It has been just over a year since Dustin McFadden and Codie Longley took over ownership of the historic King George Hotel and Fitzgerald's Pub & Grill in downtown Weyburn. The hotel dates back a hundred years and has numerous stories within its walls that have remained untold.
However, some stories just have to be told. John Nolan is currently writing a play about real people and actual events that took place more than a hundred years ago in the KG and that play will be taking stage at the KG this spring.
The plan for an original play about the Idaho Kid's involvement in early Weyburn's history has been in the works since McFadden and Longley donated $5,000 to the Tommy Douglas Centre in the fall of 2011.
"We'd like to do a dinner theatre here, or even just plays, at least once or twice a year," said McFadden.
The facility certainly has the appropriate space for this kind of event. When McFadden and Longley purchased the hotel and bar, they expanded the lounge area by renovating a large, unused area and opening a second bar, enabling the use of a stage and dance floor. The west wall features murals by local artist Bob Satre, including the front of an old train, shown below.
"The first play fits the profile of what we're trying to do," said McFadden about the upcoming May in-house production. "The Idaho Kid dates back to the 1900s when the bar first started going."
McFadden expressed positive expectations and even mentioned that while he will not have any lines, he might do some stand-in work but he will mostly lend a hand behind the scenes.
"I'm good with the technical stuff, lighting and sound and things like that, so hopefully I'll have input there," said McFadden.
John Nolan has cast a number of roles for the play, but he still needs to cast the male lead, Larry Lett, who was the Northwest Mounted Police officer who captures the Idaho Kid.
"He has to be fairly physical," said Nolan. "We need somebody who is extremely athletic and who can take some direction."
Nolan also needs Temperance League women.
"They're always on their way to a church service," he said of the group of characters to be played by the five or six women between the ages of 30 and 60 he must soon cast.
While he is still hoping to attract more musicians and actors to the production, Nolan is otherwise currently working with concepts, historians and choreographers. He is also prop-collecting and is looking for lamps and other artifacts from 100 years ago.
"My only real problem is that I can't put more characters in the play than I can cast," said Nolan.
Nolan plans to notify all the television stations about the performance, which SaskTel Max has already agreed to film.
"We are hoping the show will take place in the first two weekends in May, the Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows," said Nolan.
The performances will also offer the non-dinner option. According to Nolan, there is enough seating for about 80 dinner theatre guests and about 24 non-eating guests.
"You'll definitely be able to reach out and touch someone," said Nolan as the action will be happening on stage and onto the dance floor, so the actors and patrons will be close together. The KG will be transformed for the historic dramatic comedy.
"Who knows how many doors this could open?" posed Dustin McFadden. "If it goes over really well and we get a good response from the community, we could keep it going."
What McFadden does have already happening every Wednesday is a house band made up of local musicians who will facilitate an open-mic and jam night.
"They know over four thousand songs as a band," said McFadden.
Karaoke is ever popular on Thursday nights at the KG, steak nights on Fridays and a live band on Saturdays.
"We have a live band booked for every single weekend in March and April," said McFadden.
The as-yet untitled play by Nolan will take place in May. Anyone who is interested in joining the cast or helping out in any way should contact Nolan at the Tommy Douglas Centre. Everyone who is interested in a little histrionic entertainment can look forward to the live performances this spring.
Asked Nolan: "We've got guns and dancers and horses, what more could you hope for?"
