Showcase Theatre Festival PO Box 950 - 2697 Dunsmuir Avenue Cumberland, BC V0S 1S0 Phone: (250) 336-8840 |
||
|
|
'Coal
Dust' selections to open Miners' Weekend
The musical, written and composed by David Warrack, will be directed by artistic director: Jeff Hyslop, and feature six of the professional company in scenes and songs, with pianist Sarah Hagen. "Jeff Hyslop Productions and Showcase are still actively seeking funding to present the musical in a much longer run in their new home at Cumberland United Centre for the Arts, but are also happy to present these 'one-nighters' which also gives us an opportunity to fine tune the musical," said managing director Vincent Dupuis. "Other fundraising efforts include an Artists Walk, which will also take place in Cumberland and begin on Miner's Memorial Weekend." Coal Dust is a world premiere of a new work based on the rich, multi-cultural heritage of Cumberland, BC and the life and times of Albert "Ginger" Goodwin. BC's mining industry was born in the coalfields of Vancouver Island and the coal mines of Cumberland were among the most dangerous in Canada. The appalling conditions in the mines impelled the miners to organize and involve various unions. Goodwin was a coal miner and union activist who lost his life under suspicious circumstances in July, 1918. These were times of hardship and extreme poverty as a country prepared for war, but in Coal Dust the audience will see that the weekly soccer game, a Saturday night dance, and a naïve romance were life's provided relief and allowed the strengths of the human spirit to prevail. Dancing in the Coal Dust features some familiar faces from the Showcase Theatre Festival as well as some new cast members. Ginger Goodwin is played by Neil Minor, Sylvia Zaradic plays Bette, the proprietor of the 'Bucket of Blood Saloon,' John Payne plays miner and union leader Joe Naylor, Lindsay Sterk plays miner Arthur 'Duffy' Boothman, Gordon Roberts plays the Special Constable and Samantha Currie plays Mary Clark, Ginger's sweetheart. Pianist Sarah Hagen is a sought-after soloist and chamber musicial who plays around the world. She was named the Comox Valley's Cultural Ambassador of the Year in 2006. Tickets to see selections of this new work will be available at the door for $20. Call 336 -8840 for more details.
|
|
General
· 17th June 2008 Dancing In The Coal Dust Jeff Hyslop Productions and Showcase are still actively seeking funding to present the musical in a much longer run in their new home at Cumberland United Centre for the Arts, but are also happy to present these ‘one-nighters’ which also gives us an opportunity to fine tune the musical. Other fundraising efforts include an Artists Walk, which will also take place in Cumberland and begin on Miner’s Memorial Weekend. “Coal Dust” is a World Premiere of a “new work” based on the rich, multi-cultural heritage of Cumberland, BC and the life and times of Albert “Ginger” Goodwin. BC’s mining industry was born in the coalfields of Vancouver Island. The coal mines of Cumberland were among the most dangerous in Canada. The appalling conditions in the mines impelled the miners to organize and involve various unions. “Ginger” Goodwin was a coal miner and union activist who lost his life under suspicious circumstances in July, 1918. These were times of hardship and extreme poverty as a country prepared for war. A weekly soccer game, a Saturday night dance, and a naïve romance were life’s only relief and yet, the strengths of the human spirit prevailed. Synopsis ACT I - Life in the coal mining town of Cumberland, B.C. circa 1910 was not unlike the wild west as we knew it….the townsfolk surviving in a rough and muddy time of great simplicity, overwhelming poverty and political unrest. Seeds for the first BIG STRIKE of 1912 were laid, as the world around them prepared for World War I. But still there was a singular voice of optimism arriving in their midst……. ACT II - As World War I continues on the battlefields of Europe, life resumes post strike with the ongoing battle between Labour and Management. Survival is critical as the miners rally behind their ‘voice of hope’ unaware of powerful political actions that would lead to the silencing of their ‘shooting star’…….. Admission is $20 – tickets at the door |
||
| Showcase finds a home in Cumberland with church
partnership.
