Written by
Dorothy Lander
Synopsis
A theatrical pilgrimage of truth and reconciliation in the popular theatre tradition. United Empire Loyalists (mostly Irish), Black Loyalists, Mi'kmaq, and Acadians, return from the dead at the 1784 landing site at Antigonish Harbour, to speak truth to history and to acknowledge that we are all treaty people. The nation-to-nation dialogue between the intergenerational and multi-cultural performers takes the form of pilgrims on a journey as walkers among walkers, often challenging each other's version of history. Period music of Irish Harp, Flute, Mi'kmaw Drum, and Black Spirituals punctuates the story line. Pilgrims on and off stage join in songs and healing rituals.
Language
English
Play Notes
Notes
Development History
Dorothy Lander shaped the script in the summer of 2014 as a joint project of Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!) and the Antigonish Heritage Museum. The the first on-site reading was on October 11, 2014, which included the lead characters of the Narrator, Colon
In 2015, we applied for a grant of $10,000 from the Positive Aging Program, Department of Seniors, Nova Scotia Ministry of Health, and were notified in January 2015 that we were successful. Throughout the winter months, we recruited performers from the cultural groups they were portraying, most of whom were on the stage for the first time. We also expanded our Creative Team to include a Costume Director, Videographer, Stage Manager, Graphic Designer, and Producer. Every rehearsal was a workshopping of the script, in which the Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotians, Acadians, and Irish/Scottish performers along with the creative team negotiated and fine tuned every aspect of the play--the script, the costumes, the props, the musical accompaniment. We became pilgrims on a spiritual journey long before the first production on July 4, 2015.
Performance History
Antigonish Harbour July 4, Sept 6, and Sept. 24, 2015.
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