A one act play created by Derek Maxfield called Brothers at Odds, The Brisbane Story, opened at the First Presbyterian Church at 300 East Main street on Friday evening.
The 30-minute one act play takes place in the late 1870’s. The play introduces you to George Brisbane, the son of James Brisbane, who was a pioneering resident of Batavia, and was the first merchant in town and served as the first postmaster. James invested in real estate making him very wealthy.
George built the Brisbane Mansion(the current City of Batavia Police Department) with the money he inherited after his father’s death in 1851. (the cupula was rebuilt in the 80s)The highlight of the play is a visit from George’s older brother Albert, the brothers do not see eye to eye on anything and their exchanges show their vast differences in lifestyles. At the close of the play, wife Sarah wonders what will become of their grand home as their only son James chooses to not stay in Batavia. Husband George thought that City government could use the home. The Brisbane Mansion eventually became the home to City Hall from 1915-2004. The City of Batavia Police Department now occupies the building, but will be vacating the former home in the near future that is now in need of repairs. The City of Batavia is looking to sell the property.
A panel discussion after the play asks what should now happen to this historical mansion located at the birthplace of WNY at Rt.5 and Rt. 63.(view panel discussion and questions from audience below)
The next viewing of Brother’s at Odds: The Brisbane Story/panel discussion will be on Saturday June 11, 2022, at 7:00p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 300 East Main street. A third showing is scheduled for Wednesday June 15, 2022 at 7:00p.m. at GCC-Conable Technology Building(Rm. T102)
(The project was made possible with funds from Restart NY Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and NYS Legislature and administered by GoArt!.)