In celebrating the epiphany — the 12th day of Christmas, according to Christian tradition, when the Magi brought gifts to the infant Jesus — St. John’s has once again lived up to its reputation as a party town.

There were actually two parties on Jan. 6, one considerably less rowdy than the other. The first was thrown by a group of archivists at the grand Roman Catholic basilica library, where a splendid collection of nativity scenes from around the world was on show. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this exhibit is how artists reinterpret a religious theme to match their own particular time and place. Needless to say, no bouncers were required.

Later that evening, a considerably less staid celebration took place — this one at the Majestic, a former movie theatre. Floodlights installed outside the building cut into the sky so brightly that everyone in the city would know that this was the opening night party for Canada’s new television series, Republic of Doyle.

The main floor was packed with actors, technicians, journalists and various hangers-on; even more were drawn to the balconies that encircle the interior — horseshoe-like — of this century-old building. Style was on show, as invitees and gatecrashers alike squeezed into fashionable dresses and spiffy sport jackets.

A stampede to the bar ensued after a warning to patrons that the bar would remain closed during the hour-long broadcast; fortunately, spirits were high and no fights broke out.

Soon, the attention of all turned to the myriad television screens littering the venue: Episode 1 of Republic of Doyle had begun. At the opening credits, a muscle car heaves into view and careers along a St. John’s street. Modelled after movie and TV “classics” such as Smokey and the Bandit and Magnum P.I.,this CBC series features a father-and-son team of private investigators.

Although Jake Doyle, played by Allan Hawco, hardly conjures up the square-jawed he-man played by Tom Selleck or Burt Reynolds, like these titans of yesteryear, Doyle scores easily with the ladies and beats villains senseless while solving crimes with devil-may-care panache.

St. John’s is described by Republic of Doyle’s creators as a character within the show, and the city’s distinctive pastel-coloured row houses are certainly on display. Reviews are still trickling in, but whether the show is renewed for a second season will be determined by how it fares in the crucial television ratings competition.

Many local hopes are pinned on the commercial success of Republic of Doyle, and not just from the hundreds of people employed, mostly part-time, in Newfoundland and Labrador’s struggling film industry. At the Majestic, in a roped-off VIP section of the balcony, Premier Danny Williams and four cabinet ministers joked casually with Hawco and other cast members.

Last year, the provincial government committed $1.5 million in film equity funding to Republic of Doyle. This investment enabled producers to obtain a further $3 million through the Newfoundland and Labrador film and video tax credit.

While the optics of having Williams — a multimillionaire — place himself aloof from the rabble behind velvet ropes were not politically advantageous, the fact that he was there at all indicates the importance he has placed on building cultural industries within Newfoundland and Labrador.

This province continues to produce more than its fair share of successful actors, writers, musicians and performers. Unfortunately, most of them must take their talents to Halifax, Toronto, New York or Hollywood in order to make a living, and it is within these centres that the economic spinoffs are realized.

Keeping talent at home, through vehicles such as Republic of Doyle, is critical to achieving the potential of this province’s dynamic culture. Certainly, a lot of people are hoping that Jake Doyle ensnares Canadian viewers as easily as he captures crooks prowling the streets of St. John’s. IE