Comment
Theatre of the absurd
Who owns Hillier Hall? It is the only public space in the former township. There are no schools, no church halls or community centres in Hillier. Built in 1867, Hillier Hall has served as the community hub for as long as Canada has existed. It is where couples came to be celebrated after their marriage ceremony. Where people shared a meal to recognize the harvest. Where they gathered to remember those who had passed on. Where Women’s Institute spring suppers continue to fetch $100 or more for a banana cream pie.
Hillier Hall also has a long history as a venue for entertainment: music events, theatrical performances and special events. In fact, hidden behind the west wall are the vestiges of a stage.
And when Hillier Hall needed repairs or renovation, the community—in the form of volunteers, including the WI—came together with money, skill, fundraising and resources to get the job done.
But now the County has declared that theatrical performances are to be banned from Hillier Hall. It has advised the Hillier Recreation Committee that it owns Hillier Hall and as such will not permit any future theatre to be staged in this facility. Or perhaps more accurately, the County had determined its liability risk is too great to allow Hillier Hall to do what it has done through its 150-year history.
Worse, the County allowed the community to invest in renovations expressly for the purpose of staging theatre and music in the hall—only to subsequently deny such presentations.
The current saga began nearly five years ago. It was clear the roof needed repair. Further investigation revealed structural work was also needed. This meant that the interior ceiling and false ceiling had to be removed.
The Recreation Committee saw this as an opportunity to modify the interior and ceiling to better accommodate lighting, flying rigs and electrics necessary to present small-scale theatre and music productions. The Rec Committee met resistance from the County, who just wanted to restore the structure. Others were worried about changes that might affect the character of the hall and their privileged access to it.
The Recreation Committee enlisted support for their plans from respected engineer and life-long Hillier resident Ernie Margetson. Together, these various groups—including County officials—hammered out a plan and design featuring a vaulted ceiling and discreet hanging structures.
The Rec Committee put up $6,000 for the project. Margetson donated his time and expertise.
When the project was completed everyone put on smiles, despite months of delays. The community and the municipality coming together to improve and maintain a beloved public space. It was a good story.
That is until Conrad Beaubien staged Bridge Street in the newly renovated hall last fall. Hours before the first performance, County officials advised Beaubien he could not go on with the show. The building code would not permit the performance. They hashed together a compromise solution. Two firefighters were required to attend each performance—in the event of a fire in the single-storey, ground level, stone building, with multiple exits might put theatregoers at risk. It was ridiculous. Absurdity fit for a stage.
But of course it wasn’t theatregoers’ risk County officials were worried about—it was their own.
Beaubien then pursued County officials to explain their over-reaction and to clear the path for future performances— future events—using the rigging it had paid to install. He waded into the molasses sea of unreturned phone calls and emails.
Finally in March, the County had had enough. They sent Beaubien a letter advising him that theatrical performances would no longer be permitted in Hillier Hall. They were the owners of the hall and it was their responsibility to protect the lives of folks who might inadvertently attend small community theatre in Hillier unaware of the risk they were taking.
When he was running Shire Hall, Merlin Dewing sent a message to the community—take ownership of your community halls and assets—or risk losing them. Across the County, community groups and individuals responded. They stepped up, but now they are increasingly faced with a municipal bureaucracy fixated more on risk and liability exposure than on encouraging and supporting volunteers.
These are community assets. It’s time for Shire Hall to help or get out of the way.
Perhaps everyone who attends a theatrical performance in one of these DANGEROUS halls could sign a waiver possibly notarized by a lawyer in attendance suggesting that the attendee is aware of the risks and prepared to take them while absolving the COUNTY of any responsibility.
Conditions could be part of the waiver.
For instance all audience member could be made to wear hard hats and bring a fire extinguisher, pry bar and a fire axe.
Enjoy the show.
Enjoy the show.
What a shame…Sounds like Trenton’s Old Town Hall Theater all over again. Can’t someone do something to preserve these small theater venues?
Shire Hall seems more in line with what it can get for Picton. Hillier seems to be becoming a community of out of town resident with no interest beyond their summer homes. Long term residents are being pushed aside or banned from doing what we have always done. Support the Hillier hall.