Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Grand Theatre is thrilled to bring Vigilante, a powerful reimagining of the infamous Donnelly Massacre, to the MainStage. One of Canada’s leading theatre companies, Edmonton’s Catalyst Theatre brings the Donnelly story home as it launches the national tour of Vigilante in London, just a few kilometres from where it began and ended. Vigilante opens February 7, three days after the anniversary of the February 4 massacre in 1880.
The show takes audiences back to the Roman Line to hear from the Donnellys as they recount land disputes, barn burnings, run-ins with the law, and the brewing violence that has become a local legend. Watch the trailer. Gripping and provocative, Vigilante was inspired by the story of Johannah and James Donnelly, Irish immigrants who settled in Lucan, Ontario in the mid-nineteenth century. Their story has attracted writers and historians over the years, but many of the facts remain elusive. There have been as many different versions of their tale as there have been writers who’ve told it.
Vigilante creator and director, Jonathan Christenson, is one of the leading artistic directors in Canada; his hit musical about Edgar Allan Poe, Nevermore, played off-Broadway in New York, and he was recently nominated for the 2016 Siminovitch Award. “It’s thrilling for not only me, but the cast and crew, to bring Vigilante to London, just a few miles from where this story all began. To bring it home, to where it began, brings a new dimension to this iconic Canadian tragedy,” said Christenson.
This new production from Catalyst Theatre opened last year to rave reviews. After the show closes at The Grand on February 11, the production continues on its national tour, travelling to Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, then to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Other dates to be announced.
The cast is made up of acclaimed Canadian artists. Eric Morin, who plays one of the sons, John, is from London and an alumnus of The Grand’s High School Project. Jan Alexandra Smith (Johannah Donnelly) has appeared in major roles at the Shaw Festival, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, and the Royal Alex, among others. David Leyshon, who plays James Donnelly, returns to The Grand (A Christmas Carol) and has appeared at Theatre Calgary, Theatre Aquarius, Stratford and Shaw festivals. The rest of the Donnelly clan is played by Kris Joseph (Daniel Donnelly), Lucas Meeuse (Johnny Donnelly), Carson Nattrass (Will Donnelly), Scott Walters (Tommy Donnelly), and Benjamin Wardle (Michael Donnelly).
“The Donnellys of Vigilante are unapologetically imaginary,” said creator and Vigilante director, Jonathan Christenson. “Their story is closer to a dream of what might have happened than a representation of the historical Donnellys - a “what if,” inspired by the fragments of historical fact that we have at our disposal: what if there were such a thing as ghosts? And what if those ghosts could speak? The story they might tell would be as much a love story as it would be a story of hate, a story told by those who’ve never had the chance to speak – the imaginary ghosts of the Donnelly boys themselves.”
Vigilante is on stage for 6 performances only. Tickets range from $29.95 to $82.50 (includes HST and CIF – prices subject to change), and are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.
Catalyst Theatre’s tour of Vigilante is generously supported by The Community Initiatives Program of Alberta Culture and Tourism; The Canada Council for the Arts; and The Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Catalyst Theatre would also like to thank Betty Moulton and the Edmonton Opera. catalysttheatre.ca
VIGILANTE PRODUCTION CREDITS
Book, music, & lyrics by Jonathan Christenson
A Catalyst Theatre Production
Premiere commissioned by the Citadel Theatre (Edmonton)
Developed with the support of Canada’s National Arts Centre
Photo: Jan Alexandra Smith and cast of Vigilante. ©2015 Dave DeGagné and Brad Gibbons.
2017-01-26
London: Calalyst Theatre launches its national tour of "Vigilante" at the Grand Theatre February 7