Theatre Royal Angels 2010
Become a theatre patron and supporter!

It was not only the miners of Williams Creek who had Angels. Newman & Wright Theatre Co. has angels who, through financial and in-kind support, make our productions possible. The Theatre Royal and Newman & Wright now operate with no government subsidies or grants.

Angels for the 2010 season are:

Richard Wright Jr., Executive Producer for Newman & Wright

Newman Family Productions of Salt Spring Island for the donation of costumes

Duncan Bell Estate for the donation of costumes and props

Anne and Steve Oliver for financial support

Sue Morhun for financial support

Seeking support for 2010 Projects

In 2010 we have found that we have to put an increased emphasis on replacing and rebuilding our lighting system from top to bottom. Our instruments are old, very old, which is causing internal arcing that burns out $30 bulbs at a fast rate (some only last one week). Our 24-channel lighting board began sending false and random signals to the dimmer pack last year. This problem has increased this year. A total replacement would cost in the neighbourhood of $40,000. We feel we can rebuild and improve the system for $10,000. We have begun replacing instrument parts as donations trickle in at the door. With a donation from the Olivers we are going to replace our ageing Follow Spot, which is so old replacement lamps can only be ordered out of Japan.

While these costs are part of the Barkerville Heritage Trust’s budget responsibility they too are strapped for cash, so we are doing what fund raising we can to assist.

Any donations toward these costs will be appreciated.

Investment needed for Production and Show development

As productions costs increase and we get more talented crew and more sophisticated sets we find that revenues are not meeting costs. To continue moving forward and meet expenses we are seeking outside support. We are looking for sponsors and supporters to help underwrite the costs of shows. Supporters will receive acknowledgement in our program and will be credited with being the sponsors of specific shows. Further recognition can be discussed.

The costs we have budgeted for shows do not include ongoing salary costs but simply the cost of getting the shows to a production point.

Drama or book show such as “The Unquiet Grave” - $8000
“Gold Rush Revue” Variety show - $6000
“An Evening of British Music Hall" - $4000
One person shows such as “Bride of Barkerville” or “Just another Cariboo Day” - $3000

For more information on these projects please contact Richard Wright or Amy Newman. Contact information is below.

Spring tours

In the spring of 2007, 2008, and 2009 Newman & Wright toured a Gold Rush Musical variety show around the province. We presented shows from Campbell River to Terrace, from Hope to Hudson’s Hope, from Dawson Creek to Westwold. We played to thousands of people and traveled close to 50,000 kilometers. These tours were funded in part by Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and Barkerville Heritage Trust. In 2008 we also had a cast on the road for the summer, funded by New Pathways to Gold Society. These tours greatly increased the profile of Barkerville specifically and the Cariboo in general. At the Theatre Royal we had many people say, “we saw you in Pritchard,” or, “when can you come back to Clearwater”.
Unfortunately due to a halt in funding we were not able to tour in 2010, and we feel we are seeing a drop in Barkerville visitation as a result.
At present we have no plans for further tours unless funding can be found.
For a one-month tour we need approximately $40,000 in funding over the revenue we can raise at various theatres. The reality is that small towns cannot afford the ticket price we have to charge for a 7-person tour.

Major expenses and tour costs that need funding include:
Fuel, accommodation, meals, vehicle expenses and rental, costumes and equipment rental.
Should your corporation be able to fund any or all of these costs please contact us. Tax-deductible receipts can be arranged.

Previous projects

In 2006, Newman & Wright at the Theatre Royal began a Capital Upkeep Fund. Financial or in-kind donations to this fund go directly to the upkeep of the Theatre. In 2006/2007 the stage lighting was ungraded to a digital system and all the benches were reupholstered. By the end of the season we had raised enough funds to help with the exterior painting of the theatre.

 In 2007 we redecorated the balcony, adding plush theatre-style seating. We added a cyclorama to the stage with the assistance of Angels Anne and Steve Oliver and Victor Scott and assisted Barkerville Heritage Trust in the purchase of a new piano.

In 2008 we added many props, set pieces and new backdrops assisted by donations of many items from the Duncan Bell estate. New Pathways to Gold Society support allowed us to have a summer-long tour of the province, promoting Barkerville and the Gold Rush Trail. This also assisted in purchasing touring lights and sound equipment, developing our Wells rehearsal hall and leasing a scene shop and storage areas, all were used for our 2008 and 2009 Spring Tours.

In 2009 we added more backdrops with the assistance of Angel Stan Hack. A stage manager’s workspace was added on stage left and this increased our storage areas. We are now working to upgrade the lighting system, refinish the main floor, replace the stage deck (before we fall through it) and rebuild the belfry catwalk.

For more information on becoming an Angel or Supporter or contributing to the Theatre Royal Capital Upkeep Fund please contact the producer or our Front of House staff, Phone: 1–888–994-3225, or
contact Richard Wright wright@theatreroyal.ca, 250-994-3340, or
Amy Newman at newman@theatreroyal.ca.