Performers with Bear Grease sit in an empty theatre as they announce that their Prince Albert show was postponed. (Submitted Photo/Crystle Lightning)

By Derek Craddock

IN SOLIDARITY

Canadian productions postpone shows in P.A. to stand with union members on strike

Oct 4, 2023 | 12:00 PM

At least two productions say they will not cross the picket line and have therefore postponed their shows in Prince Albert.

Bear Grease, an Indigenous rendition of the classic musical was scheduled to perform at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre on Oct. 3 while Middle Raged, a live sketch comedy production from Geri Hall and Gary Pearson was to take the stage on Oct. 10.

Both performances have now been postponed as the show’s organizers told paNOW they do not want to cross the picket line and are showing support for EA Rawlinson workers currently on strike.

Crystle Lightning with Bear Grease said as a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1992, she felt taking a stand with CUPE 882 was the right thing.

“In the Theatre World we form a bond with everyone behind the scenes from the light and sound technicians to the Box Office, to the Ushers and Stage Managers,” she said. “We understand that they are the backbone of the Performing Arts, and the show does not happen without them,”

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Lightning, from Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, is a co-creator and actor of Bear Grease and also directs the theatrical production in its current run.

Her resume includes a variety of television and film productions, including appearances on Yellowstone, Three Pines, and the Netflix animated show Spirit Rangers.

Gary Pearson is a Canadian comedian and television whose works include This Hour has 22 Minutes and Corner Gas. Geri Hall, the co-star of Middle Raged is also a cast member of 22 Minutes and is a multiple winner of the Gemini Awards and Canadian Comedy Awards.

So far, these are the only two shows that have been postponed due to the current job action.

Last Saturday, Canadian Country star Corb Lund performed at the EA Rawlinson Centre as part of his North American tour.

Members of CUPE 882 were disappointed after finding out that Lund crossed the picket line to be on stage.

paNOW has reached out to the Feldman Agency, which represents Lund for comment regarding the performance.

Lightning is hopeful that other productions like hers will stand with CUPE 882.

“We understand that not everything is black and white and some artists might decide to cross that line for their own reasons and convictions,” she said. “But even without my personal connection to Theatre and the Performing Arts, just as a humanist, the right thing to do is stand in solidarity with the working class.”

The strike of inside city workers is in its fourth week now with the union recently filing an unfair labour practice complaint against the city after discovering they wanted to keep a call centre in place, claiming the city never notified the union about that change.

In response, the City of Prince Albert said it did provide proper notice and the shift to the call centre will only be moving a few desks and not affect employees salaries and work hours.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com