By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
North Hatley’s iconic Piggery Theatre is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer, and those behind its continued existence say its story is far from over.
Founded in 1965 by English theatre enthusiast and New York transplant Marjory Virgin, the Piggery was built inside a converted pig barn on her summer property. Her vision was simple but ambitious: to create a space for high-calibre English-language theatre in the Eastern Townships. The building, rustic but atmospheric, offered a perfect home for what became an enduring cultural hub. Though the programming has shifted over the decades, the theatre’s role as a cherished gathering place remains.
“My grandfather worked for Mrs. Virgin as a farm manager after coming over from Scotland in the ’50s,” said Trevor McKinven, a local artist and long-time Piggery contributor. “Later, in 2003, when the place was struggling after bankruptcy, I got a call to help bring it back. One thing led to another, and my parents got involved. Now we basically run the place.”
The McKinven family’s efforts helped resuscitate the venue at a time when it was on the brink of permanent closure. From installing seating to securing acts and handling sound, McKinven wears many hats at the Piggery. “It’s really a team effort,” he said. “We take pride in what we’ve built.”
He recalls the early 2000s as a turning point. “Johnny Reid came and put us on the map. Then came the Haggard boys. We found our groove with music,” McKinven said. Though the theatre was originally known for its stage plays, the transition to concerts and events was partly a financial necessity. “Plays are expensive. You look at the budgets from back in the day — posters, actors, everything. Some runs averaged 50 people in a 260-seat house. It wasn’t sustainable.”
The Piggery’s 2025 season, officially its 60th, is full of special programming meant to celebrate its storied past while looking ahead. Historical displays, screenings of vintage footage, and storytelling events are all part of the schedule. Some of the video clips, discovered in a dusty attic, include scenes from the Ayer’s Cliff Fair and Lake Massawippi from the 1950s. “We’ll be showing those and setting up a little museum in the lobby,” said McKinven. “It’s a window into what the Townships looked like back then.”
McKinven is also starting a Piggery Podcast to share interviews, anecdotes, and audio archives from the venue’s long history. “I want to capture some of the magic that makes this place what it is,” he explained.
