Fonds contains programs, an expenses ledger, a workshop booklet, bylaws and constitution relating to the Bulkley Valley Players Club, as well as two architectural drawings showing a proposed cultural space to be used for performances by members of the Club. The fonds is divided into three series: A…
The Bulkley Valley Players Club was formed in Smithers in 1959 with the goal of educating members and the general public in the art of amateur theatre. Marjory and Tadek Then were among the founders. Membership was open to all community members aged sixteen or over, with the only requirements being active participation and an annual membership fee. The Club held drama workshops and typically performed two full-length plays each season, as well as at special events such as Smithers’ 50th anniversary celebrations in 1963. Children’s plays began to be performed in 1964. In the mid-1960s there were plans to create a B.V. Players’ House and ‘Wigwam Palace’ for performances by the Club as well as other cultural organizations; however, these never came to fruition. The club folded in 1968, but was reinstated by Ray Garford in 1974, giving its first performance on October 12th of that year. This second incarnation of the club dissolved when Garford left Smithers in 1975. The Club was again revitalized in 1984 and, based on mentions in the Interior News, seems to have lasted until the early 2000s.
Scope and Content
Fonds contains programs, an expenses ledger, a workshop booklet, bylaws and constitution relating to the Bulkley Valley Players Club, as well as two architectural drawings showing a proposed cultural space to be used for performances by members of the Club. The fonds is divided into three series: Administrative, Ephemera, and Architectural Drawings.
Series contains items used and created by the administration of the Bulkley Valley Players Club in the course of managing the organization. This includes the club’s bylaws and constitution from 1962, an accounts ledger covering the period of 1959 to 1960, and a registration booklet from 1960 listin…
Series contains items used and created by the administration of the Bulkley Valley Players Club in the course of managing the organization. This includes the club’s bylaws and constitution from 1962, an accounts ledger covering the period of 1959 to 1960, and a registration booklet from 1960 listing the participants of various drama workshops.
Series contains proposed designs for a cultural space (B.V. Players’ House and “Wigwam Palace”) to be used for performances by the Bulkley Valley Players Club before a proper theatre could be built. The space was designed to be big enough to accommodate other cultural organizations. If built, the b…
Series contains proposed designs for a cultural space (B.V. Players’ House and “Wigwam Palace”) to be used for performances by the Bulkley Valley Players Club before a proper theatre could be built. The space was designed to be big enough to accommodate other cultural organizations. If built, the building would have been erected on the Lunan Farm fields, alongside Viewmount Road in Smithers.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace", written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Sam Payne. This production was the final project of a five-week drama workshop run in conjunction with U.B.C.; Sam Payne was U.B.C.'s Field Drama Supervisor and conducted the workshop via the university's Extension Services. Starring Elvira Harding, Peter Clegg, Russell Mills, Bill Rodgers, Harry Carnie, Hilary Wearne, Gale Sykora, Al Beach, Mickey McKay, Dave Simons, Ted DeHaan, Joe Reuter, Ed Wagner, and Tadek Then. The play ran at Smithers High School on May 19th and 20th, 1961.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of Blithe Spirit, written by Noel Coward and directed by Priscilla Young. Starring Gerry Collins, Marjory Then, Dave Simons, Robert Jeffery, Marian Knoerr, Elvira Harding, and Iris Mahood. The play ran at Smithers High School on April 24 and 25, 1959. This was the club's first production after its formation.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Bus Stop", written by William Inge and directed by Derek McCooey. Starring Wanda Then, Iris Mahood, Obie Helps, Gerry Collins, Al Beach, Dick Maywood, Peter Clegg, and Al Webb. Performed at Smithers High Schoolon May 10 and 11, 1963.
Series includes programs from shows put on from 1959-1967 by the Bulkley Valley Players. Titles include Sailor Beware!, Blithe Spirit, Book Lovers, Christmas Time, Papa is All, The Faltering Word, The Copper Kettle, Dearie You’re A Dreamer, Arsenic and Old Lace, Flare Path, Miranda, Bus Stop, Littl…
Series includes programs from shows put on from 1959-1967 by the Bulkley Valley Players. Titles include Sailor Beware!, Blithe Spirit, Book Lovers, Christmas Time, Papa is All, The Faltering Word, The Copper Kettle, Dearie You’re A Dreamer, Arsenic and Old Lace, Flare Path, Miranda, Bus Stop, Little Nell, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Rescue of St. Nick, and Sir Slob and the Princess.
March 2017: Prince Rupert Daily News, April 27, 1964 (Vol 54, N0. 8) removed as Prince Rupert Archives has a comprehensive digitized collection of this publication. Newspaper included an article on the BV Players winnipeg festival praise on the third page.
