TRAVEL BACK THROUGH TIME in Barkerville
A
staycation can also involve journeying a bit outside your local region — and what is better than travelling back in time? The Theatre Royal in Barkerville will be opening earlier this year, with previews of its new familyfriendly variety show launching on June 3. This was made possible due to a generous donation made by Osisko Development and Osisko Gold Royalties, as well as personal contributions that were made by senior Osisko executives, bringing the total to $80,000. This allowed Barkerville to call its performers back to work early for rehearsals and also covers costs for script development, music composition and seasonal salaries for the theatre’s talented musicians. “Since 1868, the Theatre Royal has been the heart of Barkerville’s gold rush community, sustained by successful and famous gold miners who craved entertainment as a reprieve from the Cariboo’s harsh living and working circumstances,” said Barkerville Historic Town & Park CEO Kate Cox. “Through their support, Osisko is following in those
4
2 0 2 3 K A M L O O P S S TAY C AT I O N G U I D E
footsteps by supporting the community’s tourism, arts and culture economy, employing 13 professional historic interpreters, accelerating the growth of ancillary programs and businesses and bringing Barkerville’s magic to an estimated 40,000-plus visitors.” Added Osisko Development president Chris Lodder: “It is a real pleasure to continue to support Barkerville Historic Town & Park and watch it grow into the diverse, sustainable, economic fabric that has been developing in the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes region of the Cariboo.” Shows at the Theatre Royal will begin on June 3, with shows each day at 2 p.m. During June only, there will be no shows on Thursdays. Performances will move to seven days a week after the Theatre Royal’s grand opening during the Dominion Day festivities on July 1. For more information on Theatre Royal and everything else happening in Barkerville, go online to barkerville.ca or call 1-888-994-3332.