Amateur Dramatic SocietiesAmateur dramatic societies were active in Copper Cliff. The first play in Copper Cliff was in 1888 at McKinnon's Boarding House. See Places - East Smelter. In June
1892, Baird’s Dramatic Company played at Genno’s Rink Opera House in Copper
Cliff.
In September of 1897 that old favorite play ‘Ten Nights in a Barroom’ was being presented by Leck’s Amateur Dramatic Company. Ten Nights in a Barroom was a play written by William W. Pratt in 1858. The character Joe Morgan, the village drunkard, is encouraged in his boozing and other irresponsible ways by Simon Slade, the evil owner of the Sickle and Sheaf bar. Even the plea of his little daughter, Mary (“Father, dear father, come home”), cannot drag Morgan away for long. In a barroom brawl Mary is accidentally struck by a glass thrown at her father. The shock helps Morgan reform, Slade is killed by his own son, and the village votes to close the saloon. This prohibitionist drama was very popular on rural circuits. George Leck was a leading actor in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. |
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George Ewart Leck was born July 4th, 1863 in Whitehaven, Cleator, Cumberland, England. George’s father William was an iron ore miner in England. From the 1881 Census of Cleator, George, age 17 was also an iron ore miner.
George married Eleanor ‘Lena’ Griffin January 7th, 1886 in Hastings County. George and Eleanor came to Copper Cliff from Westockbridge, Massachusetts and George took a job as shift boss in the mine. From the 1901 Census of McKim Township, Geo Leck, age 37, miner, his wife Lena, age 35 and their children George, age 14, born July 29, 1886 in Pennsylvania; Wilfred E. age 13, Bertha, age 6, Margaret Evelyn , age 4, born in Copper Cliff, Emily, age 1, born in Copper Cliff. Wilfred was 12 years old when he started working for the company as a telephone operator at Copper Cliff. There were 15 lines hooked up to the switchboard, which was located in the old warehouse, and even in 1900 some of the conversations made good eavesdropping. Other children born to George and Lena were Edna Guelph born in 1906 in Copper Cliff, Lillian Inez born 1909 and Raymond Leck born in 1912. |
Leck family photo about 1906 of George, his wife Lena, mother-in-law Jane Griffin (middle), sons George (back left), Wilfred (back right), and daughters Bertha, Margaret, Emily, and Edna. www.ancestry.ca
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In 1897, the Copper Cliff Amateur Dramatic Company was feverishly rehearsing Hazel Adams ‘Driven from Home’. In 1899, two other performances, for the admission of 25 cents, were 'Two Bad Boys' and the temperance drama 'The Social Glass'.
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In March of 1902, under the auspices of the Copper Cliff Band, 'That Rascal, Pat' was put on at the Copper Cliff school. The play by J. Holmes Grover was called a "farce in one act".
In October of 1902, the Copper Cliff Dramatic Society put on a play called 'Tony The Convict'. George Leck was not only the stage manager but also the hero, which was a laudable achievement. He was really the convict who became a tramp and Miss Leva’s father – in the play, of course. Charlie Taylor was Weary Wayside, another tramp. Miss Nellie McFeetors was Sally, Miss Cressey was Lena, who was in love with Philip Warburton, played by Mr. W. Smiles. Miss Sedley was a charming old maid, as portrayed by Ethel Lawson. The villain in the piece was James Barclay, which Thomas Burton acted with skill. H. J. Cressey was the judge, Mr. Genno, the warden, Mr. Lee was known as Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Burtons, Mrs. VanCruter the mother of Lena. That was a case of the mother looking as young as the daughter. Last, but not least in that production was John Richardson. He pulled the ropes that moved the curtain.
On June 23, 1911, in celebration of King George V's coronation, the Copper Cliff Dramatic club put on a comedy called ‘Between the Acts’, at Gordon Hall, Cache Bay.
In March of 1913, Kip McLean and R. Crouse put on a play known as a 'sketch' at the Rex Theatre.
In October of 1902, the Copper Cliff Dramatic Society put on a play called 'Tony The Convict'. George Leck was not only the stage manager but also the hero, which was a laudable achievement. He was really the convict who became a tramp and Miss Leva’s father – in the play, of course. Charlie Taylor was Weary Wayside, another tramp. Miss Nellie McFeetors was Sally, Miss Cressey was Lena, who was in love with Philip Warburton, played by Mr. W. Smiles. Miss Sedley was a charming old maid, as portrayed by Ethel Lawson. The villain in the piece was James Barclay, which Thomas Burton acted with skill. H. J. Cressey was the judge, Mr. Genno, the warden, Mr. Lee was known as Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Burtons, Mrs. VanCruter the mother of Lena. That was a case of the mother looking as young as the daughter. Last, but not least in that production was John Richardson. He pulled the ropes that moved the curtain.
On June 23, 1911, in celebration of King George V's coronation, the Copper Cliff Dramatic club put on a comedy called ‘Between the Acts’, at Gordon Hall, Cache Bay.
In March of 1913, Kip McLean and R. Crouse put on a play known as a 'sketch' at the Rex Theatre.
The cast in a Finnish production (Hevospaimen) of an Hungarian operetta Copper Cliff. Photo courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.
In November of 1913 at the ninth annual meeting of the Copper Cliff Dramatic Club, members decided to put on the play, ‘Men of Millions’. Officers elected were business manager J. M. Morris, secretary treasurer R. C. Crouse, stage manager Kip McLean, assistant stage manager W. H. Rose and musical director F. Folansby.
