How it all began…
November of 1912 was an exciting time for those in town when Cardston’s progressive and wealthy Mark Spencer built a large modern show house where the Carriage House Theatre now stands. This theatre would be called the “New Palace Theatre” and would change hands many times before being bought by the Brewerton Brothers in 1927. It continued under that name until February of 1937, when the theatre reopened after a major renovation along with a name change from “The Palace Theatre” to “The MayFair Theatre”. Sixty years later, on the 14th of February 1992, the latest incarnation of the Mayfair opened to the public. Two years effort and over a million dollars were expended to create the new facility, now known as the “Carriage House Theatre”. This old theatre building is now again usable and viable for both movies and live theatre productions. The Carriage House Theatre Foundation has assisted in making it functional. Through countless hours of volunteer work and through thousands of dollars worth of donated services, materials, and equipment, coupled with government dollars, the non-profit foundation has accomplished a great deal. People from all over the world have now visited the theatre to attend live theatre productions and the quality of family and community life within our region has been enriched with the ‘good family’ entertainment that is offered by the Foundation. We are very proud of the state of the art facility which it has become to us and thank all those who have been a part of its success.
Sitting down close to the front - in row C, seats 15 and 16, you are very likely to see an amiable white haired couple greeting and talking jovially with fellow audience members and theatre enthusiasts. They are Carriage House Theatre founders, Bob and Blanche Russell, and they have occupied those same seats for 25 years – since the day the theatre officially opened with the production of Li’l Abner in 1990.
High school sweethearts, turned newlyweds in the spring of 1953, Bob and Blanche settled in Cardston with their young family after Bob completed his MD designation and was accepted into the local medical clinic. Both worked long and sometimes hard hours establishing themselves and their children into the small agrarian community they had chosen as home. Except for a brief 3-year hiatus while Dr. Russell completed his Obstetrical training in Vancouver, the couple has been an active and integral part of their vibrant community.
Notwithstanding the many demands of raising six energetic children, Blanche found time to serve on festival committees, church auxiliaries, and to always be an exemplary neighbour and friend as she served those around her. Bob’s practice kept him going day and night as he attended the near 10,0000 births of his career (if you were born locally, he was very likely the face who welcomed you to the world!). Bob still found time, however, to volunteer with the Rotary Club, on the local school board, the town council, and in various religious callings.
Bob and Blanche have never been performers themselves, but have always been devoted and enthusiastic supporters of the performing arts. They have sought out and embraced many opportunities to partake of the arts and, with a special fondness for musical theatre, were inspired to create a venue which would promote musical theatre in their community. They purchased the old run-down theatre and, after extensive building renovations, established a place where musical theatre could live and thrive. Housing what is now known as the Carriage House Theatre Foundation, the Carriage House Theatre has been a gathering place for young and old alike to develop talents and engage in artistic expression. Artists have come from many locations to hone and explore their talents here, while audience members have flocked to appreciate and delight in the realization of that talent. As you will witness tonight, magic happens under the lights of the Carriage House Theatre; and Bob and Blanche will be basking in the knowledge that you were able to experience it right along with them. The dreamed a dream...and it is still coming true.