Play deals with the politics of pipelines
‘Unapologetically political’ play isn’t afraid to talk about pipelines,
Presented by Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts and Punctuate! Theatre
When: May 8-12
Where: The Cultch
Tickets and info: $22-$49, thecultch.com Bears is a play from Alberta about pipelines.
That description probably has most picturing a musical where a chorus line of blond, blue-eyed Oilers cheerleaders stomp their field boots over a topographical map of B.C., with the big showstopper bitumen spurting out of a pipeline and showering down upon them.
But Bears is an acclaimed theatre piece that incorporates a chase story about an Indigenous oilpatch worker named Floyd (Sheldon Elter) on the run from an accident inquiry into a separate quest tale about discovering Indigenous identity. It all takes place along the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline route from the oilsands to the B.C. coast.
Written by Matthew Mackenzie, the production described as “unapologetically political” is co-produced by his Punctuate! Theatre and Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts, whose artistic director, Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, also appears in the performance.
Mackenzie says as well as exploring what is going on in Wild Rose country, his work is a “love letter to B.C.,” where he spent time growing up. He admits he’s curious to see how audiences react to the show on this side of the Rockies.
“It should be interesting, because we’ve played it a few places in Alberta where there is a fair bit of support for this particular pipeline and the reaction was more ‘look at yourself in the mirror,’ as opposed to Toronto, where it was quite boisterous,” said Mackenzie.
“While the politics and message of the piece are pretty clear, we aren’t looking to alienate anyone. I expect quite a different reaction in Vancouver, too.”
Pipelines, it seems, are good material for live theatre. Particularly coming from playwrights with Indigenous background. Savage Society, Itsazoo Productions and Neworld Theatre collaborated to create the Pipeline Project, addressing the multiple facets facing the construction of pipelines on the coast.
Sebastien Archibald, Kevin Loring and Quelemia Sparrow’s show toured across Canada last year. Like Bears, it was all about including the often unheard Indigenous voices in the debate. Bears brought together multiple theatre companies as well to develop the unique storyline and staging. Other Indigenous arts groups are looking at similar material.
Mackenzie says Indigenous people are telling the stories because they have a direct and unique connection to them, one that can get pretty complicated.
“Sheldon Elter is our lead, and before he was working so much in film, stage and TV, he worked in the (Alberta oil) patch, as do many members of his family,” said Mackenzie.
“While writing this, I too discovered that I have Cree and Ojibway background, which was kept secret from the family due to racism against Metis and native peoples. Bears gave me the opportunity to learn more about that heritage.”
This direct family history discovery just added more angles to a subject matter Mackenzie had long previously seen as potentially controversial. The more the work developed, including research with Cree elder and Maskawacis College dean of cultural studies Jerry Saddleback and others, the more angles appeared.
It’s been interesting how it all came together.
“This type of thing might typically break down along a left-right divide, but with an NDP government pushing the project, a lot of those lines are blurred,” Mackenzie said.
“For me, the show has been huge to do in places like Canmore, where I wrote it, and the talk about the wildfires has a direct relationship to the people there.”
Elter, also appearing in his show Metis Mutt at the Firehall Theatre that closes today, says that direct relationship to the subject matter in Bears really drew him to the role of Floyd.
“At the heart of it, the play tells a great story of a guy who has clearly been struggling with things he has done in his life and what happens to him along a transformational journey from Alberta to B.C.,” he said.
“But there are all these political things in it that can’t be ignored, and it just gives the whole story an added charge. It’s a very complicated issue for all parties, particularly for a lot of native people who could potentially really benefit from pipeline money, or that there is no risk of a leak or a spill.”
Elter notes his character talks about a troubling oil spill he worked on in Zama City in the play, where there was another spill in April. Born and raised in Grimshaw in the Peace River country, the actor says a lot of B.C. residents might not remember how much a part oil plays in some local economies. Nothing around the discussion about pipelines is easy.
“It’s a major Canadian issue that has huge economic implications that can’t be ignored, but my feeling on this particular one (the Trans Mountain expansion) is that it’s getting built,” said Elter.
“And maybe all the attention means that it’s built better than anything before it. There are other issues facing a lot of people in this country, like, say, clean drinking water.”
Celebrated for his comedic chops in such shows as May Contain Nuts, playing Floyd is a change of pace for Elter. But don’t think Bears is all heavy lifting.
“Oh there is plenty of stuff that’s funny, although maybe people in Alberta find it too close to home to really cut loose over,” he said.
“Monica Dottor’s choreography is amazing — there’s a doo-wop number and vaudevillian points. Matt’s created a really solid piece, sometimes awkward, sometimes politically charged, but always there to entertain, which is what is needed.”
Bears features a chorus of contemporary dancers choreographed by seven-time Dora Award nominee Dottor, and the chorus is used to generate change in set, location, emotion and storyline.
Mackenzie likes to incorporate unique stage and sound designs in all of his work.
Bears aims high and apparently hits the mark.
The play was nominated for five Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards. It won in both outstanding choreography and score categories.