By Jules Xavier - Comox Valley Record - June 10, 200 "We have a home." With that comment, Jeff Hyslop is looking forward to bringing music, play readings and, perhaps in the future, Dancing in the Coal Dust, to the Comox Valley via Cumberland United Church. The congregation of Cumberland United Church, under pastor Peter Thompson, have entered a creative partnership starting June 1 with Jeff Hyslop Productions and the Coal Dust Theatre Company, formerly Showcase Theatre Festival, to create a centre for excellence in the fine arts of theatre, music, dance and visual arts at the church. According to Hyslop, this unique and beautiful historic venue often referred to as “the Miner’s Church," with its natural acoustics lends itself to an intimate experience in the fine arts. Earlier this year, the church was home to the first public reading of the brilliant new musical Dancing In The Coal Dust and endeared itself to the performers and audience alike. "This is an ideal venue for us for intimate performances, and the space can also accommodate the Coal Dust production itself," said Hyslop. "It will serve as a perfectly suitable venue, while we all await the renovation of the historic ILO ILO Theatre, and we would be pleased to continue the association on a permanent basis.” Hyslop said the relationship creating the Cumberland United Centre for the Arts is being modeled after the highly successful example of Trinity-St. Paul's and the Taffelmusique Baroque orchestra in Toronto. The needs of the church and congregation will always be a priority for Hyslop. Jeff Hyslop Productions and “the Centre” plan basic improvements to the Chancel area by installation of a permanent stage and dance floor that is also suitable for Sunday services, weddings and funerals. At the same time, the Cumberland United Centre for the Arts can see itself becoming a cultural destination for the fine arts in Cumberland as well as the Comox Valley. "The elements in the church are portable, so you won't notice any changes going to church on Sunday," noted Vincent Dupuis. "From Monday to Friday it's a theatre space where we can put on classic concerts or have Shakespeare readings," added Hyslop. "They do this in Vancouver and it pays for itself … and keeps the public interested." Hyslop is aiming for this fall, once construction work is completed, to start bringing in concerts, whether a jazz quartet or a symphony, plus play readings. "The acoustics for musicians is just fantastic," he said. "I'm really excited about this being a performance venue." Meanwhile, while Dancing in the Coal Dust won't make its full debut in the foreseeable future, a condensed version of the original play will be performed a few times this summer. A smaller version of the musical will be performed initially June 27 during the Miners Memorial, then July 26 in Campbell River and the following day, also at the Cumberland church. Hyslop said the musical has also been invited to the Vancouver Taiwanese Lantern Festival Sept. 1 where more than 65,000 people are expected to attend. |
||
Take
an artistic walk in Cumberland The Cumberlander -
June 6th, 2008 Take a walk in Cumberland and enjoy art. That’s the premise for the inaugural Cumberland artists walk, which is a joint fundraising project for the musical Dancing In The Coal Dust, the Cumberland Community Forest Society and the Cumberland Museum, in liaison with the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce. According to Vincent Dupuis, the project features 12 professional visual artists from Cumberland as well as the Comox Valley who have created, and will each donate a painting depicting either scenic sites of the community or historic sites featured in the new play Dancing In The Coal Dust. The musical is the story of local legend Ginger Goodwin, who was killed by police more than eight decades ago. “The paintings will be on display throughout the community for the summer and be auctioned live and on-line in September,” noted Dupuis. The paintings will be displayed throughout the community at the following venues: Cumberland Credit Union, Tarbells Coffee Gallery, the Old Post Office. Co-ordinators for the artist walk are John Mortenson and