Now & Then

by Randy Read

Performing Arts History

Season 1

Now & Then Episode 10 - August 2023

In this episode marking double digits for the podcast, we are going to be talking with our historian Ian about some misadventures faced 100 years ago, such as a train crash that caused the delay of a film reel in 1923 and how special effects were incorporated in silent films. We are also going to talk with him about how he got involved with the theatre and his journeys as a local historian. We also have a new guest, Jessie Kennedy, who had a big part in creating the book "Front Row Centre", a book on the Flato Academy Theatre and its history. The book was published in 2018 to commemorate the theatre's 125th anniversary. It is a slow month production wise, but that simply means a whole bunch more in the coming month! 0:00 - Intro1:54 - Ian McKechnie Bio5:17- Jessie Kennedy15:35 - Ian McKechnie “The Movie Years”28:40 - Outro

Now & Then Episode 9 - July 2023

On the July episode (Happy Canada Day by the way) we have three new guest stars. We start off with a regular, Claire Imrie, a teacher and actress who was key in creating the Triple Threat Theatre, talking about the upcoming Matilda musical, premiering on July 28th, as well as other productions coming up from Triple Threat. We then have two appearances by my team, Warren Frank and William McGinn. Warren produces the show and puts it together, and William helps upload the episodes and get the word out. We also have Beth Wilson, who directed the Seussical play last year, talking about how another Roald Dahl adaptation, James & The Giant Peach, is coming out soon. We have a fascinating story from Ian D. McKechnie about the times Hi Meehan was the sole manager of the theatre, way back in the 1920s, and how in the 1930s there was a redesign, at the height of the stock market crash when so many lost their income. And finally we have Jim Higgins, a long time friend of mine who operated a country music show at the theatre for TEN WHOLE YEARS. It was called Grand Old Country where he and his friend Danny McDonnell would bring in country music stars on a monthly basis to play and sing. It was so successful, it sold out on its first month, and selling out became a regular thing. 0:00 - Intro 2:46 - Claire Imrie 7:22 - Warren Frank 10:46 - William McGinn 12:56 - Beth Wilson 23:37 - Ian McKechnie 28:51 - Jim Higgins 40:47 - Outro

Now & Then Episode 8 - June 2023

For this nice and hot new month, we’re interviewing a Maestro, and a retired high school Music teacher; David Morrison of the Kawartha Lakes Concert Band, an orchestra of dozens of musical geniuses. The band has a concert at the FLATO Academy Theatre June 24th at 7 p.m.! We’re also reuniting with the Imrie women; Alana, Claire, and Mama Kate, talking with us about what it’s like to program gigs at theatres and dance studios and audition processes. Our historian Ian McKechnie will be bringing us back through time when Dennis Sweeting and Hi Meehan commandeered the theatre, and how they revolutionized how the theatre was seen and how Hi liked to play movies on the big screen there. We also hear from board member Tom Collver, who is one of the founders of the Triple Threat Theatre group to talk about the upcoming Matilda play, and what it’s like being involved in the Academy’s art programs and owning a design agency.0:30 - Intro 0:59 - Academy Schedule 2:25 - David Morrison 6:40 - Imrie Women 18:40 - Iain McCechnie 26:50 - Tom Collver 38:36 - Mary 40:54 - Outro

Now & Then Episode 7 - May 2023

Did you know the theatre almost got turned into a parking lot? How sad would that have been? This episode we're going to be talking with the Academy Theatre Foundation Chair, Michael Piggott, on what it takes to run the century-old building. Did you know it takes about $800-1,000 just to keep it open?!! We also talk about what it was like having the theatre renamed and what it has meant for the building since.We also talk with General Manager Craig Metcalf on what life is like on the job these days, and who they're looking towards booking in the near future.Lastly we're talking for the last time (for now) with the other Randy Read, the one who has toured the world and has spoken with us in past episodes. For this episode, he's revealing why and how he became a casting director and eventual Founding Artistic Director with Peterborough's New Stages Theatre! We will also be discussing auditions for the upcoming Matilda Musical!! You're not going to want to miss out on any of it! 0:00 - Intro 01:56 - Michael Piggott 12:33 - Craig Metcalfe 17:47 - Randy Read 28:51 - Matilda Auditions 31:36 - Outro

