THUNDER BAY – The man who established Thunder Bay's first professional theatre company has died.
Magnus Theatre on Thursday announced that Burton Lancaster, the theatre's founder and first artistic director, passed away at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer's.
Lancaster founded six theatre companies during his career, with the largest in Thunder Bay. The local company, created in 1971, was originally called Theatre Northwest and originally operated out of a number of different venues before setting up a home at the old Slovak Hall on McLaughlin and Connelly streets, the predecessor site to their current Waverley Park location.
The company was later renamed to the Magnus Theatre Northwest, which remains its official name.
Lancaster left Magnus in 1977.
“I am very saddened at Burton’s passing. I had the privilege of following this great theatre artist twice in my career: Here at Magnus Theatre and at the Showboat Festival Theatre in the Round. Burton Lancaster was a true gentleman and a great theatre artist, whose impact and influence on Canadian Theatre will be felt for generations to come,” current artistic director Thom Currie said in a statement.
Magnus will dedicate the 2019-2020 mainstage season to Lancaster.
“Magnus Theatre owes its very existence to Burton Lancaster’s vision nearly 50 years ago. We are deeply saddened by his passing but we are honoured to continue building on his brilliant legacy,” board president Katy Commisso said.
