Longtime Drayton Festival theatregoer wins big in 50/50 raffle

A longtime Drayton Festival Theatre patron’s support has paid off, literally. 

Marcia Haworth of Rockwood won $100,505 in Drayton Entertainment’s 50/50 raffle for the month of May. 

“I almost can’t believe it actually even though I got the cheque in the bank it seems incredible,” Haworth said in a phone interview. “You never think you’ll win that kind of money.”

Haworth said she’s been going to performances with her husband since the Drayton Festival Theatre’s opening performance in 1991 when they saw Brighton Beach Memoirs. 

Much has changed at the theatre over 30 years. Haworth said the seats used to be a bit uncomfortable — you could rent cushions for $2 — but that’s no longer the case as well as the addition of an elevator and a larger stage.

Drayton Entertainment, the theatre’s parent company, has also expanded to opening and owning more theatres across the province. 

Artistic director Alex Mustakas — who also directed that first production back in 1991 — presented Haworth with the cheque Tuesday morning. 

“When I found out that our May winner has been coming to the theatre since the very first season, it reminded me again how lucky we are to have such loyal patrons,” said Mustakas in a press release. 

“We’ve been doing 50/50 draws since the early seasons in Drayton. The raffle has become a signature part of the Drayton experience at all our theatres now. It’s been fun to take that tradition online and enjoy some entertainment and excitement as the jackpot grows each month.”

Going to shows four or five times a year is something Haworth and her husband miss during the pandemic.

“It’s just one of the routines we have, we go with two friends and we usually go to a matinee and out for dinner,” Haworth said, noting the impact the theatre has on the restaurant industry as well. 

Haworth encourages people to support local theatres whether through donations or participating in raffles like the 50/50 draw, among other methods as they provide an experience closer to home.

“It’s just a really comfortable, easy way of getting wonderful entertainment, you don’t have to go to Toronto or Stratford, you have fabulous theatre in our community,” Haworth said. 

Haworth is donating $10,000 back into Drayton Entertainment’s youth program.

There is another 50/50 raffle being held in June. Tickets and more information can be found here.