Community Mourns the Passing of 4th Line Theatre Founder Robert Winslow

By Scott Arnold

The community is mourning the loss of a true local theatre pioneer, Robert Winslow, whose vision and passion helped make 4th Line Theatre a cultural landmark in the region.

Robert Winslow founded 4th Line Theatre in 1992 on his family's 100-acre farm just south of Millbrook, creating an outdoor theatre that would become known for bringing the history and stories of the region to the stage. (photo courtesy of 4th Line theatre)

Winslow, who co-founded 4th Line Theatre with Jerome Ackhurst in 1992, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 12th, in Peterborough.

For more than four decades, Winslow was involved in Canadian theatre as an actor, playwright, director and artistic leader.

His theatre journey began in Peterborough, where his first production was as a prompter with the Peterborough Theatre Guild. He went on to perform in productions at Trent University and Magic Circus Theatre before moving west in 1982 and becoming a professional actor based in Edmonton.

Winslow returned to Peterborough in the late 1980s, where he founded East City Productions, an improvisational theatre company, and became one of the founding members of the Union Theatre Collective.

In 1992, Winslow co-founded 4th Line Theatre with Jerome Ackhurst on his family’s 100-acre farm just south of Millbrook.

The company would go on to become a distinctive part of the local arts community, presenting original plays connected to the people, history and stories of the region.

The first play presented at 4th Line Theatre was Winslow’s The Cavan Blazers, which explored tensions between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in the region and was inspired by actual events in Cavan Township in the 1850s.

According to his 4th Line Theatre biography, Winslow wrote or co-wrote 18 plays for the company and also directed and acted in several productions.

His work with 4th Line Theatre helped create opportunities for actors, writers and other theatre professionals while bringing audiences to the farm in Millbrook for performances unlike those found in a traditional theatre setting.

Winslow’s longtime collaboration with playwright Ian McLachlan also produced a number of plays for 4th Line Theatre, including Dr. Barnardo’s Children, which told the story of British Home Children who were brought to Canada from England.

“Robert was the driving force behind 4th Line Theatre for decades,” said Board Chair Ally Pyle. “His vision for collecting and creating local stories set the benchmark for everything the theatre has become. His loss is immeasurable.”

Although Winslow eventually passed the artistic director role to Kim Blackwell, his connection to 4th Line Theatre continued.

In fact, Blackwell says Winslow remained deeply involved in the work right up until his death.

“Robert was still actively researching and writing plays right up until the day before his death,” Blackwell said. “He was always excited to be gathering stories and bringing the history of Millbrook and area to life. He was my mentor and artistic collaborator for 34 years. Our loss is Canadian theatre’s loss as well.”

Winslow was born in Peterborough and raised in Millbrook. Throughout his career, he worked as an actor, director and writer across Canada and the United States before returning to the area and eventually inheriting his family’s farm.

He was also an instructor in Trent University’s Cultural Studies Department for more than two decades and was part of the groups that formed City Stage and the Union Theatre in Peterborough.

His impact on the local theatre community will be remembered through the company he helped create and the many productions that grew from his vision.

Winslow is survived by his wife, Janette Froncz Winslow, as well as many cousins, nephews, a niece and other beloved family members.

Details regarding a celebration of Winslow’s life will be announced at a later date.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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