Old Friends, New Adventures: Fergus Grand Theatre 2023-24 Presenting Series

April 5, 2023 @ 9:37 amArts & Entertainment, News

March 27 was World Theatre Day and because the Fergus Grand Theatre is well known in Centre Wellington for it’s diversity of performances, theatre co-ordinator Eric Goudie decided to do something a little different to celebrate the day. Samhi Ayoub gave a message from the World Day executive committee about what the day is all about. Goudie gave a short resume of his Presenting Series entitled “Old Friends, New Adventures” which includes a live performance by a small stage ballet troupe that will be coming to the local stage next year. Goudie’s contribution to the day was a short play by George Bernard Shaw entitled The Dark Lady of the Sonnets. The players are usually seen in performances by the Elora Community Theatre group and they are from left, Nancy Baker playing Queen Elizabeth, Cory Sanders as the Warder, Anthony Decantis as William Shakespeare and Lynne McIntee as the Dark Lady. Photo by Bill Longshaw

CENTRE WELLINGTON – On March 27, as part of World Theatre Day festivities, the Fergus Grand Theatre unveiled the artists and shows that will be part of its 2023-2024 presenting season, entitled Old Friends, New Adventures. 

“Variety truly is the spice of life,” says theatre coordinator Eric Goudie. 

“We have a great mix this season, and I hope people will take this opportunity to come out and take in a variety of shows that they’ve never tried before.”

The season kicks off with A Field Guide to Rural Living, featuring Canadian folk icon Ian Bell and playwright Dan Needles, author of the wildly successful Wingfield Farm plays. 

Bell and Needles’ last show at the Grand sold out quickly, and their new show, which features more stories and songs about the joys and absurdities of rural life, is sure to do so too.

Other mainstage series shows include Rory Gardiner, a CCMA-nominated musician, comedian, motivational speaker and TikTok superstar, fiddle sensations Shane Cook and the Woodchippers, and the Red Dirt Skinners, back by popular demand. 

The series rounds out with Dance For All, an evening of dance from Canada’s Ballet Jorgen, featuring selections of works from classic ballets, and ground-breaking new work from contemporary Canadian choreographers.

Also launching next season is a long-awaited family series, starting with Shaun Boothe’s inspirational show, Live Your Legacy. 

Shaun Boothe is an award-winning hip-hop artist, TEDx speaker and creator of The Unauthorized Biography Series, a critically acclaimed musical project that celebrates the world’s greatest cultural icons through biographical rap songs, repackaging history through Hip-Hop. 

Live Your Legacy features the stories of Terry Fox, Malala Yousafzai, and Serena Williams.

Single tickets for all shows are now on sale, but season subscriptions are also available, and they are a great way for patrons to see all five mainstage shows at a lower price and enjoy both their “old friends” while trying some “new adventures” in the year ahead.

Tickets are available in the box office, by phone at 519-787-1981, or online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca.