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The Grindrod
Players are a group of people who join together to perform plays for the public. In the
past, they have performed numerous successful plays.
The Grindrod Players originated from a minstrel group formed in the early 1920's. The
minstrel group performed in the Grindrod Farmer's Hall which was built in 1918; this
building was the center of entertainment until it burned down in 1969.
Most of these plays and concerts were organized by the Grindrod Women's Institute. These
plays were performed simply for the community's enjoyment. One newcomer to the district
many years ago was recorded to have commented in amazement on the amount of talent in such
a small community.
The plays were fun to take part in, but it is not easy to do such great productions
without expenses. These expenses were fairly large, so the group needed a good sponsor.
The sponsor throughout the 1960's was the Grindrod Recreation Commission. The Commission
was asked to donate $200 from the earnings of the highly successful play "Charley's
Aunt" as a starter for the newly-formed Grindrod Players. The Players recorded
receiving a cheque for $150; the first play performed by the newly-formed club was
"Look Out Lizzie".
In 1969 the Grindrod Farmer's Hall burned down, but the Players were quite fortunate that
they never lost anything in the fire because their chairs were out on loan.
"Blithe Spirit"
was their 1969 production, and since the G.F. Hall burned down earlier that year, the
Players performed this play in the Mara Hall. This play was also brought to Enderby and
Armstrong and performed there as well.
In 1969 a new school with activity room and storage room was built, and from that year on
the Grindrod Players have performed in the school. Luckily for the Players, the school
agreed that there would be no charge for the facilities. The school board, principals, and
custodians have been very co-operative with the Players and their yearly productions.
On April 19, 1978, someone suggested that there be a scholarship offered to any student
graduating from A.L. Fortune Secondary School who would be continuing to further their
training in fine arts. On April 9, 1981, it was moved that the amount of money offered in
the scholarship fund be increased to $150. On November 20, 1983, it was moved that their
scholarship be available to a student proceeding to post-secondary training in any field,
with a requirement that the recipient have been active in Fine Arts. The following is a
list of scholarship recipients:
1979.....Terry Kyle
1981.....Karri Sawatsky
1982.....Jon Lundquist
1983.....Lyndon Evans
1984.....Crystal Williamson
1985.....Zelda Bogert
1986.....Randy Anchikoski
1987.....Franz Mehrfert
1988.....Ryan Meise
The Grindrod Players' productions are always exciting and entertaining. The plays appeal
to those young and old. Watching their plays may have been fun, but actually acting,
helping or directing in a group the size of the Grindrod Players is the most memorable
part. Throughout all these years, and despite their own funny happenings, the actors have
every right to say, "We've never had a flop!", and that's a pretty good record
after all these years.
Shelly Fichter, Stephanie Abel, Adam Karras
ALF School, 1989