White Rock council members didn't hesitate last week when it came to a request for funding to help with a project honouring local veterans and their families.
With no public discussion and by a unanimous vote July 14, the politicians approved a $10,000 contribution to Peninsula Productions – funds that enable the company to present Stephen Massicotte's Mary's Wedding in November.
In a July 4 letter requesting the funds, the group's Geoff Giffin and Wendy Bollard write that they learned only recently of the opportunity to present the play – too late to be considered for the city's leisure-services budget.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, they note, and the play is to commemorate "the great sacrifice that Canadians made during this time."
It tells the story of a young man and woman at the beginning of the First World War who fall in love, and explores "the pain and sacrifice of ordinary Canadians."
Bollard described Mary's Wedding as "a beautiful piece of theatre… I've loved this play for years."
The total budget for the production is $25,000, of which $15,000 is to be generated through ticket sales, fundraising and other community support.
Without the city's help, the show would not go on, Giffin told Peace Arch News after Monday's meeting.
The play is to be presented at the White Rock Elementary "black box theatre" – a 180-seat studio – from Nov. 11-15, with the Remembrance Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11) performance dedicated to veterans and families. Four additional performances open to the general public will be presented over the following days.
Monday's funding injection is not the first from the city to Peninsula Productions this year. In March, the group – along with the White Rock Players Club – received a $1,500 grant-in-aid.