Now & Then Episode 6 - April 2023

With this new, exciting episode, we're going to be talking about how the Flato Academy Theatre was once investigated by paranormal seekers. Ghostbusters, if you will, explained by Marion Puffer. We also hear from Linda Thomson, who was once part of a fashion show in the mid-1950's at that theatre when she was a kid. We also get a return from the other Randy Read, who tells us an amazing story of traveling the country as a professional actor, as well as some sad talks about how he hadn't come out yet and was in a world where he had to suppress his identity, and that dishonesty had shown in auditions, but he was able to persevere. In addition, we hear what's happening lately from the manager Craig Metcalf, and we introduce a family who are going to be part of this podcast in the near future! 0:00 - INTRO 02:08 - MARY 04:05 - MARION PUFFER 16:50 - LINDA THOMSON 20:40 - RANDY READ 28:41 - CRAIG METCALF 30:22 - IMRIE FAMILY 38:58 - OUTRO

Now & Then Episode 5 - March 2023

In this episode we have some new guests, both under the name Read. The first is some tunes from my late father Alexander "Ragtime" Read who would've celebrated his 100th birthday this month. And the other is another Randy Read who's the artistic director of the New Stages theatre company in Peterborough. Who would have guessed two people with the same name also love the same industry?!! 00:27 - Intro w Mary 02:55 - Alex Read 05:18 - Doug Tangney Interview 32:19 - Randy Read Interview 41:18 - Ian McKechnie 46:51 - Craig Metcalfe 48: 17 - Mary's Song/Outro

Now & Then Episode 4 - February 2023

Our newest episode has some familiar voices; the theatre’s general manager Craig Metcalf, our historian Ian D. McKechnie and former theatre president Ray Marshall. But that’s far from all! Ian is going to be discussing legendary Lindsay actor and producer Dennis Sweeting. A local who moved here from Calgary and lived from 1915-2000, he was once the president of ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) and the former revee of Lindsay. Also with us is Doug Tangney, a Canadian actor who has been in local theatre for over 40 years. He and Ray have teamed up to discuss their fondest and funniest memories. Also, our dear Mary the Ghost is back, recording out of British Columbia, to sing us a lovely Valentine’s Day song. Which reminds me, Happy Valentine’s Day!! 0:00 Intro 1:47 Craig Metcalf 4:21 Ian McKechnie 10:13 Ray Marshall 34:00 Doug Tangney 37: 49 Mary Song 40:00 Outro

Now & Then Episode 3 - January 2023

This episode has us with Ray Marshall and Jim Brown, two Flato Academy Theatre veterans who have represented the institution for generations! It was incredible talking to them and there’s so much more conversation to be had in the near future with them! TIMECODES 0:00 – Intro/Mary Convo 7:07 – Jim Brown Pt. 1 12:49 – Ray Marshall 30:14 – Jim Brown Pt. 2 41:45 – Upcoming Events 43:30 – Outro

Now & Then Episode 2 - December 2022

For this episode we will be talking to some of our previous guests; Craig Metcalf, Ghost Mary, and Ian McKechnie. In addition, we are talking to Pete Paquette of Paquette Productions, who is bringing his Christmas Spectacular here to Kawartha Lakes soon. We also have Jeff Gutteridge from the band Looking for Heather!!! 0:25 – Introduction 1:57 – Craig Metcalf 6:00 – Jeff Gutteridge 10:27 – Allyssa Adams 16:22 – Ian McKechnie 25:02 – Vaudeville 29:43 – Pete Paquette 34:04 – Outro

Now & Then Episode 1 - November 2022

Uploaded November 1st, 2022 I have a big handful of people who I interviewed for this episode; a local historian, the manager of the Pie Eyed Monk, the manager of the theatre, some of the cast and crew of the upcoming Seussical musical set to take the stage November 25th-27th, and a little someone named Mary the Ghost! BREAKDOWN 0:00 – Introduction 3:05 – Mary the Ghost 6:07 – Ian McKechnie 21:35 – Craig Metcalf 31:48 – Vaudeville 36:16 – Erastus Burley 39:31 – Seussical 43:43 – Outro

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