All the World's a Stage: Windsor Theatre (1971-2014)

Windsor Theatre (1971-2014)

With the opening of the Ralph Pickard Bell Library in 1970, the former Memorial Library became available for alternative use. The building was renovated to provide accommodation for student activities and services, and part of the plan called for the creation of a small theatre. In gratitude for the Windsor Foundation’s $200,000 donation toward renovations, the new theatre was named Windsor Theatre. Renovations, including the construction of the theatre, were substantially completed and the building reopened by early 1971. The first play in Windsor Theatre was Ubu Roi, written by Alfred Jarry, produced and directed by Liliane Welch and Tim Wiles, and presented on 26 March 1971.

For the next four years dramatic activity on campus was sporadic. The theatre was used occasionally by the Mount Allison Players Society, by Professor Alex Fancy who mounted one play in French per year with his French students, or by anyone who happened to take an interest. For the most part there appeared to be no systematic plan for the development of drama at Mount Allison, nor the leadership to spearhead such a movement.

In 1975, the situation improved and the leadership necessary to mold a coherent theatrical structure at Mount Allison came forward. Professor Arthur Motyer of the English department accepted an appointment as director of drama in July 1975. Funding was provided to hire a full-time administrative manager for the theatre, and to redesign and renovate the theatre itself. During the summer of 1975 the production area was organized and made more versatile. New lighting equipment was installed. Two dressing rooms and a workshop were built and adjacent space was claimed for the storage of props and materials. At this time the Mount Allison Players Society ceased operations and subsequent plays were Windsor Theatre productions. Thus the term Windsor Theatre evolved to encompass not only the physical space but also the troupe of players who mounted productions there. 

Both the redesign of the space and the establishment of a more permanent theatre company on campus were significant. The new theatre structure allowed for two or three major productions annually, as well as countless short productions that were presented at lunch-time. Major international works, Canadian works, and plays authored by Mount Allison students were presented. Windsor Theatre also had the advantage of professional directors and designers, whereas previous drama societies had operated as student-led initiatives. Gradually drama at Mount Allison grew to be more organized, constant, and professional. This was crucial in the development of the Drama Studies program as well. 

The growth of Windsor Theatre continued until 2014 when the new Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts opened a theatre space aptly named the Motyer-Fancy Theatre.

Productions

For a chronological list of productions, please consult the following source:

Set and Costume Designs

Below you will find a selection of set and costume designs created by Decima Mitchell for Windsor Theatre. Use the arrows on each side of the image to navigate the collection.

You can find additional information about Windsor Theatre, as well as more photographs, on our Descriptions Database. The Drama Studies database is another rich resource for those interested in learning more.