Introduction
For nearly six decades the Garrick Theatre was a popular venue at Bonavista for film,
and, occasionally, for live performances.
People from as far away as King’s Cove and
Trinity attended regularly. The Garrick is
currently undergoing an extensive
redevelopment under the Bonavista Historic
Townscape Management Plan to provide a
new performing arts facility and cinema that
will serve people on the tip of the Bonavista
Peninsula many decades into the future.
Owned by the Bonavista Historical Society
and operated and managed by the Bonavista
Historic Townscape Foundation as a
non-profit venture, the Garrick will offer live
performances of all types, both local and
visiting productions. In order to make the
facility more financially viable - and to
ensure that it is used for the maximum
number of nights during the year - cinema
will continue to play an important role, with
current Newfoundland, Canadian and
international films being offered on nights
when live performances are not scheduled.
The Town of Bonavista will assist the
operation by providing an annual operating
grant of $20,000.
Background
Built by 19 year-old John Bradley with the
assistance of his father, F. Gordon Bradley, in
1945 - during an era of relative prosperity in
the local economy - the Garrick has been a
popular entertainment venue for generations of
area residents. Named after
David Garrick, an
18th century pioneer of English theatre - and
thus sharing the name with several other
theatres in English-speaking countries,
including the famous Garrick in London - this
theatre was built with a traditional stage and
proscenium to accommodate live theatre and
music. However the immense popularity of
film, especially in the early years, left little
room for other events. In the 1980s and 1990s,
the business waned as it did for most
independent movie theatres throughout North
America. The Garrick finally closed in 2000
and John Bradley and family donated it to the
Bonavista Historical Society in 2003.
Redevelopment Project
Exterior restoration began in 2003 and included
the construction of two additions to
accommodate new washrooms, dressing rooms
and a production area behind the stage. The
interior redevelopment will require an upgrade
of the stage, proscenium, auditorium, lobby and
public washrooms, the installation of new
mechanical and electrical systems, projection
equipment, theatrical sound and lighting
systems, wheelchair lifts, and new seats. The
facility, including stage and dressing rooms,
will be fully accessible. The budget for this
extensive interior redevelopment is
approximately $1,610,000.
Garrick Theatre Capital Campaign
We anticipate securing the support of various
public agencies for this project, but we must
also raise a substantial portion of funds from
other sources. Therefore, we are endeavouring
to raise $210,000, or approximately 13% of
the total budget.
Seat Purchase Plan
You can contribute to this campaign and help to fund the redevelopment of the Garrick by pledging support as follows: through the symbolic purchase of either Auditorium or Balcony Seats under the Commemorative Seat Purchase Plan, or with an individual donation in any amount. When redeveloped, the Garrick will have 200 good quality, art deco style seats (in keeping with the art deco design of the interior) produced by the renowned
Irwin Seating Company.
Auditorium Seats
For a tax deductible donation of $500.00, you may purchase an Auditorium Seat in memory of an ancestor, family member, co-worker, or in the name of any other individual, business, institution or organization. We will install a small brass plate on the wooden armrest of each seat in the auditorium with the name(s) of the person(s), business, etc. to be commemorated. The names will also appear, along with each donor's name, on a brass Seating Plan Plaque permanently mounted in the lobby, to signify the extent of your contribution to the Garrick's redevelopment.
Balcony Seats
For a tax deductible contribution of $1000, you may purchase a balcony seat. Again, the name(s) of the person(s) to be commemorated will be inscribed on a brass plate attached to the wooden armrest of the seat, and also appear with the donor's name on the Seating Plan Plaque in the lobby.
Pledge Now - Contribute Later
We are now seeking pledges in support of the
Garrick Theatre Capital Campaign. Since we
anticipate that construction will proceed this
summer, those offering pledges must make their
contributions by December 19, 2008.
Value of Contribution
The Garrick Theatre Capital Campaign offers a
unique opportunity for you to support an
important social, cultural and economic
development initiative in the Bonavista area, and
to have your contribution permanently
recognized in the theatre. It can also serve as an
enduring memorial or tribute to someone of
significance to you.
Your support is vital if we are to redevelop the
Garrick into a superb facility. Although we
anticipate securing $1.4 million in funds from
public agencies, we cannot proceed with the
project until we raise our own 13% contribution
from non-governmental sources. The public
response to this campaign will therefore
determine the future of the Garrick.
How to Pledge Your Support
If you wish to participate in this campaign and pledge your support for the Garrick Theatre Redevelopment Trust Fund through either the Commemorative Seat Purchase Plan (Auditorium or Balcony Seats) or with a donation in any amount, please complete the following form and submit it or
download a copy and send it to the Foundation at the address below.
Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation
P.O. Box 10
Bonavista, NL A0C 1B0
Telephone: (709) 468-2880
Fax: (709) 468-7253
Email: info@garricktheatre.ca
