Page 7 - GHS Pres
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A Historical Glimpse at the Past of the Gravenhurst Opera
House
officially opened on March 12th, 1901 with the performance, "Days of
the Year". The Opera House, referred to by many as Mickle's Folly, after
staunch supporter and then Mayor Charles Mickle, for what seemed like
a lavish dream for a town of its size. However, this historic gem has
survived one depression, two world wars, weathered many a storm and
the indignity of a wrecking ball. "So how is Mickle's Folly progressing?“
Come in for a show and be a part of the experience
In 1934, John Holden, a Toronto actor with a dream of reviving summer stock theatre in
Canada, brought his Good Companions Theatre Company to the Gravenhurst Opera
House. For eight consecutive summers, from 1948 through l955, the Straw Hat Players
performed 63 different productions at the Opera House. Alumni included many of Canada's
most talented performers, including Kate Reid, Ted Follows, Charmion King, Barbara
Hamilton, Araby Lockhart and Donald Sutherland. Summer Theatre continued with the long
running Muskoka Festival from 1972 until the fall of 1995 and returned in 2014 with the
celebration of the 80th season of summer theatre in Muskoka! Today, The Opera House still
enjoys, many performances, dance recitals and events of all kinds.
Faces of the Opera House: (from left to right: Charmion King, Kate Reid & Donald Sutherland)
