| Firebrand Theatre |
| Firebrand Theatre's Mandate *** To give life to stories that directly affect the lives of Canadian youth today. *** |
Viola Davis Desmond (July 6, 1914-1965) was born in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was an African-
Canadian who ran her own beauty parlor and beauty
college in Halifax. She has been referred to as a
Canadian version of Rosa Parks. Desmond’s story was
one of the most publicized incidents of racial
discrimination in Nova Scotian and Canadian history.
On November 8, 1946, Viola Desmond refused to sit in
the balcony designated exclusively for blacks in a New
Glasgow theatre. Instead she took her seat on the
ground floor where only white people were allowed to
sit. After being forcibly removed from the theatre and
arrested, Desmond was eventually found guilty of not
paying the one-cent difference in tax on the balcony
ticket from the main floor ticket.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was an African-
Canadian who ran her own beauty parlor and beauty
college in Halifax. She has been referred to as a
Canadian version of Rosa Parks. Desmond’s story was
one of the most publicized incidents of racial
discrimination in Nova Scotian and Canadian history.
On November 8, 1946, Viola Desmond refused to sit in
the balcony designated exclusively for blacks in a New
Glasgow theatre. Instead she took her seat on the
ground floor where only white people were allowed to
sit. After being forcibly removed from the theatre and
arrested, Desmond was eventually found guilty of not
paying the one-cent difference in tax on the balcony
ticket from the main floor ticket.
Other People's Heaven
by Beau Dixon
by Beau Dixon
Firebrand Theatre is committed to producing Canadian stories by Canadian playwrights.
We will provide teachers with inclusive curriculum packages to prepare students for the performance and will
offer talk-backs after the show, allowing our knowledgeable acting company to field any questions the
students may have. Our Study Guide will be sent via email as a pdf file or we can mail a hard copy to you if
requested.
For Black History Month - February 2012, Firebrand Theatre will be touring Nova Scotia with our production
of "Other People's Heaven: The Viola Desmond Story". Artistic Director and playwright Beau Dixon will
also be touring a play-reading version of this script. Click here for details.
Our next full production will be a May 2012 Ontario tour of "Victorian Secrets". For booking info click here.
We will provide teachers with inclusive curriculum packages to prepare students for the performance and will
offer talk-backs after the show, allowing our knowledgeable acting company to field any questions the
students may have. Our Study Guide will be sent via email as a pdf file or we can mail a hard copy to you if
requested.
For Black History Month - February 2012, Firebrand Theatre will be touring Nova Scotia with our production
of "Other People's Heaven: The Viola Desmond Story". Artistic Director and playwright Beau Dixon will
also be touring a play-reading version of this script. Click here for details.
Our next full production will be a May 2012 Ontario tour of "Victorian Secrets". For booking info click here.
Eliza and Amelia, two black household servants on a
Louisiana plantation, are treated harshly by their white
owners, John Phares and his wife. But their lives
improve with the marriage of the Phares’ daughter Mary
to the abolitionist school teacher William King.
Mary defies her parents’ wishes by adopting her
husband’s anti-slavery views, thereby earning Eliza and
Amelia’s trust. With their help the two slave women
learn of the Underground Railroad and begin their
journey to freedom and a new life in the free black
Canadian community of Buxton, Ontario.
Louisiana plantation, are treated harshly by their white
owners, John Phares and his wife. But their lives
improve with the marriage of the Phares’ daughter Mary
to the abolitionist school teacher William King.
Mary defies her parents’ wishes by adopting her
husband’s anti-slavery views, thereby earning Eliza and
Amelia’s trust. With their help the two slave women
learn of the Underground Railroad and begin their
journey to freedom and a new life in the free black
Canadian community of Buxton, Ontario.
Freedom Bells
by Beau Dixon
& Phil Oakley
by Beau Dixon
& Phil Oakley
It is April 10, 1734. The Old City of Montreal is
burning to the ground. A 29-year old slave woman,
Marie Joseph Angelique, stands accused of the
deed.
This true story is a compelling examination of a
strong, independent woman's fight for freedom and
respect and tellingly reveals her struggle to achieve
her rights as an individual.
Considered one of the earliest slave narratives in
Canada, the play is based on court transcripts of
Marie Joseph's own testimony.
burning to the ground. A 29-year old slave woman,
Marie Joseph Angelique, stands accused of the
deed.
This true story is a compelling examination of a
strong, independent woman's fight for freedom and
respect and tellingly reveals her struggle to achieve
her rights as an individual.
Considered one of the earliest slave narratives in
Canada, the play is based on court transcripts of
Marie Joseph's own testimony.
Once A Flame
by Beau Dixon
by Beau Dixon
| Photo by Guy Giard |
From Here To
Africville
by Beau Dixon
Africville
by Beau Dixon
A troublemaker kid named Dooey meets a baptist minister and is given a
second chance by doing community service in the slums of Africville. While
spending time there, Dooey is befriended by a fiery black girl named Eva.
The 'Reverend' and Eva teach Dooey about discipline through the skills of
boxing and the early teaching methods of George Dixon, the first black
champion to gain a title.
second chance by doing community service in the slums of Africville. While
spending time there, Dooey is befriended by a fiery black girl named Eva.
