Power and Glory. ItB次元官网网址檚 a powerful combination, with playwright Tracey PowerB次元官网网址檚 compelling tale of Canadiana called Glory finally making its way to the stage at the Chemainus Theatre, starting Sept. 16.

The story of OntarioB次元官网网址檚 Preston Rivulettes is surprisingly little-known in this hockey-mad country. The Rivulettes womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey team set out to prove in 1933 that hockey wasnB次元官网网址檛 just a sport for men.

Through her extensive research, Power brings the inspirational true story of the team to life. The Rivulettes won four Dominion Championships and ten Ontario titles between 1931 and 1940, with a winning record of more than 95 per cent, unmatched in the history of womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey.

Power, whoB次元官网网址檚 originally from Comox, is in Chemainus to conduct the choreography while James MacDonald directs the show.

B次元官网网址淚t came from a photo I found in a book of black and white photos,B次元官网网址� said Power of the first step that led her on the path toward creating the play. B次元官网网址淚 wanted to make sure I knew as much of the story as I could possibly find out.B次元官网网址�

Power and MacDonald are a power couple in the theatre industry with numerous productions to their credit.

Glory has been garnering considerable attention in its limited appearances to date. The first draft was ready in 2017 and the performance debuted in 2018 during a Winter Olympics year at the Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops where MacDonald is the artistic director.

B次元官网网址淎fter that, we did a tour of the same production, spring and summer 2019,B次元官网网址� said MacDonald.

Every production was slightly different, with a combination of varying casts.

Artistic director Mark DuMez was anxious to bring the show to the Chemainus Theatre and it was originally on the ill-fated 2020 schedule eventually wiped out by COVID. HeB次元官网网址檚 a big fan of PowerB次元官网网址檚 staging of interesting stories and had it ready for the lineup whenever full-fledged shows returned and the time is here.

B次元官网网址淭hrough creativity, tenacity and an understanding of seizing opportunity, she has brought us a gem of a story,B次元官网网址� DuMez noted. B次元官网网址淚ts innovative staging of the hockey games uses dance and physical theatre forms that are new to our stage and compelling. And central to the story is a group of women who rise from adversity to claim the ice beneath them B次元官网网址� a celebration of a great Canadian game in theatrical style.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e were always excited about coming to the Island,B次元官网网址� said MacDonald. B次元官网网址淓ven before we did the first show, Mark expressed interest.B次元官网网址�

The innovative and unique performance is sure to catch on with audiences.

B次元官网网址淗opefully, there will be productions outside Canada,B次元官网网址� said Power. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 still cities (in Canada) weB次元官网网址檇 love to bring the show to. ItB次元官网网址檚 sure nice to be here on the Island and close to family and friends.B次元官网网址�

As a big sports fan herself, B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 believe we didnB次元官网网址檛 know this part of our history,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淎s an artist, I wanted to bring it to the forefront and spread the word.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭racey, right from the beginning, wanted to tell it with hockey as the choreography,B次元官网网址� MacDonald pointed out. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 got all the power of a great game and itB次元官网网址檚 got this artistry in a great dance. ItB次元官网网址檚 also got a lot of humour in it. ItB次元官网网址檚 quite moving.B次元官网网址�

He added itB次元官网网址檚 an important story in so many ways.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also the story of camaraderie of people coming together in a small town. ItB次元官网网址檚 really about community and people living together and coming together.B次元官网网址�

For those reasons, it clearly isnB次元官网网址檛 just a sports story, said Power.

B次元官网网址淚 think I always like to say if youB次元官网网址檙e not a hockey fan, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean youB次元官网网址檙e not going to completely relate and get caught up in this story. ItB次元官网网址檚 a universal story in having people on your side.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more than a hockey story,B次元官网网址� stressed MacDonald. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great underdog sports story we all love, but itB次元官网网址檚 a great Canadian story, the fact they were the winningest in Canadian sports history at a time when a womenB次元官网网址檚 hockey league went coast-to-coast in the 1930s.B次元官网网址�

The cast includes: Brian Linds as coach Herb Fach; Kate Dion-Richard as Helen Schmuck and Becky Frohlinger as Margaret Schmuck, who are definitely terrific players and schmucks in name only; Emma Rendell as Hilda Ranscombe and Morgan Yamada as goalie Nellie Ranscombe.

ItB次元官网网址檚 the second time doing the show for Rendell, 31, whoB次元官网网址檚 from Victoria. She performed in Glory during February this year in Prince George and said she only learned about the story when she auditioned.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 astonished I didnB次元官网网址檛 know about this story and it was so new to me and so extraordinary what these women did at the time,B次元官网网址� Rendell said.

She played sports as a kid and has learned some moves from the experience.

B次元官网网址淭he play is about so much more than hockey, I found out,B次元官网网址� she stressed. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been really fun to learn how to play in a fake way.B次元官网网址�

Costume designer Cindy Wiebe did an amazing job putting together the team uniforms. The boots the players wear look very much like skates as they glide across the stage.

And the transformation of the stage to a mini hockey rink by the stage and construction crew is incredible.

YouB次元官网网址檒l have to act fast to get tickets for the show since itB次元官网网址檚 only on until Oct. 9.

Appropriately, the accompanying artist show at the Theatre Gallery features works by legendary Vancouver CanucksB次元官网网址� goaltender Richard Brodeur.

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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