Stage Door News
Stage Door News
On November 1 & 2, 2018, the Living Arts Centre presents Cottagers & Indians, a Tarragon Theatre production written by Obijwa playwright Drew Hayden Taylor and starring Herbie Barnes and Brooke Johnson.
Based on media reports which surfaced in 2015, Cottagers & Indians epitomizes the unfortunate differences between cultures, economic status, and people. Described as “an uplifting piece of Canadiana” (Mooney on Theatre), the play explores an unravelling neighbourly feud with a significant twist, describing a years-long dispute between cottage owners on Pigeon Lake and a rice farmer named James Whetung. Cottagers & Indians gives audiences a sincere and pragmatic look at the current conflicts between First Nations’ traditional water usage and property owners in cottage country who are looking to enjoy an undisturbed summer getaway.
Drew Hayden Taylor (Gemini, Dora, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee, Ontario Premier’s Award-winner and more), exposes the absurdity that comes from these kinds of arguments, and touches on the severity of its historical implications. Mixing conflict and comedy has helped define Drew Hayden Taylor’s playwriting career; although the situation that inspired Cottagers & Indians was anything but funny, he uses humour to deliver the story. Originally from the Curve Lake First Nations himself, Taylor feels a strong connection to Indigenous issues, and hopes to use his talents to shed light on these hardships.
A firm believer that one can teach, explore and heal through humour, Taylor explains, “I think the vast majority of contemporary Native literature explores and details the darker aspects of Aboriginal history and deals with being oppressed, depressed and suppressed, which is all valid […] There was an elder from the Blood Reserve who once told me that in his opinion, for Native people, humour is the WD-40 of healing. So I try and use that in all my work. I try to be a healer.” (CBC Radio)
Tickets are $35 and up, available for purchase online or through the LAC Box Office. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Box Office to receive a discount.
Purchase tickets:
905-306-6000
Photo: Herbie Barnes and Tracey Hoyt. ©2018 Cylla von Tiedemann.
2018-10-05
Mississauga: The Living Arts Centre presents "Cottagers and Indians" November 1 and 2