Dwayne Rourke. Here are the artists involved and what they focused on for their artistic creation: April Lafferty Cumberland Hotel, Betty Boyle The Painted Lady, Bev Byerley The United Church, Brian Scott House On Camp Road, Clive Powsey Old Post Office, Dan Gray Comox Lake, Dwayne Rourke Twisted Chimney House, Gretchen Markle ILO ILO, Ja Whitcombe Boarding House, Jessica Titley Community Church, John Mortenson Jumbo’s Cabin, Lucy Schappy artwork not available as she’s away in Spain, Robin de Lavis The Manse and Teresa Wild Goodwin's Grave. There will be a brochure on the artists walk to give art enthusiasts interested in seeing the finished work directions on where to visit. Call 336-8840. |
||
ONLINE
FIRST Politics alleged in Showcase Festival BC150 funding snub The role of politics in provincial funding grants is being questioned this week by Showcase Theatre Festival managing director Vincent Dupuis. Since an application for BC150 funding to help launch a Comox Valley-written musical about the life of Ginger Goodwin, was denied last week, Dupuis has questioned if it's the political background of their subject's life that was the real reason for refusal. "To us, it's a real slap in the face — a real slap in the face of the history of Cumberland, to the mining industry, to the labour movement," said Dupuis this week. While they were initially told their project, Dancing in the Coal Dust, was exactly what the funding criteria was seeking, Dupuis and artistic director Jeff Hyslop learned last week that the jury from the Assembly of B.C. Arts Councils had in fact voted to not grant the $10,000 Showcase had requested. Dupuis said he saw a connection to the fact that BC Liberal Comox Valley MLA Stan Hagen, as minister of tourism, sport and the arts, is responsible for the BC150 Years program. Goodwin's controversial history as a labour activist killed while dodging the draft, isn't something the Liberal provincial government has been supportive of promoting. "To us, this is not a work of politics; it's a piece of art," said Dupuis about the play they've been trying to get off the ground. Hagen was unable to speak personally to the Record, but did submit a statement in response to the concerns raised by Dupuis in a letter to the editor, saying that he has nothing to do with choosing who gets funding. "BC150 is a great opportunity for the Comox Valley to celebrate our shared history and diversity. The Comox Valley is benefiting from programs like the B.C. Spirit Squares, BC 150 NAIG Spirit Pole Tour, local museums and arts funding, schools programs and new exhibitions that will create legacies for generations to enjoy," said the statement. "With regards to the Showcase Theatre Festival, it is my understanding that they applied for a BC 150 grant from the Assembly of BC Arts Councils and were unsuccessful. That program was administered and adjudicated independently by the Assembly of BC Arts Councils." Dupuis, however, argues that Dancing in the Coal Dust — a locally produced product with potential for economic benefit while celebrating the area's history — being denied funding just seems fishy. After all, he said, the heritage dressup tent for the Campbell River kids festival received $7,500. "We just don't know what to do — maybe they do just want us to go away, whoever 'they' is," he said. Other projects in the Comox Valley that have received funding through the BC150 include the Black Creek Community Association's anniversary heritage fair, the Comox Valley Fall Fair's historical display, the Comox Valley Heritage Experience road show, a Comox Archives and Museum Society project and Courtenay and District Museum exhibit on Sid Williams. That funding also contributed to the Cumberland Village Square announcement made last year, and the Spirit Pole tour, which came to the Comox Valley in May. |
||
Coal
Dust dream stays alive
In other words, 'The show must go on.' The show is Dancing in the Coal Dust, a new musical about the life and times of controversial labour leader Ginger Goodwin. Set in Cumberland, Coal Dust spans Goodwin's arrival in the coal-mining town back in 1909, up until July 27, 1918, the day he was shot in the woods around the village.
