Theatrical Nostalgia - Billy Bishop Goes to War and Morningside Road

It's interesting that after seeing Big Stuff on the weekend, the next two shows I saw this week learned in heavily to feelings of nostalgia. Nostalgia for eras of history I wasn't even born yet for (WW I and WWII). I had a fascinating conversation after the second one about why we see so many shows dealing with periods of history from before we were born that we somehow are still cognizant of - perhaps due to cultural storytelling in our lifetimes - but also wondering about how'd we write about our youth which was more the 1970s and 1980s and how and why we'd tell those stories... 

I took in the inaugural production from Edmonton Repertory Theatre Company this past week. For their first production they mounted a Canadian Classic, Billy Bishop Goes to War starring Steven Greenfield as Billy Bishop and Cathy Derkach on piano and supporting vocals and sound effects. This is not the first time I've seen this play, in fact I have seen it twice before, but it is a show worth revisiting, and if you've never seen it you should. A large part of that is the excellent script and how it tells and shows the real Canadian World War One hero, Billy Bishop. It's a terrific story with songs and in this production it is animatedly told by Greenfield. He is certainly up to the task of playing the unexpected hero. Known as the worst student ever to come out of the Royal Military College, Bishop becomes a flying Ace in WWI and shoots down a remarkable amount of German planes and receives the highest of military honours for it. Greenfield is physical and flexible as he plays not only Bishop, but a plethora of other characters. He is supported throughout this by Derkach, a gifted pianist and vocalist. I feel this is one of the plays that every Canadian should probably see, and this production, directed by Gerry Potter, is an excellent interpretation of it. The play explores themes of heroism, the cost of war and the brutal realities of conflict, and the creation of a national hero.

The Edmonton Repertory Theatre Company has taken up residence at the Biederman Theatre (inside Lifestyles Options Retirement Community - 17203 99 Ave NW). This is a new space for the Edmonton Theatre community and it's a lovely one. Free parking is available to the West of the building. Billy Bishop Goes to War runs from October 24-November 8, 2025. Tickets run from $23-$40 and are available here.

I also had the opportunity to see the newest iteration of Morningside Road at Shadow Theatre. I had seen the first version of this lovely musical at Fringe in 2023 and recommended it to everyone at the time. The updated version is an expanded two act musical with a full band and additional musical numbers. Morningside Road tells the story of a Girl (played by playwright & composer Mhairi Berg) and her grandmother Elaine (Maureen Rooney). The two are close and the Girl has always been entertained by the stories her grandmother has told her about growing up on Morningside Road in Scotland and how she met her grandfather during World War II before the two of them emigrated to Canada to start a family. As they revisit the stories Berg plays the younger Elaine and we meet her grandfather in the past who is known as the Lad (Cameron Kneteman). But grandmother Elaine is starting to experience dementia and as she deteriorates her stories change and we discover that the actual past was somewhat different from what she's been relaying over the years. I do not want to give too much away, but let's just say, secrets are revealed. The music (by Berg and Simon Abbot) is gorgeous and takes up more space in the story than in the original Fringe production. I absolutely loved That Blessèd Wedding Day and Christmas Stockings and I think those were both new or at least more developed! All three performers are lovely singers and committed to telling this story. I did wish that I was experiencing it for the first time, however, because I knew the big secret so the reveal had less impact on me. I'm curious, if you are seeing it for the first time, how that discovery rings with you.  

I'm so impressed with Shadow Theatre for investing in this show. I love that they are looking at what local artists are doing at Fringe and helping to develop those works further. We have so much incredible talent creating new work in the city and this was a real treat to see in the mainstage season. 

Morningside Road runs to November 2nd so you need to catch it quickly. I was meant to see it a week earlier but shows were canceled due to illness, so I am sorry this is coming so close to the end of the run. Tickets are $25 - $40 and can be purchased here. 

Big Stuff at the Citadel - what are you holding on to?

This weekend, my Mom and I went to Big Stuff at the Citadel Theatre. The show features improvised moments and scenes within a framework wherein actors Naomi Sniekus and Matt Baram tell stories about all their "stuff" (physical) and their "stuff" (emotional and memory). They relate their meeting and tell the stories of their parents who have now all passed away. Throughout the show (and this is the improv stuff), the audience reveals stories about their things. When you arrive at the theatre, there's a notecard on the seat that you write about an object that you have that reminds you of someone close to you. During the show, at key moments, a card is drawn and that audience member is encouraged to tell their story and this is woven into the overall narrative. They also ask questions, like who has been married the longest, which my Mom won at 62 years (she said 62 but remembered later on the way to the car that it was actually 63 years). It was such a lovely show. Very funny both in the planned story and in the quick thinking incorporation of the prompts peppered throughout the show, but is is also touching and heart warming. So it's completely fair to mention that I laughed and I cried and I loved it! As we were leaving my Mom said, "Now that is the kind of theatre I want to see!". 

I've seen Sniekus and Baram before in Toronto in 2013. They are just as quick and in sync today and in a city like Edmonton with such good Improv, they are holding their own with this phenomenal show. It's a must-see!

Big Stuff runs at the Citadel Theatre in the Rice until November 9th. Tickets are $40-$69 and can be purchased here.