Richard 'Murch' Murchland directs Two Dates for Tonight at Chapleau High School

Richard Murchland, more commonly called 'Murch" outside of school, directed the comedy Two Dates for Tonight  by Chapleau High School during the 1958-59 year with Joy Evans as the lead actress.


The play was performed in the Town Hall.


I was in Grade 12 at the time and Mr. Murchland taught us English, Latin and Physical Education. The only teacher I ever called by his first name or nickname outside of school, "Murch" who came from Atlantic Canada was one of my all time favourite teachers giving me a lifelong love of the poetry of William Wordsworth. He also did not mind if we called him 'Murch' outside of the school of course.


He got stuck with Latin and his major moment as our Phys Ed teacher may have been the day he went too far back for a pass, and ended up in the river -- he made the catch although he was drenched suit and all.


When I received photos from the play from Joy (Evans) Heft a few hours ago, from the mothballs of memory came so many wonderful moments at CHS from 1955 to 1959 when I was a student there. It is time for the reunion folks where all our fond memories can be shared!!!


In 1958-59 I had television show on CHAP TV, the local station, with Phyllis Chrusoskie airing once a week from our studio on Young Street. Joy and I also wrote a weekly high school column for Mid North News, owned by Arthur Grout. It just struck me that I have been doing and teaching journalism, communications, media for 53 years. WOW!

In her email, Joy recalled that Dawn Goldstein and Coleen Gibson were particularly good in their roles and quite humorous.


"I was the lead actress and the lucky one to have two dates", Joy wrote. "I also had to throw a cake into the face of one of the suitors, Jimmy Bucci,  so the actors took turns making a cake for each performance (they were not so easy to buy off the shelf in those days)."


Joy also noted that the play went on the road to Sheppard and Morse where at one point she fell off the makeshift stage at the cake throwing point, breaking a crystal plate that belonged to Mrs. Tony Morin, Rita's mother.


Joy also included two photos from the production and let's hear from you if you can identify the cast members, or if you were part of the production.


Thanks so much Joy.


Please feel free to send along CHS fond memories/photos as the reunion nears. My email is mj.morris@live.ca