in WWI, their friendship, lives, how they cope,” said Hyde-Nagel. “Every year we try to find stories that are a little bit different, not necessarily ones people would know, but definitely ones people will be interested in, and that they can relate to. We are really excited about this year’s Canadian plays.”
Theatre Burlington finishes off its season this year with its second annual Short Play Festival. “This is a chance for us to showcase local writers, actors, and directors, and their work, to the community.”
It takes a lot of volunteers to put on each season at Theatre Burlington. “The directors, producers, and stage managers receive a small honorarium, but really everyone is a volunteer, and they all have a lot of talent. It’s amazing that they want to spend their time this way, and incredible to see what can be built with everyone working together,” said Hyde-Nagel. “We are really proud of our history, our legacy, and what’s to come here at Theatre Burlington.”
To purchase tickets for any of Theatre Burlington’s 2024-25 season shows, click here. See you at the theatre!
