This year’s Bienfait Lions Club Community Theatre had three performances and paid tribute to the man who helped bring the theatre to the town more than a decade ago.
The theatre staged performances of New Kid on the Block on Friday and Saturday night, as well as Sunday afternoon at the Bienfait Weldon School gymnasium. The shows were well attended, and featured the efforts of many people in the area.
But they also served as a recognition of Bienfait’s Dwight Thompson, who died in May at the age of 55.
A video tribute to Thompson, prepared by director Paula Lainton and her son James, was shown during the intermission of Friday and Saturday’s dinner theatre shows, and before Sunday’s dessert theatre. There were photos and videos of Thompson’s work in the community and his on-stage characters.
Paula Lainton and Bienfait Mayor Paul Carroll also spoke of Thompson’s love of the stage and the community.
Lainton noted Thompson’s efforts to bring a community theatre to Bienfait were rewarded in 2004, with the performance of I’ll Get my Man.
“What followed, to the delight of hundreds of people each year, was 12 more consecutive years of comedy productions, and for each of those productions, Dwight was the backbone, making sure that all aspects of the weekend were tended to, and that was in addition to learning his lines, and delivering them with his style and pizzazz,” said Lainton.
Posters from previous performances were on the gymnasium wall, giving people a chance to reminisce on Thompson’s characters.
Carroll noted that Thompson quickly became a big part of the community.
“He served his community through his church, the Lions, the legion, the curling club and town council,” said Carroll. “He was involved in playparks, July 1 (celebrations), the museum and was instrumental in the purchase of a new fire truck.”
Thompson was Bienfait Town Council’s liaison with the fire department, and for his efforts, he was awarded an honourary membership by the fire department.
Proceeds from the community theatre will be directed to the Bienfait Lions Club.
