Skip to content

Historical painting returns to its rightful place (11 photos)

The Guelph Little Theatre launches its 2018 season with the opening of a new stage and the unveiling of an old painting of one of its most celebrated actors

A painting of award-winning Guelph actress Phylis Dodson now hangs in the lobby at Guelph Little Theatre more than half a century after her husband painted it.

“My father was an amateur painter and did some beautiful paintings in oil,” said Robin Dodson. “He painted a picture of my mother in full costume on the set of The Broken Jug.”

The Broken Jug, by Canadian playwright, Don Harron, was the inaugural production of the newly opened Guelph Little Theatre in 1967. The painting captures Phylis Dodson in her role as Jessie in the play.

“My parents were active participants in Guelph Little Theatre back in the later 50s and throughout the 60s,” said Dodson. “In 1967 the theatre produced The Broken Jug and took it to the Western Ontario Drama Festival and the Dominion Drama Festival.

It won awards at the Western Ontario Drama Festival and my mom won for best actress.”

The painting hung in his parents’ home for more than 30 years.

“My father passed away in 1999 and my mother in 2004,” said Dodson. “At that time it went to my older brother who lives in the United States.”

Dodson said that the theatre and especially the Guelph Little Theatre played a significant role in his family’s life.

“My parents met in London, England on the stage so, I owe the theatre a lot because if it wasn’t for the theatre I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I kind of grew up with Guelph Little Theatre going to rehearsals and the like. It is a pretty special story.”

Last year Dodson contacted GLT archives manager Robin Jackson and arranged to donate the painting to the Guelph Little Theatre.

“My brothers and I always felt that this is where it should be,” said Dodson. “This is its home. It is part of the history of the theatre and we were very happy when the theatre agreed to display it.”

Dodson and his partner Anne McKenzie drove to Tucson, Arizona to get the painting and were in attendance Wednesday evening for the official unveiling.

“Hi Mom,” said Dodson as he and Guelph Little Theatre president Roberta Belfry lifted the red veil from the painting. “I keep telling people that by bringing this painting here and donating it to Guelph Little Theatre, Jessie is coming home.”

Retired high school drama teacher, director and lifetime Guelph Little Theatre member Dennis Johnson shared a number of stories about the theatre’s first production of The Broken Jug and his experience directing the second production.

“It was done in January 1967 to inaugurate a brand new theatre on the corner of Paisley and Dublin Street, which, in fact, was the old Salvation Army citadel,” said Johnson. “It had a fire 20-some years later and had to be replaced. So, in 1997, exactly 30 years after the first Guelph Little Theatre was opened a new one was opened and this is it. Both theatres were opened with the same play.”

He said a stellar cast joined Phylis Dodson in the first production of The Broken Jug that toured to Newfoundland.

“It was directed by Kay McKie and starred a number of well-known local celebrities including Terry Doyle and John Snowden,” said Johnson. “It went on to win the Western Ontario Drama Festival and went all the way to the national finals of the Dominion Drama Festival and won the best production of an English language play. That was definitely the highpoint of Guelph Little Theatre’s history thus far and a great shot in the arm for a company that had just moved into its very first theatre that they actually owned.”

The event Wednesday evening also saw the launch of the new Corner Stage at the Guelph Little Theatre and a silent auction to raise funds to modernize the theatre’s box office.

The Guelph Little Theatre’s first play of 2018, Gloria’s Guy, premiers on the large stage next Friday, Jan. 26.

“This new stage is here because of a grant from the City and we are so thankful for it,” said Guelph Little Theatre president Roberta Belfry. “We don’t know exactly what is going to happen but we want to open it up to the city and say come. Bring your ideas. Bring your creativity. We would love to be a part of that.”

Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Troy Bridgeman

About the Author: Troy Bridgeman

Troy Bridgeman is a multi-media journalist that has lived and worked in the Guelph community his whole life. He has covered news and events in the city for more than two decades.
Read more