Palace Theatre
710 Dundas St. N5W 2Z4 London, ON, Canada

"You know, a community without arts and culture is a community without a soul and we’ll help bring our community back to real life . . . We’ll be ready with our hearts open to celebrate together next year. (Alfredo Caxaj, founder and artistic director of TD Sunfest Canada.) Alfredo’s words speak so well for all of us. Thank you The London Free Press and Joe Belanger for this article. #ldnont #artsandculture #theatre #palacetheatre #giving #christmas

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Palace Theatre Arts Commons, as we head into the festive season, I would like to wish the happiest of holidays to our theatre community- volunteers, staff, patrons and donors. We are sending our best wishes your way, along with wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year. We are optimistic that 2021 will see the reopening of all our programs - London Community Players, Fringe, LYTE and New Stage. We look forward to seeing you all again... soon. Sincerely, Kelli Gough Chair, PTAC Board of Directors.

On Giving Tuesday, we express our deep gratitude for your continued support of PTAC and our recovery efforts. We believe, if we stand together, we will weather the COVID storm and find our way back to live performances. To make a #GivingTuesday gift, visit our donation page: https://mytickets.palacetheatre.ca/Donate.asp

The 1st Annual General Meeting of Palace Theatre Arts Commons was held on Monday, November 23, 2020 over ZOOM. Thank you to all who braved the technology to attend (with or without their glass of wine.) The Board of Directors slate was approved and we are pleased to announce the 2020-21 Board members: Diana Barr, Andre Cormier, Josh Elijah, Dawn Fulmer, Kelli Gough, Jeff Jenken, Anne Mooney, Lynne Ryckman, Kim Spriet, Denis Sykora, Eavan Travers. We wish them all the best in... the coming year as we struggle to overcome the impacts of COVID. A special thank you to the board members who left us this year. Kelli Gough, Board Chair, outlined our current condition and some of the plans for the future. We are exploring grant opportunities; have formed a new fundraising committee; are making plans for next year's Fringe Festival, and are looking ahead to be ready for a time after COVID. The Life Members of LCP have donated money to fund the first show that will be produced with all of the necessary safety precautions in place. This will happen as soon as Public Health guidelines allow. The Life Members got together to honour Frank Hopkins with the Wally Duffield Volunteer award. If you need anything done at the theatre, Frank is always willling. Anne Mooney and Denis Sykora were also honoured with Life Memberships for their stellar, ongoing commitment to the group. Thank you so much for all that you do. You can read more about the AGM and the Honourees here: http://www.palacetheatre.ca/whatsnew

https://www.cbc.ca///palace-theatre-costume-sale-1.5796083

"Dancing in Poppies" written by Gail Bowen & Ron Marken was part of the 2017-18 LCP season. Cast and crew came together to tell the story of two injured soldiers returning from the First World War, the young nurse who cared for them during their convalescence and the love and friendship that would help them find their place in a dramatically changed world. Director, Susan Garner said in researching for the play, "we learned mortality rates and the effects of PTSD on a genera...tion. She reflected on the significance and importance of directing this play at this point in time: Directing in this decade at the Palace made clear to me that we understand less and less of those sacrifices as the dates recede in history. Lest we forget." Marg Bildy, head of Wardrobe, recalls how being part of the show was both a joy and at times, heart-wrenching. The young men in the play reminded her of her own grandfather who served in three wars; "Granda had things he simply wouldn’t talk about. We saw that same struggle depicted in the show." Props volunteer, Diana Barr recalls the crew’s efforts to pay keen attention to even the smallest of details throughout the creative process. "It was important that our props be authentic and historically accurate so as to capture the post war era right down to the paper wrapped, heavily battered fish and chips, old books or bleak newspaper headlines. The story, the set, costumes and actors pulled you into this moment in timean amazing emotional journey performed on our stage." Marg Bildy echoed that, saying they knew it was important to have the costume details just right. "The play takes place just after the war has ended when money was scarce and items were hard to acquire. The red dress was a significant detail in the play. Right down to the Eaton’s box it arrives in. Dancing in that dress, the character becomes a symbol of joy and hope for the future. "Dancing in Poppies received Brickenden nominations for Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Set Design. On Remembrance Day, we share this look back at a play that made us stop and reflect. Congratulations to all who were involved in this production and thank you to all who have sacrificed their safety and lives for our rights and freedoms. Photo credits: Ross Davidson

Today, we are asked to stay home as we honour those who served in the military and those who continue to serve our country. Watch the National Remembrance Day ceremony on Facebook Live. Pause at 11 a.m. to remember.

The Palace Theatre Arts Commons (PTAC) may currently be closed, but its volunteer Board of Directors and several key volunteers are working to meet the day-to-day needs of the theatre and to develop a solid plan for recovery from the effects of COVID-19. PTAC is fully committed to bringing all of our programs back to the stage LYTE, New Stage, Fringe and LCP. Yes, we have been quiet, but we have also been working behind the scenes to find safe, sustainable ways to deliver on that plan. We promise to keep you informed when we have more news to share. Until then, thank you for your patience and support as we move through this next phase of recovery and look forward, with great hope, to a return to live performances in 2021.

As we prepare to honour those who served and those who are currently serving our country on Remembrance day, we take a look back at some LCP shows that told the stories of wartime in Canada. Part of the 2012-13 season, "Waiting for the Parade" by John Murrell, told the story of five Canadian women and the struggles they faced while waiting for their husbands to return from WWII. Director, Susan Garner says "Working on this show deepened my understanding of the realities and... effects of wartime. Their resiliency and difficult choices are something beyond our experiences." #lestweforget2020 #waitingfortheparade Photo credit: Ross Davidson

To our valued Community - our sincere apologies.

Last weeks we presented some of LCP'S Main Stage musicals, tonight we would like to honour some recent LYTE (London Youth Theatre Education) musicals. It has been such a joy to have these incredibly talented youth on our stage. LYTE presents.....

Congratulations Tanner!