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 but 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 provincial 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 no live performances are scheduled.
Background
Built in 1945 by 21 year-old John Bradley with the assistance of his father, F. Gordon Bradley, 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 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 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 $1,000,000.
Garrick Theatre Redevelopment Trust Fund
The intention is to seek the support of various public agencies for this project, but we must also raise a portion of the funds from other sources. Therefore, with the assistance of the Historical Society and the Town, the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation is endeavouring to raise $100,000 or approximately 10% of the total budget. We have established the fund at the local branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia, and will obtain charitable status to allow for the issuance of tax receipts to Canadian donors.
Commemorative 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 seeking pledges only at present. When we have identified other sources of funding and can better determine a completion date for the project, we will contact all those who have pledged support to request the actual contributions.
Value of Contribution
The Garrick Theatre Redevelopment Trust Fund offers a unique opportunity to pay tribute to your ancestors or others in an enduring, living memorial and, at the same time, support an important social and economic development initiative in the Bonavista area.
Your support is vital if we are to redevelop this superb facility.
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
