Playgoers of Lethbridge celebrates 95 years

CANADA’S LONGESTRUNNING AMATEUR THEATRE COMPANY TURNING FOCUS TO 100 YEARS

With 95 years of history, Playgoers of Lethbridge remains Canada’s longestrunning amateur theatre company. Now, with that record of uninterrupted activity, the group is starting to plan for its 100th birthday.

Club president Elaine Jagielski says Playgoers members are actively exploring ideas for their group’s centenary.

At their recent annual meeting, she reported on a series of successful events over the last 12 months. Last spring, she noted, Playgoers served as host for the annual Chinook Regional One Act Festival.

Rita Peterson, a Playgoers member, wrote “Clarity” as one of the festival’s entries.

During Whoop-Up Days, the club reprised “Priscilla Pringle’s Predicament,” a longtime favourite written by veteran Playgoers director Ed Bayly. This time, thanks to a City grant, the presentation included a quiz show with prizes.

Jagielski reported the group’s two dinner-theatre productions were sold-out successes. In the fall, Lee Prindle directed “Savannah Sipping Society” and then earlier this year Jagielski directed “Beyond a Joke.”

Over the festive season, she added, members held a “gifting auction” during their Christmas party, in support of the Lethbridge Food Bank. Members also staged a readers’ theatre version of “A Christmas Carol” for residents of a seniors’ residence in West Highlands.

Playgoers is now calling for entries for this year’s one-act drama festival, to be held here in April.

Jagielski was returned for a further term as president.