A steel structure is being installed in the theatre to support the new (motorized) rigging system and light bars over the stage.

Here a crane loads one of the cross braces for the structure into the building through the roof over the stage.

The fly gallery will be used to raise and lower pieces of scenery.

An elaborate scaffold has been built on the stage so that workers can remove the roof over the stage.

Later this week a crane will lower steel beams and posts in to the theatre.

The steel structure is to support a motorized rigging system for raising and lowering scenery and light bars.

A new roof then goes over the stage.

Uncovered Posters

While working on the stairs to the balcony workers uncovered a 1920s poster for "California Movie Girls" featuring comedian Paul Robinson.

The poster is on top of several layers of posters of what was once the front wall of the theatre.

The theatre was called the David Theatre at the time after the first owner, Camille David.

Behind the Orange Tarp

Restoration of the theatre facade is getting underway. Site supervisor Ben Paulsen, left and architect David Roth discuss measurements for the black glass panels that will re-create the art deco look the front of the Bailey had for many decades.
The facade restoration is funded in part by surplus funds from the Camrose Main Street Project.

Bailey Receives CFEP Grant

Wetaskiwin-Camrose MLA Verlyn Olson, right hands over a cheque for $125,000 to Bailey Theatre Society Vice-President Ross Shuman.

This is the third grant the Bailey has received from this program. The grant has to be matched with money received from donors.

If you make a donation or sponsor a seat in the theatre we''ll issue you a tax receipt. Call the office at 780-672-5510 for more details.

Little Known of Lobby Mural Painter

Paint conservator Cyndie Lack inspects the mural uncovered in the lobby during renovations. The painting by Denmark born painter Theodore Jensen is of a person sitting in a boat on a lake in the mountains shooting at ducks.

Cyndie says this is an excellent piece and is in good shape. The varnish has yellowed and the impact has been to change the colours of primarily the sky and water. The varnish can be removed and small holes caused by nails be filled and repainted.

Plans are to preserve the painting for display when the theatre re-opens.

At the Augustana Spring Student Conference Lauren Tollifson presented a paper on the builder of the Bailey Theatre Camille David.

Tollifson explored the official records and local history books for evidence to support the obituary that appeared in Montreal and Franco-Alberta newspapers after David died in 1930.

Construction workers working on the balcony have uncovered a treasure trove of old candy wrappers, boxes and cardboard chocolate milk bottle and ice cream lids.

On the side of the Jones' Cremola Toffee box is written, "Just cream, butter & sugar".

There is a 10-cent ticket stub for a dance featuring the "Silver Troubadors".

During the excavation of the basement construction workers found more artifacts.

In the foreground are left to right, a tin for Macdonald's tobacco, a tin for denture powder, a broken bottle for Hudson's Bay whiskey, and a small flask. The flask has been dated at between 60 and 80 years old, and yes that is a little bit of whiskey in the bottle.