Teedie Kagume, at the Powell River Museum, has been on the search for more theatre facts and it was a pleasant surprise to get an email today. The headline was from Thursday November 29th,1928,just 4 weeks after the grand opening of the new building.
The headline reads “Patricia Theatre Secures Organist”. I copy exactly what the first few sentences say……………
“Perhaps one of the most gratifying features of the new Patricia Theatre, recently opened by McLeod-Scanlon Amusements Co,is the inclusion of the splendid modern Robert Morton pipe organ.
A cinema performance without good music is very similar to a meal without salt. In the same manner that a dash of salt or a touch of flavoring stimulates the palate, so does the well played musical number impart additional zest and interest to the feature presentation and few will regret their visit to the new Patricia Theatre on the opening night.
For the priviledge of hearing the swelling tones of the new organ as it responded to the exquisite touch of Miss Ivy Evans was a performance in itself.
Consequently it was with feelings of genuine regret that Powell River found Miss Evans, after a week in our midst, compelled to return to Vancouver, to resume her duties at the Pantages Theatre and fulfill her weekly obligation over the radio, which had been interrupted by her weeks’ visit to our townsite.
The departure of Miss Evans was keenly felt by the management of the theatre and negotiations were immediately initiated to secure the services of a competent first-class organist.
Luck was with them, thanks to the assistance of Miss Evans,the permanent services of her sister, Miss Vera Evans was secured, thus assuring the continuance of the standard for excellence set by the McLeod-Scanlon Amusements Co. for their new theatre.”
We’ve got to refresh our memories and realize that even though the Jazz Singer had been released in 1927, and the public was abuzz with the idea of voices and music synchronized to the film, silent films were still the norm in 1928 and it would be about 1933-35 that
sound pictures were the norm all across the country. Sound equipment was installed in the Patricia in 1930.
Silent films was greatly enhanced by a musician, usually a pianist or an organist that would create “mood music”. A full time organist would have been a essential part of the entertainment each evening.
Now Vera Evans and her sister Ivy came from a very gifted family. The newspaper article goes on to tell about their parents who were both professional musicians and the other 2 sisters who also were professionals. Vera trained in England, graduating with highest honours. She took further training in Duluth, Minnesota, and was organist for the Lyceum Theatre in that city as well as teaching privately. She played across the country for 7 years before coming back to Vancouver. Vera played for the Pantages Theatre, in private concerts and with several first class orchestras in the city.
The townfolk here is Powell River , were likely thrilled that such a gifted musician was coming to town to teach and participate in the amateur musical productions.
Unfortunately, 2 things may have worked against Miss Vera Evans staying in our community for very long. I was only able to find her name mentioned in a directory in 1930. I assume she moved back to the city soon after the sound equipment was installed . there was also the economic factor of employing this talented young woman during the great depression.
Friends of the Historic Patricia Theatre 