Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Lifestyle

Riveting Tale of First Nations on the Front Lines in WWI Drama REDPATCH

Presentation House Theatre29 Mar '17 to 16 Apr '17 @ 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Riveting Tale of First Nations on the Front Lines in WWI Drama REDPATCH
Hardline Productions presents the world premiere of its historical drama REDPATCH, March 29 – April 9, 2017 at Presentation House Theatre and April 12 – 16, 2017 at Studio 16. Opening on the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the moving production follows the story of a young Métis volunteer solider from the Nuu-chah-nulth nation of Vancouver Island deployed to fight in the First World War. Set in both Canada and the battlefields of France, REDPATCH traces the journey of this young solider as he endures trench warfare and discrimination as a result of his aboriginal heritage.
 
The creation of REDPATCH necessitated extensive research into a number of niches, including the history of WWI, First Nations cultural practices, and the obscured history of aboriginal volunteering and enlistment in the war efforts. To ensure the story was faithfully told, Calvert and Oliver – who also directs the work – spent as many hours in libraries as they did travelling out to remote First Nations communities, including Nootka Island, which their fictional protagonist calls home.
 
Close to four thousand Native men (Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis) served in the Canadian Forces in the Great War, an extraordinary number given the limited civil rights accorded to these people at the time. Canadian Federal policy extended many post-war benefits to First Nations veterans, however since many men had given up their status in order to enlist, these veterans were denied any benefits upon their return to Canada. 
 
The title of this work, REDPATCH, is drawn from an incident at the Battle of Somme. Canada was still part of the British Empire in 1916, and British officers were having difficulty distinguishing their men from the colonial armies who fought alongside them. To distinguish the Canadian First Division, who wore similar uniforms to British, a single red patch was applied to their left shoulders.
 
In honour of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge this April 9, 2017, Hardline Productions will host three ceremonial presentations prior to their performance of REDPATCH on April 7, 8, and 9 at 8pm. The ceremonies will consist of blessings by Bob Baker, First Nations Cultural Advisor, Performer and Co-founder of Eagle Song Dancers; Captain Robert MacDonald, CD FSA Scot, Curator Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives; and Nyla Carpentier, Assistant Director and Cultural Consultant of REDPATCH. 
 
Hardline Productions presents REDPATCH
 
Dates: March 29 – April 9, 2017
Presentation House Theatre
333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver, BC, V7M 3G9
Pre-Show Ceremonial Presentations: April 7, 8, 9, 2017 at 8pm
Post-Show Talkback hosted by Sean Harris Oliver: April 7, 2017
 
April 12 – 16, 2017
Studio 16
1555 7th Ave. West Vancouver, BC, V6J 1S1
Post-Show Talkback hosted by Sean Harris Oliver: April 13, 2017       
 
Ticket prices:  $15 to $33
 
Box Office: Presentation House Theatre: phtheatre.org/box-office/tickets
 
Studio 16: theatrewire.com
 
Event Location Presentation House Theatre
Address: 333 Chesterfield Ave
Post Code: V7M 3G9

MORE Lifestyle ARTICLES

Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble

Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble

2750 Granville St., at 12th Ave. | 02/03/2017 - 05/03/2017

AN EVENING WITH THE TONY AWARD–WINNING CANADIAN THEATRE LEGEND

Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble

02/03/2017 - 05/03/2017

Hopes and Dream Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association

12350 Pattullo Pl, | 31/03/2017 - 31/03/2017

Alisha Janniff and Billionaire Events presents the first annual Hopes and Dream Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Hopes and Dream Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association

31/03/2017 - 31/03/2017

SHIAMAK Dance Team and School Students to Dance Against Bullying

SHIAMAK Dance Team and School Students to Dance Against Bullying

11447 82 Ave | 21/02/2017 - 21/02/2017

The SHIAMAK Vancouver Dance Team will perform a flash mob along with thousand students from four schools from the Lower Mainland. 

SHIAMAK Dance Team and School Students to Dance Against Bullying

21/02/2017 - 21/02/2017

Tomboy Survival Guide

Tomboy Survival Guide

13450 – 104 Avenue | 10/03/2017 - 10/03/2017

Tomboy Survival Guide references Coyote’s latest book of the same name. 

Tomboy Survival Guide

10/03/2017 - 10/03/2017

Celebrate Family/Valentine’s Day at FlyOver Canada

Celebrate Family/Valentine’s Day at FlyOver Canada

Canada Place, 201-999 Canada Pl | 13/02/2017 - 14/02/2017

There's plenty of opportunity to enjoy this exciting double feature. 

Celebrate Family/Valentine’s Day at FlyOver Canada

13/02/2017 - 14/02/2017

Ballet BC announces Program 2 of its 2016/17 Season

Ballet BC announces Program 2 of its 2016/17 Season

650 Hamilton St | 16/03/2017 - 18/03/2017

PROGRAM 2 features world premieres by choreographers Wen Wei Wang, Company 605, Lesley Telford, and the return of critically acclaimed Solo Echo by Crystal Pite.

Ballet BC announces Program 2 of its 2016/17 Season

16/03/2017 - 18/03/2017
PrevNext