ACTRA Maritimes Honours Its Own
At its recent Annual General Meeting, ACTRA Maritimes presented Life Memberships to two of its most illustrious and iconic members, Richard Donat and Marguerite McNeil.
Member Mary-Colin Chisholm introduced Richard to the assembly, speaking warmly of the tremendous contribution he’s made to the local theatre community – as a performer and a director. He was a recipient of a Merritt Award this past spring for his work in Fool For Love (F4L Productions).
On both the large and small screens, Richard has made a lasting impression across this nation – appearing as the lovestruck Dr. Burnley on the series Emily of New Moon and countless other films and television productions.
Mary-Colin Chisholm introduces Life Membership honouree Richard Donat.
Cleiff Le Jeune introduced the second honouree, Marguerite McNeil, speaking of the tremendous impact, as a teacher and performer, she made on him and so many other young Cape Breton performers over the years.
Life member Marguerite McNeil breaks up National President Richard Hardacre.
Marguerite has worked on stages throughout Atlantic Canada. She received tremendous notices for her work as the ailing mother in the classic Atlantic Canadian film, Marion Bridge. Receiving her Life membership from National President Richard Hardacre, she delivered a powerful speech in which she reminisced about the struggles her father underwent on behalf of the Miner’s union in Glace Bay at a time when a strike meant suffering beatings at the hands of the Pinkerton men. It was a rousing affirmation of the dignity of workers and the legacy upon which the trade union movement is founded which everyone present on their feet.