The 'Reverend' and Eva teach Dooey about discipline through the skills of
boxing and the early teaching methods of George Dixon, the first black
champion to gain a title.
| George Dixon - circa 1891 |
Previously produced by:
Arbor Theatre, Peterborough
Firebrand Theatre
Arbor Theatre, Peterborough
Firebrand Theatre
Previously produced by:
Arbor Theatre, Peterborough
C Theatre Works at Factory Theatre, Toronto
Arbor Theatre, Peterborough
C Theatre Works at Factory Theatre, Toronto
Previously produced by:
Heritage Pavilion Stage, Peterborough
C Theatre Works at Factory Theatre, Toronto
Heritage Pavilion Stage, Peterborough
C Theatre Works at Factory Theatre, Toronto
Previously produced by:
Heritage Pavilion Stage, Peterborough
Heritage Pavilion Stage, Peterborough
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Photo courtesy Globe and Mail |
| Nawa Nicole Simon as Viola Desmond |
Caitlin Driscoll
Nawa Nicole Simon
Brad Brackenridge
Nawa Nicole Simon
Brad Brackenridge
The In-Sessions
by Beau Dixon, Phil
Oakley & Meagh
Culkeen
by Beau Dixon, Phil
Oakley & Meagh
Culkeen
The Lunch Club
by Beau Dixon
& Phil Oakley
by Beau Dixon
& Phil Oakley
A food fight breaks out at school and the perpetrators are punished
by spending their detention writing an essay about the importance of
food. This punishment turns out to be a lesson in disguise! As the
students talk about food, they discover more about themselves and the
world around them.
by spending their detention writing an essay about the importance of
food. This punishment turns out to be a lesson in disguise! As the
students talk about food, they discover more about themselves and the
world around them.
“The In-Sessions” is a mock radio phone-in show for students just
starting their new lives at University. The Radio Doctors are in and
they are taking your questions! No issue is too big or too small:
unprotected sex to alcoholism; homophobia to homesickness; self-harm
to first date protocol. The Doctors will give you numbers you can call
to get the information and help you need. Recently performed at Trent
University, this show can be formatted to suit any university’s
intro-week schedule; it is an hour long and deals with very real, very
serious issues, but always with a touch of humour, in order to be
informative and entertaining.
starting their new lives at University. The Radio Doctors are in and
they are taking your questions! No issue is too big or too small:
unprotected sex to alcoholism; homophobia to homesickness; self-harm
to first date protocol. The Doctors will give you numbers you can call
to get the information and help you need. Recently performed at Trent
University, this show can be formatted to suit any university’s
intro-week schedule; it is an hour long and deals with very real, very
serious issues, but always with a touch of humour, in order to be
informative and entertaining.
Previously produced by:
Firebrand Theatre & Heritage Stage Pavilion at Showplace, Peterborough
Firebrand Theatre & Heritage Stage Pavilion at Showplace, Peterborough
Previously produced by:
Firebrand Theatre at Trent University, Peterborough
Firebrand Theatre at Trent University, Peterborough
| January 2011 - "Once A Flame" - See us on CHEX-TV (interview & rehearsal footage) |
Victorian Secrets
Created by
Caitlin Driscoll,
Leora Morris &
Eleanor Hewlings
Created by
Caitlin Driscoll,
Leora Morris &
Eleanor Hewlings
A Canadian pioneer, British servant, and Queen Victoria herself - capture the challenges and joys of life
during an explosive era. Victorian England: an exciting time of new colonies and an increase in trade
(of everything from food to political ideas).
The story of three British women living in different countries during the Victorian era: one is Queen
Victoria herself, one is a lower middle-class nanny named Ada E. Leslie, one is writer-turned-Canadian-
pioneer Catherine Parr Traill. Our story begins with the death of Prince Albert in Queen Victoria’s life,
the death of Catherine’s husband Thomas and the beginning of Ada’s new life abroad, working as a
nanny for a British officer in India. As all three women set out on frightening new adventures, each
woman tells her story through real letters and journals, by directly addressing the audience. As they
weave together the story of their lives, we grow to know the intimate details of their lives and learn along
with them about the Victorian world with which they engage. As the century races towards its end, the
women age and all three eventually meet their own ends (both the Queen and Ada infirm and alone,
while Catherine works and writes up until her death), leaving behind a changing world on the brink of a
new era.
This thirty five minute play is an audience interactive performance featuring three of Canada’s up and
coming actors (Caitlin Driscoll, Leora Morris, Eleanor Hewlings).
during an explosive era. Victorian England: an exciting time of new colonies and an increase in trade
(of everything from food to political ideas).
The story of three British women living in different countries during the Victorian era: one is Queen
Victoria herself, one is a lower middle-class nanny named Ada E. Leslie, one is writer-turned-Canadian-
pioneer Catherine Parr Traill. Our story begins with the death of Prince Albert in Queen Victoria’s life,
the death of Catherine’s husband Thomas and the beginning of Ada’s new life abroad, working as a
nanny for a British officer in India. As all three women set out on frightening new adventures, each
woman tells her story through real letters and journals, by directly addressing the audience. As they
weave together the story of their lives, we grow to know the intimate details of their lives and learn along
with them about the Victorian world with which they engage. As the century races towards its end, the
women age and all three eventually meet their own ends (both the Queen and Ada infirm and alone,
while Catherine works and writes up until her death), leaving behind a changing world on the brink of a
new era.
This thirty five minute play is an audience interactive performance featuring three of Canada’s up and
coming actors (Caitlin Driscoll, Leora Morris, Eleanor Hewlings).
Photos from our Nova Scotia Tour - Black History Month 2012
(click photos for larger images)
Clockwise from top left:
1. Nawa Nicole Simon with Wanda Robson
(Viola Desmond's sister! She came to see our show
at the New Glasgow Theatre)
2. Nawa and Wanda Robson
3. Nawa as Viola Desmond
4. Playwright/Director Beau Dixon, with Nawa
(click photos for larger images)
Clockwise from top left:
1. Nawa Nicole Simon with Wanda Robson
(Viola Desmond's sister! She came to see our show
at the New Glasgow Theatre)
2. Nawa and Wanda Robson
3. Nawa as Viola Desmond
4. Playwright/Director Beau Dixon, with Nawa