Bank Theatre ready to entertain in near future

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — The Bank Theatre is poised to entertain the community, once they get the green light.

With their Annual General Meeting last week, the Board of Directors is set for the next year, with returning President Corey Robertson once again at the helm.

“We have five plays ready to go,” said Robertson last week. “We’re looking forward to presenting these productions when we are allowed to do so.”

First, the local theatre group has plans for their Spirit Walks in Point Pelee National Park, which are expected to begin this summer, once provincial guidelines permit.

The Spirit Walks, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Leamington, will take patrons on a guided tour of some of Point Pelee’s famous trails, with actors portraying real people from Point Pelee’s past.

Robertson says they are looking forward to the utilizing the vast stage of Point Pelee’s wilderness.

“We’ve had a real nice response from the acting community,” he said. “We will absolutely follow the guidelines put forth by health officials.”

Among other plans The Bank Theatre has to offer in upcoming months, is a variety show planned for a grand reopening, complete with musicians, duelling pianos, circus performers and a barbershop quartet.

COREY ROBERTSON

“It will have something for everyone,” Robertson says.

The variety show will be held virtually to begin.

A live performance will be held once they are allowed to have a full house inside the theatre.

That will lead up to the fall productions with hopes to present The Fly Fisherman’s Companion, followed by Waiting for the Parade, A Christmas Story, The Odd Couple and Five Alarm — not necessarily in that order.

In addition, they’ve also announced a new Leamington Arts Pass, coming in September, in partnership with the Leamington Arts Centre. The pass will include admission to all Arts Centre galleries in 2022, plus 10 percent off art supplies, plus all four Sun Parlour Player productions at the theatre in 2022.

“The LAC is extremely happy to be partnering with the Bank Theatre to offer a joint membership. It’s something we’ve needed for a while now to help grow and solidify the arts this region,” said Art Centre Curator Chad Riley.

Robertson is thrilled with the partnership as well.

This will make a difference to regional arts tourism,” he said. “The economic spinoff for local restaurants, bars, retail and hotels will be great.”

The future looks bright with two new members joining the board of directors. Along with Robertson’s position, Roger Hewett is Vice President, Katherine Albuquerque is treasurer, Cher Smith is secretary. Other board members are Renata Solski, Denis Bastarache, Scott Berry, Michael Hale, and Paul Merdeiros, with John Hammond as the representative from the municipality.

This group will be responsible for taking The Bank Theatre through their re-emergence as Leamington’s premier live entertainment source.

It’s something that Corey Robertson is keenly looking forward to.

“The show must go on,” he said.