Showcase Festival musical director David Warrack wrote and composed the musical. Hyslop is the director/choreographer. Coal Dust was already in rehearsal/development when the Showcase Festival announced in late March that it was pulling the plug on the 2008 season when grant applications didn't come through. But Hyslop - an internationally-acclaimed performer/dancer/choreographer and veteran of the stage from Broadway to London and Canada - knows potential when he sees it in a play. Coal Dust, he insists, will not be allowed to bite the dust. He almost glows with enthusiasm for the project. "I'm very excited, very excited about it," he said in a Campbell River TV interview. "It's only delayed." He's not yet sure how the show will come together, but we should expect to see and hear more about it in the months to come. The Showcase Festival plans to 'sub-contract' the production and other theatre presentations to a new entity called Jeff Hyslop Productions. Hyslop doesn't yet have a home for the musical, but vows not to let that stop him. "I've threatened to do it on a deck somewhere, Dunsmuir and First Avenue down in Cumberland, if I have to to start it," he said. "I'll do it anywhere. Give me the chance. I have 10 incredibly committed actors that are just waiting for this project to happen. We're right on the brink of production, of design, of costumes, of lighting, of thinking about all those 'how-to's. We've been speaking with the (Cumberland) United Church where we did our February reading of Coal Dust, as a possible place for us to workshop, a place for us to do smaller shows. It's a 200-seat auditorium. Just recently they have accepted that and we might even be calling it 'The United Cumberland Arts Centre' because of our involvement developing Coal Dust." Hyslop said he wants to start by taking parts of the show out from behind the curtain in the months to come. "I'm going to titillate everybody," he said "We're going to do a bunch of one-offs, which means we'll take 30-minutes of the show, I'll ring over my performers. We're going to do the Miners' Memorial Weekend in Cumberland (in June). We're doing the Taiwanese Lantern Festival in Vancouver on Labour Day. We're going to do about 40-minutes of the show. I'm determined that we're going to do this and get the interest up." Of course he and many others are also doing what actors, directors, producers and others in the theatre world do, waiting and hoping for funding applications to come through to help with the up-front costs. Hyslop hopes an application to BC 150 - a seemingly natural fit for a musical about BC history - will come through this month. He said he's forgotten how many grant applications they've written. "We've written so many grants," he said. "This is what you do. We're there, we're applying and we're working as hard as we can to keep it alive. I would love this fall to happen. I'm dreaming, because that's a fast order, but things can happen quickly and we're ready to go on so many levels. That's the beauty of where we are." You'll be hearing more from Hyslop in the weeks and months to come, because you can't keep a good story down. That's the secret of anything, I think, to just keep telling your story," he said. "We have to. That's our job in life, to keep telling our story as proud Canadians. We have to validate who we are all the time. There's so much talent. There's so much undeveloped resource. It's everywhere. "That's what I'm interested in. That's why the Coal Dust story was so interesting to me. This was just sitting here not being told. And that's just one story." |
||
| The Cumberlander General · 18th February
2008
Billed as a "miner's musical" based on the life and times of Cumberland's famous labor martyr Ginger Goodwin, "Dancing In the Coal Dust" couldn't be more "Cumberland." I count myself fortunate to have been a part of the audience for this historic presentation at Cumberland United Church where even the church bell rang as part of the presentation! Well done Showcase and welcome to our town. You have gifted Cumberland with a great start to Heritage Week 2008, underway now until Saturday, culminating in our annual Heritage Faire at the CRI. And for those of you who don't already know, a wee preview of "Dancing" will be presented at the closing of the Faire. Be there or be square! Dancing in the Coal Dust: A World Premier Performance This new Musical celebrates the rich, multi-cultural history of Cumberland, BC, and the life and times of Albert “Ginger” Goodwin. Written and composed by David Warrack, this new work promises to bring Cumberland’s colourful history to life. BC’s mining industry was born in the coalfields of Vancouver Island. The coal mines of Cumberland were among the most dangerous in Canada. The appalling conditions in the mines impelled the miners to organize and involve various unions. “Ginger” Goodwin was a coal miner and union activist who lost his life under suspicious circumstances in July, 1918. These were times of hardship and extreme poverty as a country prepared for war. A weekly soccer game, a Saturday night dance, and a naïve romance were life’s only relief and yet, the strengths of the human spirit prevailed. Written and composed by David
Warrack |
||
| ©2008 Showcase Theatre Festival Society All Rights Reserved |
||