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Jesse Fulcher-Gagnon performs the role of Elder Brother. The performance will take place in North Battleford Sunday, Feb. 4. (Submitted Photo/Sum Theatre)
Elder Brother

Cree story takes centre ice in North Battleford February. 4

Jan 30, 2024 | 4:48 PM

A story about learning to walk in another’s hooves is coming to North Battleford this weekend.

Sum Theatre and La Troupe du Jour have teamed up to present a Cree story Elder Brother and the Bison as a free 15-minute musical on ice at Connaught School Rink (902 107 Street,) on Sunday, Feb. 4.

“We wanted to make a Theatre on the Rink show because we find that people are always looking for something – something else – that is fun and community based to do in the winter,” said Director Mackenzie Dawson.

“We’re trying to get people out into their public spaces, into their parks, their rinks and put these places, these resources on their radar for where they can go to engage with community and get outside and have fun.”

Dawson, who is Sum Theatre’s artistic director, explained they chose the story because the two companies wanted to build a bridge between different cultural and linguistic gaps within different communities and the show will star Dean Stockdale, Jolanta Bird, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, and Bruce McKay.

“We thought ‘OK, well if we’re trying to create an original piece of theatre, we’re trying to tell a story from here, is there a story in the Cree traditions that we would be able to draw on,’” he said, noting the local relevance.

After speaking with Cultural Leader and Elder Joseph Naytowhow in Saskatoon, who shared the story of Weesageechak (Elder Brother), the theatre groups went to work.

“In theatre we call this collective creation or devised theatre,” he said.

“Maybe you start with a little nugget of a story or some kind of little baseline, but you don’t have a script, you don’t have the songs, it really is as far as theatre goes, it’s theatre from scratch.”

The story revolves around the protagonist who wishes to lead what he believes is the carefree life of bison. He soon learns not all is as it seems.

“In that way, it’s a story about empathy,” he said.

The production development began last year, and Dawson said it’s been a collaboration of ideas.

“It’s really fun, like essentially when you’re making the show in this workshop, it’s a bunch of jam sessions.”

Dawson explained the story will be told in three languages – Cree, English and French and the audience members can expect a mix of a concert at the rink with some interactive elements.

“It’s like this pop-up theatre show really that just feels like it comes out of nowhere,” he said.

With the languages included, Dawson said they extend an invite to the Francophone and Indigenous communities with the hope people feel parts of themselves represented in the show.

“That they feel like it is a story from here.”

The bonus addition of having the performers where skates was out of pure enjoyment.

“It gives you new opportunities of movement, of speed and gliding and it feels so much different from being on a regular stage,” Dawson said.

“We figured if we’re doing a winter show, let’s make the most of winter and that feels like skating.”

The companies will skate two performances at 2 and 3 p.m., and all are welcome to attend.

For performance updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/SumTheatreSaskatoon.

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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