Rehearsals for the world premier of Beyond Eden have been taking place since before Christmas at Theatre Calgary, our co-production partner. The cast will begin final rehearsals in Vancouver on Tuesday, in preparation for their first preview on Saturday, Jan. 16 leading up to the official opening on Jan. 21.
We are very excited that The Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC, Governor General of British Columbia, will be attending opening night of this production that has been two decades in the making.
3 Comments
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! I remember going on a field trip as a young child to the new museum of anthropology as a child, it was the first time I had ever seen totem poles. Imagine now some years later to see a show about its controversy, the impression those poles made on me as a child and today, as an adult theatrical artist, to again realize the power of the Aboriginal spirit.
Like a Greek Chorus, the dancers and singers were excellent! All the cast worked great together and some wonderful magic and painting left the opening night audience in stunning awe.
Congratulations to the Playhouse, staff, cast, crew, production team Theatre Calgary, and of course, Max Reimer for an OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION. I rate this show 5 Gold Stars.
The images were striking, the music powerful, and the acting superb. What bothered me was the sequence and ultimately the conclusion. The impression implied at the end was that Wilson was cowed by the Watchman and did nothing to complete the job. Nothing could be further from the truth. Wilson worked diligently to bring the expedition about, and for the rest of his life did his utmost to bring the Haida and the rest of the northwest aboriginals to the attention of the academic and artistic world. Bill Reid came along as a CBC reporter, and his life changed. The Haida were not the proud and confident people they are today. They all co-operated, the poles were taken and helped to serve as inspiration for Bill Reid’s accomplishments and one of the factors which led to the resurgence of Haida pride. Nearly all the elements were there, but the play ended with no sense of accomplishment. Two things happened:- the taking of the poles, and the consequences for the people involved, that is Bill Reid, Wilson, and the Haida. It seems to me that the play should end with a pole RAISING in Haida Gwai.
Beyond Eden
I really liked the subject of this play. It is relevant and timely. It was great to have so many actors with first nations backgrounds. The costumes, the dramatic music, the voices, and the actors performances were all excellent. I also enjoyed the set and the incredible lighting effects.
Sadly, I was disappointed in the play itself. The first Act showed some promise and forward momentum. However, in my view, the second Act was flawed and weak. It failed to bring the first Act to fulfillment and the characters ended up being flat. Wilson’s personal angst just did not develop to the point of significance one would expect of someone discovering that their whole life’s work was spent going down the wrong path. The family-love interest, intended I think to reveal the effect of Wilson’s struggle in his personal life, lacked depth and did not add to the play. In thinking about this over this past weak, I have to conclude that the problem with this play is in the writing. I hope to see it again someday after some re-writes.