A New Cape Breton Musical written by Brenda MacLennan-Dunphy
It is decision time in Big Brook. The Best Wall gypsum mine is coming so the whole community has to leave. Malcolm MacLeod is the only man left in his household consisting of his War Bride wife, three sisters, two nieces and contrary old grandmother Maude. He believes that they should go up the line, and jump on the next passing train leaving Cape Breton. It’s early May, 1950, five years after the war. Malcolm, who was injured on Juno Beach, is still struggling with leaving his best friend (and brother-in-law, Shamus) on that beach. When the neighbours, including a Home Child, Harry; the local historian, John Joe; and the Dutch man, Johann, drop in to say their goodbyes, they reflect on the past and worry about the future. When Malcolm brings a traveler in for tea, unexpected hidden emotions emerge.
The kitchen is crowded as the visitors come in, but Maude is comfortable in her rocking chair close to the stove. It also gets lively as folks share their talents with stories and songs, including some well-loved ones such as Peggy Gordon, Sound the Pibroch, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda, along with some newer ones, such as Company Road’s Carry On, Lisa Cameron’s Harder to Win, Bruce Guthro’s Love Lives On, and Jimmy Rankin’s Movin’ On. There’s romance, sibling rivalry, and some good Gaelic common sense. Blood runs hot in the kitchen, but everyone enjoys a good cup of tea and leaves with a smile.
Displacement is Brenda MacLennan-Dunphy’s third production at Strathspey Place, following up last year’s The Weddin Dance and John Archie and Nellie in 2012. She is putting together another talented crew to piece this story together; one derived from shadows of many people’s lives in Cape Breton. It will remind us of many friends, relatives, and neighbours and bring a bit of history to life. Lisa Cameron is taking the lead on Musical Direction, along with lending her wonderful talents, both in singing and acting as Malcolm’s (played by Barry Fougere) widowed sister, Katie. They will be joined in the kitchen by sisters Libby (Brittany Rankin), Loretta (Adele LeBlanc) and grandmother Maude (Joyce MacDonald). Tracey MacDonnell is playing Malcolm’s War Bride wife, Margaret. Rory MacEachern will play Johann and Dougald MacNeil will be John Joe, two of the visitors. Joel MacLellan is portraying Harry, while Rankin MacEachern takes on the role of Pieter.
The music will be flowing in the kitchen, with the help of backstage musicians under Lisa’s direction. Colin MacDonald will be playing the acoustic guitar; Margie Beaton will be on the fiddle, with Kevin Levesconte on piano. Malcolm Matheson will be lending his talents on both mandolin and acoustic guitar, while Elizabeth Matheson will be supplying the bass line to keep it all together. The range of songs from bred in the bone traditional to brand new, all of which bring the characters to life, will make new memories for all.
Be sure not to miss Displacement at Strathspey Place, Mabou, Saturday, April 19th at 2 pm, and Sunday, April 20th at 7:30 pm. Tickets ($20, $25 day of the show) can be purchased over the phone at 945-5300