Behind the Curtain - New Exhibit at the Prestige!
2022-2023 marks the 70th anniversary season for the Rossland Light Opera Players (RLOP). Over the next 12 months, this exhibit will explore some of the RLOP’s biggest and most popular plays. Join us as we take a peek behind the curtain.
The RLOP was founded on November 1, 1951, by Rossland teachers Bill and Kathleen Baldry, Gordon Griffin, and Margery Littley. The organization’s purpose was to encourage music, drama, and associated arts in the area. For their first eight seasons, the RLOP performed Gilbert & Sullivan productions, but in 1959, they branched out to other playwrights.
A2015.004.086 - Wally Bertoia, Marg Ford, Lynn Higginson, George Bourchier, Ted Milner, and Kathy Brown (piano) in We’ll Meet Again (1988)
A2015.004.028 - Barry Fairbridges as Bunhorne in Patience (1957)
From Oklahoma! to Spamalot and original compositions, the RLOP has performed almost every year since their inception. The 2021 season was cancelled due to the global pandemic. Rehearsals are conducted in the historic RLOP Hall (Bodega Hotel) on Washington Street. Performances are held in various local venues, such as Rossland’s Miners’ Union Hall and Trail’s Charles Bailey Theatre.
Co-curated by our research assistant/collections intern, Tyler Bignell, Behind the Curtain: The History of the Rossland Light Opera Players explores the theatrical history of Rossland’s longest-running group of thespians. This year-long exhibit will highlight a different play from the RLOP’s catalogue bi-monthly through some of their amazing costumes!
The plays that will be highlighted include Pirates of Penzance (the RLOP’s first production),The Merry Widow, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Boomtown Jubilee (written by the RLOP), and The Sound of Music.
Our Pirate King!
Behind the Curtain has been created in partnership with the RLOP and will be on location at the Prestige Mountain Resort until May 2023. A new play will be featured bi-monthly, so check back later for a new play highlight!
A huge thank you goes out to the RLOP and the Prestige Mountain Resorts Rossland for their continued support of our outreach exhibit program!
