The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Prepare for some tall tales

Harbourfro­nt Theatre presents ‘The Four Tellers - Top Hats and Tall Tales’

-

The Four Tellers are back at Harbourfro­nt Theatre Aug. 26 with their new show, “Top Hats and Tall Tales”, featuring all new stories.

David Weale, Alan Buchanan, Dennis King and Gary Evans will gather around the kitchen table on the Harbourfro­nt Theatre stage for and evening of storytelli­ng, covering four distinct areas of the Island and talking politics, religion, liquor and language. Although there are set pieces and character sketches, much of what happens on stage is “off the cuff” and no two shows are exactly the same.

The foursome also promises a few local impression­s and some live tunes by sisters Amy and Rachel Beck.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available at the box office and www.harbourfro­nttheatre.com.

Buchanan, who was born and raised in Belfast, has been a member of the award-winning group, Hedgerow, and has been featured on local, regional and national radio broadcasts, including the CBC comedy show “Madly Off in all Directions”. His stories centre on the colourful characters and cultural quirks he observed growing up in a rural community.

Born in Georgetown, King comes from a long line of storytelle­rs, including his father, Lionel, and uncles Donald and Jack. He has made numerous appearance­s at the P.E.I. Festival of Small Halls, and in 2016 wrote and published his first book “The Day They Shot Reveen,” an Atlantic Canadian book of stories.

Evans moved to Morell Rear from Toronto, Ont., when he was nine years old and considers the move the most traumatic event of his life. The characters he met and the experience­s that he had form the basis of many of his stories. When telling a story, Evans likes to impersonat­e the characters involved in his stories, especially if they are politician­s.

Weale, co-creator and editor of “RED: The Island Storybook”, is the author of a number of award-winning volumes about the history and folk culture of P.E.I. He is also the author of several children’s books, including Canadian best sellers “The True Meaning of Crumbfest” and “Doors in the Air”.

He has also written and performed in several stage shows, including “A Long Way from the Road”, “Greenmount Boy”, and “Here on the Island”.

 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ?? Dennis King, left, David Weale, Alan Buchanan and Gary Evans bring ‘The Four Tellers- Top Hats and Tall Tales’ to the Harbourfro­nt Theatre stage Saturday night.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Dennis King, left, David Weale, Alan Buchanan and Gary Evans bring ‘The Four Tellers- Top Hats and Tall Tales’ to the Harbourfro­nt Theatre stage Saturday night.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada