The Sunset Theatre is located in the picturesque and remote setting of Wells BC, an old Gold Mining town in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains. Built originally in 1934, the Sunset Theatre showed movies, held town hall meetings and dances and was once used as a morgue during the 1950's.

2008 marked our third summer of programming and despite the downturn in the economy resulting in lower tourist numbers, the Sunset Theatre had its most successful season yet. This is entirely due to the dedication and talent of the artists who venture to the Sunset. Without them there would be no purpose. So thank you for a tremendous year.

This webpage was last updated on March 26, 2011.

Sunset Theatre Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Curtain Rises on a new Era for the Sunset Theatre...

“The time has come the walrus said...oops, wrong play, but indeed, the time has come!”

It is with great excitement and a whole lot of admiration (and a little bit of sentiment) that the Sunset Theatre raises its curtain on a new era! After careful consideration and long, heartfelt deliberation, I have decided that it’s time to pass the baton over to loving hands. Funny, this was not an easy decision, and one that I never imagined I would make, but “poof” – one day an image of Julia Mackey and Dirk Van Stralen came into my head and I knew.

I knew I had taken the theatre as far as I could. The Theatre needs and deserves a renewed sense of energy and vision and support. A set of new eyes, a seasoned burst of creativity and the lightness of a new heart! I have always wanted the theatre to be a place of excellence, but also a place where artists can come and find their own voice; that voice that is pure in its intent to tell a story or convey an emotion that is without censor, apology or seeking approval from friend, family or colleague. To create an environment where that pure voice has the support and freedom to come to life is at the core of the theatre, and I believe we are well on our way there, but more is needed.

I am delighted and honoured that Julia Mackey and Dirk Van Stralen not only heeded my prayer, but – in a way – answered one of theirs. Julia and Dirk have been seeking an actual physical place from which to develop and nuture their own creations.Now a multi-award winning playwright, actress Julia Mackey epitomizes what the Sunset Theatre is all about: a place to foster the creation of new work.

“We feel honoured that Karen Jeffery has asked us to take care of the Sunset, and we are really looking forward to returning to a community we already feel very much a part of. Returning to Wells for me is always like seeing an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, but you know the conversation will just pick up as if no time has passed between you.” says Julia Mackey, writer and performer of Jake’s Gift. “Being back at the Sunset is a most fitting full-circle for us, as the theatre was the host to the very first workshop production of Jake’s Gift. I’ve said many times that Jake’s Gift might never have been written if Karen Jeffery (nee Planden) hadn’t given me that August 2006 deadline.”

The Sunset Theatre was host to the birthing of Jake’s Gift, which began as part of an invitational challenge to create a play in the summer of 2006, our first mini retreat! That first Exploration Series workshop produced Jake’s Gift, which has been nothing short of a full-fledged theatrical success story; by the time the curtain rises on the 2011 summer, Jake’s Gift will have celebrated its 450th performance, touching over 75,000 people from coast to coast to coast, garnering rave reviews and standing ovations where ever it’s played. Julia Mackey embodies the kind of spirit, creativity and excellence that the Sunset Theatre endevours to imbue.

I will still be involved at the board level, and wherever I can be of use to support to Julia and Dirk as they take over the reins. There is great excitement afoot. It feels like the old days of Vaudeville, when someone says: “Hey – I have a Barn! Let’s do a show!”

In this case I get to say: “Hey, I have a theatre – wanna come play?” After all, that’s what it’s all about! While a more detailed season’s announcement will be released soon, there is a lot to look forward to this summer.

Some of the season highlights will include a run of Tuesday’s with Morrie with Antony Holland, veteran Canadian Actor and respected founder of Studio 58, in the Title Role and featuring Dirk Van Stralen, as “Mitch”. . Dirk is the director of Jake’s Gift and partner to Julia Mackey. Van Stralen also has a successful career of his own as professional actor, illustrator, cartoonist, and he spent four seasons out in Barkerville doing historical interpretation.

Jake’s Gift will, of course, make its way back to the theatre along with the infamous Sunset Cabaret, the Fred Wells Show, and the Teen and Youth Drama Camp which will run two weeks this year for two separate age groups led by Dave Jeffery a well respected former Calgary High School Drama teacher and Bas Rynsewyn of Serious Moonlight Productions from Prince George.

Among this summer’s highlights is an appearance or two by Kaliban, written and performed by Andrew Hamilton.

Visual artist Laurie Landry will be with her gallery Cartier & Bailey gracing the lobby of the Sunset for the summer. Also, our chair campaign continues. We’ve only 27 more seats to refurbish before the Sunset seating is restored to its former glory. For a one hundred dollar donation, an historic 1930s theatre chair will receive a loving restoration, and the donors name and generosity will forever be immortalized in brass.

A place to create theatre is still at the heart of the Sunset, with two artists retreats lined up, along with a possible winter season. And, if you put your ear really close to the ground, you may hear the rumblings of a “Binge Festival” – a shortened, more intoxicating, type of theatrical feast!

The Sunset Theatre – where people come to play!!!

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Anyone interested in programming, retreats, rentals and general inquires is welcome email: sunsettheatre@gmail.com and they will be forwarded to the appropriate person, place or thing!