In the fall of 1999, the much-anticipated Townshend Theatre opened to the public.
“Theatre rings with applause at grand opening. People gave high praise for support” read the headline as . . . “Natalie MacMaster received the first standing ovations in the facility.” (Fort Frances Times Sept. 22, 1999).
It was almost 50 years earlier that the J.A. Mathieu Auditorium opened as the prime location to enjoy the theatrical arts. The Fort Frances Board of Education, in recognition of Mathieu’s interest in education, named the Fort Frances High School auditorium built in 1952 after him.
The east wing of the Fort Frances High School was rebuilt after being destroyed in the fire of 1950. At that time, the auditorium was named in honour of J.A. Mathieu, who had laid the cornerstone for the addition.
The central feature of the 1952 addition to the Fort Frances High School was the large gymnasium-auditorium, a versatile room which . . . could accommodate an audience of about 800 persons viewing events presented on the roomy stage.
Probably the earliest theatre stage was built in the original town hall building. Known as an opera house, the theatre occupied the top floor. The site was the scene of many popular plays, including those by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Competition eventually led to the demise of the opera house when the Rainy Lake Hotel opened its ballroom in 1929, and the original Memorial Arena built at the corner of Scott and Portage as a memorial to men who gave their lives in World War I opened in 1921.
The Rainy Lake Hotel ballroom provided at terrazzo floor, textured plastered walls, checkroom, and stage with all the accessories.
Even when construction on the new Memorial Arena began in 1949, “the need for a large auditorium as planned . . . was demonstrated . . . when an overflow crowd jammed the town hall auditorium.” (Fort Frances Times and Rainy Lake Herald, Jan. 27, 1949).
If you have any memories of attending or performing at one of our theatres, submit your story to the Centennial Community Scrap Book.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
