As it embarks on its biggest season to date, the Grand Theatre has also received its largest individual donation - $1-million.
The gift from London philanthropists Helen and Andy Spriet was announced on Thursday and will see the 116-year-old theatre's main stage renamed the Spriet Stage.
"This transformational gift will be instrumental in expanding the theatre’s programming and building new community initiatives,” said Deb Harvey, executive director at the Grand Theatre. “Donations of this size in London, and in particular in the arts community, are rare."
London philanthropists Helen and Andy Spriet announcing $1-million donation to the Grand Theatre, March 9, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
Andy Spriet told those at the Grand for the unveiling of the new season that he and his wife had originally planned to leave a legacy gift to the theatre but wanted to see their donations impact on Londoners.
The largest individual gift in the theatre's history came moments before the biggest season in the theatre's history was announced. The 2017/2018 season will feature 11 plays on two stages, a five-concert series, and a school tour. It is also new Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum's debut season.
"This big season is the new scale that we are going to work on. Next year will be bigger than this," said Garnhum. "One very simple thing I need to happen is for people to come buy tickets and show up. If the city of London comes to all of these things, we can carry on and do more."
Six plays will run on the Spriet Stage, including the world premiere of Chariots of Fire, an adaptation of the iconic Academy Award winning film. The intimate McManus Stage will launch a three-show series which will include the return of Ronnie Burkett and his 40-plus marionettes in The Daisy Theatre. Burkett's unscripted variety show played to sold out crowds this past season.
The musical Evita was unveiled as the Grand's annual High School Project production. The theatre will also host a series of free panel discussions featuring internationally acclaimed author Emma Donoghue and award winning activist Sally Armstrong.