Avril and Bob Tyrrell are longtime Belfry patrons and supporters. “We go way back,” Bob remembers, “though I wasn’t always an annual subscriber. There was a time when I bought tickets only to the plays, I thought we would enjoy. But since becoming season subscribers, we haven’t been disappointed in a production in a very long time.”
Supporting local artistic and cultural industries in general and the Belfry Theatre in particular has been a no-brainer for the Tyrrells. “In my opinion, the Belfry Theatre is one of Victoria’s many jewels,” says Bob. “The building itself is a true gem. There’s not a bad seat in the house, the renovated lobby is lovely, and the staff and volunteers are always warm and welcoming. And artistically speaking, with the focus on accessible Canadian theatre, Michael Shamata and his staff seem to be doing everything right.”
Bob founded Orca Books in 1984 as a publisher of regional history, biography, and outdoor guidebooks until he more or less stumbled into the world of children’s books. Among many awards, Orca was named publisher of the year and won a Governor General’s Award. The company gradually built an excellent reputation in the school and library markets in both Canada and the US as one of North America’s finest publishers of books for young readers.
Before retiring from Orca in 2017, Bob served on the Belfry’s Board of Directors and enjoyed the experience. But ‘the play’s the thing,’ isn’t it? “We both love live performance,” Bob says. “I’m passionate about both theatre and jazz (not to mention, flyfishing and single malt whisky). When Orca moved into the US market, I felt very lucky indeed to have an obligation to visit New York a couple of times a year. I would always find time for a play or two, either on-Broadway or off-, and always an evening at the Village Vanguard jazz club.”
Avril was a nurse at the Jubilee Hospital for her entire career. After stints in many departments, she was head nurse of the operating theatres for many years. When their daughter Alexandra was born, Avril transferred to diabetes outpatient education, a somewhat less stressful environment, where she remained until she took early retirement in 2007.
When Avril and Bob recently updated their wills, Bob included a legacy gift to the theatre in his document. “From my own experience, I have a very good idea regarding just how tough it can be to survive in an entertainment market so dominated by our neighbours to the south. And adding a legacy gift to my will was so easy… simple but very satisfying. Long live the Belfry!”
For information on supporting the theatre including joining the Belfry Legacy Circle, please contact Susan Stevenson, Director of Development at susan.stevenson@belfry.bc.ca