Canada, It’s Complicated helps us look at ourselves
In the swirl of sesquicentennial celebrations, it’s easy to forget that it’s not all maple leaves and multicultural miracles. Though Canada remains one of the better places to hang your tuque, the country has made its fair share of embarrassing — and tragic — mistakes. Need we say more than residential schools?
A new comic revue, produced and directed by Canadian comedy icon Mary Walsh, aims to recognize what this country has to offer, while not letting us off the hook. Canada, It’s Complicated arrives in Spruce Grove on Friday, Oct. 27, taking up residence at the Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre for one night only. (For ticket details, visit canadaitscomplicated.ca.)
Consider the night of fun and music an object lesson in laughing at yourself.
“I thought it would be a great way to celebrate 150, or not to celebrate, but to look at who you really are. It’s always better to look at who you really are, as opposed to who you think you are,” says Walsh, an Order of Canada recipient, Gemini award winner and co-writer of the script.
The show, a satirical revue examining Canadian identity and history, has been pulled together by some of the country’s leading comedians, musicians and playwrights, including 22 Minutes head writer Mike Allison. Edmonton playwright Mieko Ouchi also contributed to the project, which features a cast of young actors from around the country. Music is also a big component of the evening, with performances by Tiffany Ayalik and Greyson Gritt of Quantum Tangle, a Juno Awardwinning duo from Yellowknife.
Walsh admits her own understanding of Canadian history was once sadly lacking.
“I was so unaware that I went around saying things like John Cabot discovered Newfoundland, and then I read a quote from a Dene chief who said it was hard to discover a place that was fully populated,” she recalls. “That was so funny and so profound, so that was the leaping off point. The 150th anniversary seemed like a great opportunity to look at the truth. The truth will set you free. And it’s been great fun.”
The treatment of Indigenous Canadians by their colonizers has been particularly galling to Walsh, and therefore perfect fodder for humour.
“The seven treaties we signed after Confederation, I don’t think there was ever any goodwill on our side. We wanted the people who owned the land to hop the f--k off it so we could own it. We drove our railway right through their talking circles,” says Walsh.
The revue includes work by notable Indigenous collaborators including Thomas King, the Governor General award winner, novelist and creator of CBC Radio’s Dead Dog Café, plus award-winning Métis playwright, performer and director Marie Clements.
While particular notice is taken of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people, other issues also take pride of place, including Japanese internment and the Chinese head tax. The Métis leader Louis Riel, Nova Scotia’s Africville and Sir John A. Macdonald all play a part in the revue.
The show debuted in September and has already enjoyed crossCanada stops at 40 centres, from Iqaluit to Portage la Prairie to Goose Bay. While Walsh doesn’t claim to be able to change the world with this show, she thinks it’s possible to change a few minds.
“If it just came down to even one person in the room that came to each of the shows, having the realization that I did, and had their eyes opened, it would be a grand thing,” she says.
“Comedy makes it easier, because you’re not being lectured to, and there is music and dancing. These extraordinary people with energy and life force are a joy to watch. There’s a message, but it’s being delivered in a way that’s not hurting you.”