In his 1984 book, The History of Prairie Theatre, E. Ross Stuart reports that Regina Little Theatre is "the oldest continually producing English-speaking theatre group in Canada ."

[ed. note - We know for certain that Ottawa Little Theatre is older than RLT so we are happy to be the oldest such group in Western Canada.]

Founded in 1926, RLT is not the first amateur dramatics society in Regina. Several British immigrants began the Regina Amateur Dramatic Society in 1914, and performed a number of plays before disbanding during World War I.

George Palmer helped to revive amateur theatre in Regina after the War, founding the Regina Community Players in 1924. They mounted many ambitious productions including even some plays of William Shakespeare.

Their productions were first performed in the auditorium of the Regina Normal School (Broad & College), in the City Hall Auditorium (Hamilton & 11th), and at the Grand Theatre ( 11th Avenue ).

Offended by the establishment of RLT in 1926, Palmer folded the Regina Community Players. He revived the group in 1929, and it continued on and off until it was disbanded in 1934.

Walter Read and Captain G.R. Chetwynd were instrumental in establishing RLT in May & June of 1926. The two primary aims of the society were...

1. to present the best plays for the entertainment of the members, and
2. to encourage new talent in all areas of the theatre.

The first executive invited those "sincerely interested in dramatic art and literature in general" to join, providing they agreed to "work in harmony with the other members, place the welfare of the society before all personal ambitions, and loyally support the management."

RLT opened on Monday, November 29th, 1926 at the 600-seat Regina College Auditorium (Broad & College) with two one-act plays: "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals," and "The Singing Soul." The performance was open to members only - an arrangement that was typical in the first two seasons. The first presentation of a play for the general public was " Officer 666 " at the Grand Theatre ( 11th Avenue ) in February of 1927.

F.N. Darke built Darke Hall ( College Avenue ) in 1928 at a cost of $100,000, and eventually donated it to Regina College . It was described as "an admirable theatre, one which few cities can rival." Darke allowed RLT to use the theatre for a token annual rent of $30.00.

In 1956 RLT took possession of a building on South Railway Avenue (now Saskatchewan Drive) - a former puffed-wheat factory and paint shop - which was used for rehearsals and storage. RLT continued to use Darke Hall and local high school auditoria for performances until 1989 when the Regina Performing Arts Centre (Angus & 4th) was opened.

RLT' s first venture into competition was in 1933, for the provincial playdowns of the Dominion Drama Festival. For the next 38 years until the festival's demise, RLT won many provincial and national honours for its productions, directors, and performers. RLT still competes in Saskatchewan 's provincial drama festivals, and with success.

There have been many dedicated and talented people lending their efforts to RLT over the years. Presidents and active directors have included Bill Reid, Mary Ellen Burgess, Bea Ramsay, Cal Abrahamson, and Hilda Allen, all of whom received the Canadian Drama Award for their contributions to amateur theatre. We now have scholarships in honour of Margaret Woodward, and Vic & Mary Rouse.

Performers who received early theatre experience with RLT and went on to professional careers include... John Vernon, Nancy Kerr, Bill Walker, Marilyn Boyle, Jim Henshaw, Shirley Douglas, Scott Peters, Tobi Weinberg, Murray Westgate, Jeanne Griffiths, Kay Kritzwiser, Frances Hyland, Howard Eastman, and many more.