Theatre

Canadian Rajah in The Slotkin Letter

History, News, Theatre

This past weekend, Dave Carley’s new play, Canadian Rajah, premiered at Campbell House!  This fascinating play caught the eye of Lynn Slotkin of The Slotkin Letter, who commented: “This took place in the grand ballroom in Campbell House Museum, a terrific venue if you have never been and so suitable for the play.” Our historical ballroom becomes Ranee Ghita’s drawing room, where the incredible true story of Esca Brooke is revealed. The epic showdown between Ranee (Barbara Worthy) and Esca (Jon de Leon) over his plea to have his heritage acknowledged happens right there. To read Lynn’s full review: http://slotkinletter.com/category/playgoer.

Canadian Rajah Cast Change

History, News, Theatre

We are delighted that Barbara Worthy has stepped in to take on the role of Ranee of Sarawak. Barbara will be performing starting February 1. Unfortunately, Chick Reid was forced to withdraw due to illness but we are happy to inform you that she is making a great recovery.

Barbara Worthy is a writer/director/producer/performer. She has enjoyed a twenty-year association with the Shaw Festival, a career which has included acting, writing and producing for that theatre. For two decades she has also worked as a drama and documentary producer for CBC Radio.

The Making of Canadian Rajah, new play at Campbell House

Events, History, News, Theatre

 

From left to right: Chick Reid, Dave Carley, Jon de Leon

Canadian Rajah tickets available HERE.

 

Dave Carley first became aware of Esca Brooke twenty years ago. By chance the playwright had come across a 1996 history by Australian professor Cassandra Pybus. Her book, The White Rajahs of Sarawak uncovered the story of Esca, a young man who should have become Rajah of Sarawak but, instead, was exiled from the British protectorate. Dave was initially intrigued by the physical span of Esca’s journey, from tropical Sarawak (now part of Malaysia) to Madoc, Ontario, poised on the edge of the Canadian Shield. But by book’s end Dave found himself obsessed by the dramatic arc of Esca’s life in Canada – and his obsessive hunt to have his heritage acknowledged.

 

That quest for recognition – and the dramatic showdown between Esca and Ranee Brooke, the woman who sent him into exile – forms the dramatic core of Canadian Rajah. It’s a true story, an international one – and very, very Canadian. The play is being performed by two well-known actors – Chick Reid and Jon De Leon – in the ballroom at Campbell House. The setting will perfectly recall the elegant London drawing room of Ranee Ghita, the second wife of Esca’s father, Rajah Charles Brooke. In the play, Esca has travelled there to plead his case. The Ranee lies in wait for him, armed with a barbed tongue, determined to send Esca back to the backwoods.

 

Over the course of writing Canadian Rajah, Dave has become friends with Esca Brooke’s Canadian descendants. In fact, Esca’s two surviving granddaughters have played an active consulting role in the play’s creation. Esca’s numerous descendants live mostly in Toronto and the Ottawa area and will be attending the upcoming run of the play.

 

Dave Carley’s plays have been produced widely across Canada and the United States.

 

Canadian Rajah’s world premiere is on January 30, 2019. The play will run for three weeks at Campbell House, closing on Sunday, February 17.

 

Some performances have already sold out – Get your tickets now at: canadianrajah.bpt.me

The 6th Degree: Interactive Theatre Show at Campbell House

Events, News, Theatre

Thursday, May 9th / 2002; The body of 30-year-old Chloe Traeger was found brutally murdered in the basement of her own home through what appeared to be some kind of sinister sacrificial ceremony. The Hastings County Police Department believe of the 6 suspects they have rounded up so far, they are definitely harbouring the guilty party.

The Police Chief has them contained in an unused witness protection house somewhere outside of Marmora, Ontario; they are each in their own locked, guarded room waiting to be questioned. Youll have to scan through the case files of the suspects, look over photographs taken at the scene of the crime, and examine physical evidence found on the night of to aid in this disturbing investigation.

As an officer of the Hastings County Police, it is up to you and your partner to talk to, question, and interrogate these suspects in order to decipher not only the truth of this complex and harrowing crime, but determine who exactly is the most culpable of the murder of Chloe Traeger.

Be warned, this investigation contains content involving crimes of a sexual and religious nature, explicit images of the results of this crime, interacting directly with those that may be involved in said crime, walking around the house for an extended period of time, climbing stairs to multiple levels of the house, and potentially working with a friend to solve a case the likes of which this precinct has never seen before.

Also be warned, once the interrogation period starts, you will NOT be allowed to join in late; please arrive early or on time if you expect to be a part of this investigation.

The max number of investigators taking part in this process is 16, and everyone will be split into pairs of 2. If you arrive with another partner, you may work together. If you arrive with 2 others (Making 3 of you), expect to get split up; the outlier will either have to work with a stranger or figure things out on their own.

This is a two-and-a-half hour process. Drink a strong coffee, wear comfy shoes & roll up your sleeves; its going to be a long night.

Show dates and times:
May 23, 6 pm & 9 pm
May 24, 6 pm ONLY
May 25, 6 pm ONLY
May 26, 9 pm ONLY
May 30, 6 pm & 9 pm
May 31, 6 pm ONLY
June 1, 6 pm & 9 pm
June 2, 6 pm & 9 pm

Get your tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3396243
www.thelighthousetroupe.com
www.facebook.com/TheLighthouseTroupe/
www.instagram.com/thelighthousetroupe/

Hogtown: The Immersive Experience Returns to Campbell House

Art, Theatre

The Campbell House Museum and The Hogtown Collective invite you to our 2017 summer production of Drew Carnwath & Sam Rosenthal’s HOGTOWN: The Immersive Experience.

Back by popular demand, the show Toronto Life, the Globe and Mail and CBC called ‘Must see!’ and received four stars (NNNN) from NOW Magazine. Starting July 13th and now extended until August 20th, HOGTOWN is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, heard or felt at the theatre — until now.

Immerse yourself in an evening filled with young flappers and Moonshiners, Temperance Ladies and politicians, power brokers and police, speakeasies and gambling dens. New adventures are brewing at the Campbell House. Choose new characters and storylines to follow. No two performances are ever alike! Everyone’s got something at stake, a heart to break, or a deal to make. Now, let’s party like it’s 1926!

Purchase your tickets today by visiting:
hogtownexperience.brownpapertickets.com