The truths about theatre are: that it is always good for the soul — for actors and audiences alike; that any space can be a stage; that life and theatre reflect each other, almost equally.

Throughout the year here, we have a permanent stage, with wings, lights and seats at Orangeville's Opera House. In contrast, actor Susan Cuthbert assured me, "A portable stage doesn't feel any different wherever we do our productions. A stage is a stage."

Ms. Cuthbert played "Christine" in the original Canadian production of Phantom of the Opera and starred as "Annie" in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival. She is currently co-starring, with Scott Pietrangelo, in the tour of Smile Theatre's "Fireside Songs," coming to the Avalon Retirement Lodge next Wednesday, December 23.

Smile Theatre was established 1972, with the purpose to tour, taking shows with musical content to seniors' residences, re-hab centres, care facilities, hospitals and community centres. The point is to bring the theatre to places in which people live who either cannot go out or can only do so with some difficulty.

Cathy Reid, Smile Theatre's general manager, who worked as well for Theatre Orangeville for some years, explained all this to me.

Jim Betts, now in his second season with Smile Theatre as Artistic Director, filled in more of the history.

In the early 1970's, there was government funding for Local Initiatives Programs (LIP) assisting social awareness groups. Under this policy, funding was found to establish Smile Theatre, at which time there was support for professional actors in one-year contracts.

Tom Kneebone took over early on and turned Smile into "a going concern" until his death seven years ago. Tom Carson took up the reins to become General Manager and Artistic Director, passing the baton to Jim Betts 18 months ago.

"Compared to other jobs," Mr. Betts said, "this is remarkably satisfying."

From September to June of every year, the company tours Ontario, more specifically the general are of the GTA, offering a season of four or five shows a year.

Each show travels eight to 10 weeks, with from eight to 10 shows a week, visiting 75 to 80 places per show. There have been forays to Prince Edward Island and B.C. but now there are only occasional trips to the Ottawa area or Southwestern Ontario. This is primarily financial consideration.

The theatre is strictly professional, with the usual ties to Equity. The programs all include a musical element. As Mr. Betts told me, "My first love is musical theatre, so this programming suits me."

When talking about the continuity of the stage, Ms. Cuthbert pointed out that they take sets, props, even lighting with them. Some venues actually have auditoriums with raised stages, while, in other places, they are on the same level as the audience. None of this matters. All that counts is the show: "The play's the thing," as the Bard did say.

Albeit there is inevitably music within the context of the shows, as Artistic Director, Mr. Betts chooses a wide selection of content. Some of the shows display the talent of young Canadian writers and composers. Some have more plot as such than others, which are concert style. This is the case with Fireside Songs, which is a compilation of favourite tunes, from easy jazz to musical theatre pieces. Having played the role of Christine in Phantom, Ms. Cuthbert obviously brings selections from the modern opera to the content of the show.

As Ms. Reid pointed out: "Our audiences can know they're really watching "Christine" sing the parts for them."

Of course, Smile Theatre is and is not a regular theatre. Its format of professionalism and care about programming and casting are in line with theatres anywhere, but its audiences are more specific. With all the performances taking place before those who are elderly or in care, there is, according to Mr. Betts and Ms. Reid, a heightened appreciation for the performances and some differences in ability to react.

There is no condescension on the part of the performers, for they have the opportunity to see the light in the eyes of their audiences.

Mr. Betts remarked, "It's too easy to think seniors don't think much but our goal is to treat them as though they are a Mirvish audience. Art changes people - they respond so well."

There are stories of elderly people who have not spoken for months suddenly joining in a song or speaking to the actors after the performance.

"If they can't respond to anything else, they respond to music," was Mr. Betts' comment.

Ms. Cuthbert asserted, "To me the audiences are not dif- ferent. There is a difference between a demonstrative and appreciative response. Clapping and standing for an ovation are demonstrative - some people can't physically stand - but the appreciation response is the change in the energy in the room. We always have to gauge the audience - you can't necessarily anticipate how they'll be.

"As long as I can make a difference, make a joyous atmosphere for a while; if I can change the energy or the feeling in the room, then that's what matters to me.."

Fireside Songs is Smile Theatre's production at the Avalon, with the show starting at 2 p.m. and refreshments after the show. The public is welcomed; admission is free: please bring a donation for the Orangeville Food Bank.