Program for the Telkwa Kinsmen and BV Players Clubs' joint production of "Flare Path", written by Terence Rattigan and directed by Jock Meiklem. Starring Gerry Collins, Lee Curley, Marjory Then, Peter Clegg, Bill Kruisselbrink, Tom Dunlop, Dave Simons, Betty Meiklem, Josie Ross, and Ed Wagner. Performed November 10 and 11, 1961.
Program for a winter showcase by the BV Players Club and local high school students. Included the one-act plays "Book Lovers" directed by Rosa Havard and Stephanie Harding, and "Christmas Time" directed by Hilda Robertson.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Little Nell", written by John Nash and directed by Derek McCooey, featuring Al Beach as Master of Ceremonies. Starring Gerry Collins, Russell Mills, Iris Mahood, Tadek Then, and Peter Clegg. Performed in the Smithers High School Auditorium.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Miranda", written by Peter Blackmore and directed by Sydney Risk (with assistance from Jock Meiklem.) This production was the main project of a five-week theater workshop run in conjunction with U.B.C. Starring Josie Ross, Betty Meiklem, Marjory Then, Dave Simons, Al Beach, Gerry Collins, Elvira Harding, and Peter Clegg. The play ran at Smithers High School on March 23 and 24, 1962.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Papa is All' written by Patterson Greene and directed by Elvira Harding. Starring Rosa Havard, Ted DeHaan, Joe Reuter, Gale Sykora, Gerry Collins, and Tadek Then. Performed at Smitehrs High School on November 25 and 26, 1960.
Program for the P.T.A. Drama Festival. Telkwa players performed "The Flattering Word" directed by Mrs. G. Collins, Smithers players performed "The Copper Kettle" directed by Vesta Rennison, and Quick players performed "Dearie You're A Dreamer" directed by Jack Meiklem. Plays were adjudicated by Robert M. Block, Director of Recreational and Adult Education in Kitimat. The program includes information about a five-week drama workshop from April 16 - May 20, 1961 conducted by Sam Payne of U.B.C.'s theater department.
Program for the Bulkley Valley Players Club's production of "Sailor Beware", created by Phillip King and Falkland Cary, directed by Jock Meiklem. Starring Elvira Harding, Kathy May, Betty Meiklem, Mike Symons, Gary Rysavy, Peter Clegg, Pat Sturgess, Elaine Thickett, and Finn Mollerup. The play ran in the Smithers Secondary School auditorium from March 31 - April 1st, 1967.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "Sir Slob & The Princess", written by George Garrett and directed by Tadek Then. Starring Kathy Symons, S. Thomas, Bernie Powers, Joyce Connolly, Carol Then, Olza Then, Mike Symons, Elvira Harding, Edna Dieter, Peter Capewell, Senga harding, Barry Downey, and Robbin Jefferies. Performed at Smithers Secondary School on December 22 and 23, 1967.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "The Emperor's New Clothes", written by Charlotte Chorpenning and directed by Tadek Then. Starring Joan Quast, Gordon Collison, Fidelma Costello, Trudy Adomeit, Gayle Morris, Anita Dwyer, Jan Then, Carol Barter, Bob Fairfield, Peter Clegg, Margit Carder, Michael Pringle, Olza Then, Ian Rutherford, Finn Mollerup, Marjory Then.
Program for the BV Players Club's production of "The Rescue of St. Nick", written by Brownie Brace and directed by Tadek Then. Starring Elaine Thickett, Pat Sturgess, Finn Mollerup, Beth Green, Allan Markle, John Lapadat, Margaret Anne Macdonald, Pat Bullock, Gary Rysavy, Mike Simons, Kathy May, Elvira Harding, Mike Loughlin. Performed at Smithers Secondary School on December 16 and 17, 1966, featuring intermission performances from the Smithers Majorettes.
Item is a proposed design for a cultural space to be used for performances by the Bulkley Valley Players Club while a proper theatre would be built. The space was designed to big enough to accomodate other cultural organizations. If built, the building would have been erected on the Lunan Farm fiel…
Item is a proposed design for a cultural space to be used for performances by the Bulkley Valley Players Club while a proper theatre would be built. The space was designed to big enough to accomodate other cultural organizations. If built, the building would have been erected on the Lunan Farm fields, alongside Viewmount Road, Smithers, B.C.
Item is a proposed design for a cultural space with a majority of space to be used as a theatre for the Bulkley Valley Players Club. The space was designed to big enough to accomodate a library or museum, a cafe, and guest rooms. If built, the building would have been erected on the Lunan Farm fiel…
Item is a proposed design for a cultural space with a majority of space to be used as a theatre for the Bulkley Valley Players Club. The space was designed to big enough to accomodate a library or museum, a cafe, and guest rooms. If built, the building would have been erected on the Lunan Farm fields, alongside Viewmount Road, Smithers, B.C.
