Captain R. Burton Deane and Theatre on the Prairies, 1883-1901

R. Burton Deane, a Mounted Police officer, was instrumental in the development of theatre in the Prairie West between 1883 and 1901. His interest in theatre had been an outgrowth of his performance of magic tricks. As an adjutant for the Royal Marines in England he had been placed in charge of a theatre and in that capacity he gained considerable experience in producing, directing and acting. The pioneer communities of Regina and Lethbridge received the benefit of Deane's expertise. His productions supported local charities, improved relations between the Mounties and the local elite, raised crucial issues of social relevance, albeit in a lighthearted manner, and provided theatrical performances of good quality for the newly-established centres. R. Burton Deane, officier de la Mounted Police, exerca une grande influence sur le developpement du theâtre dans les Prairies de l'Ouest entre 1883 et 1901. L'interet qu'il eprouva pour le theâtre vint de son execution de seances de prestidigitation. Quand il etait capitaine adjutant major des Royal Marines en Angleterre on lui avait confie un theâtre ou il gagna de l'expertise a produire et a mettre en scene des pieces et a y jouer. Les communautes pionnieres de Regina et de Lethbridge profiterent de l'expertise de Deane. Ses productions soutenaient des oeuvres de charite de la region, amelioraient les rapports entre les Mounties et l'elite de la region, soulevaient des questions sociales de la premiere importance, bien qu'avec enjouement, etjournissaient des representations de bonne qualite pour les nouveaux centres.