Dominion Drama Festival

Season 21

Apr 23 to Apr 28, 1934

22 plays competed in the second edition of the Dominion Drama Festival at the Little Theatre. The finalists were chosen by Rupert Harvey who toured across the country viewing all of the entries in the 11 regional festivals. The Ottawa finals included the winning plays from each of those regions, plus another 11 selected by excellence regardless of region.

The Ottawa Drama League entry was "Marco Millions" performed with two other plays on April 24 (for casting, see Feb. 7, 1934) after winning an Honourable Mention at the Eastern Ontario Regional Festival in Kingston on February 10.

The finals were adjudicated by British theatre critic J.T. Grein who awarded "Marco Millions" the second highest trophy for English plays. Top prize of the Bessborough Trophy went to Hart House Theatre, Toronto, for its production of "Michael".

On the closing night which included Lord and Lady Bessborough and Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, according to the Ottawa Journal, "not only was every seat taken, but the aisles were crowded with chairs. The window ledges were filled with spectators and the Little Theatre which ordinarily holds about 500 people saw present probably somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800."

Cast

Production Team