Globus Theatre: Celebrating 20 Years of Professional Theatre in the Kawarthas

Just 10 minutes outside of the picturesque village of Bobcaygeon sits a bright pink barn. Originally a working cattle barn, the building has been a social meeting space for over 50 years, first being transformed into a dance hall in 1967, and more recently the home for Globus Theatre – a professional theatre, celebrating its 20th season.

When did Globus begin and why?

Globus was established in 2003 by the creative team of Sarah Quick and James Barrett who were both touring actors that met on the International Fringe Festival circuit. When they decided to settle down together, they knew they wanted to set up a permanent professional theatre company in the City of Kawartha Lakes where Barrett was from.

“James had started his professional career working for Kawartha Summer Theatre, and when it disbanded, he felt that there should still be a professional theatre company here in the Kawartha Lakes,” explains Sarah Quick, the Artistic Director of Globus. “And so, we founded Globus Theatre and became the company in residence at the Lakeview Arts Barn.”

The LAB boasts a comfortable 150-seat black box theatre and has a restaurant attached to it. Patrons can come and enjoy a delectable dinner before the show, which makes a night out at Globus a truly complete experience.

A favourite entertainment spot for local residents, Globus Theatre has also garnered a great reputation with theatregoers from across Ontario, with people traveling from all over to include Globus as part of their vacation. It’s perfect for a date night, a family night out, or a get together with friends. “There is something for everyone here,” says Barrett. “We have new Canadian plays, one night comedy events, murder mysteries, concerts, and kids’ shows. The perfect addition to your cottage stay.”

When asked about what Globus has accomplished over the last 20 years, there is much to look back on. Since its inception, Globus has produced 150 professional theatre productions including 14 original murder mysteries, 8 original Pantos, 21 Canadian Premieres and 14 World premieres and now welcomes 10,000 patrons annually.

Looking ahead – what is Globus’ future?

“When you spend your life in theatre, you’re constantly looking for the next thing that you’re going to be creating and working on. It’s a rare thing to look back at what you’ve done. What this 20th anniversary season has done is allow us to have that conversation amongst ourselves and with our patrons and our supporters. To revisit our accomplishments, see the impact we’ve had on our community…and look at what the next 20 years holds!!”

In fact, Globus is celebrating with an extended season that runs from May till December. They’ve added shows, increased subscription options, and embarked on a capital campaign to purchase their venue, ensuring that Globus has a home for the next several decades to come. Cheers – To the next 20 years!

For more information on Globus Theatre’s 20th anniversary season, visit globustheatre.com