The Final Leg! Sault Saint Marie

Hello loyal Bloggers - so glad you are still with us! It is with a heavy heart that I tap this entry into my laptop, as I sit in yet another motel room, somewhere near Ottawa, en route to Montreal, and realise that we are near the end. Booooooo! 

We have had a truly superb last leg of our tour, and a wonderful experience at our last venue in Sault Saint Marie. I joined the company slightly later from Toronto, to be welcomed to the very warm and friendly Sault Theatre Workshop, and the many community members who help to make this a real hub of activity in 'The Soo'. Running since the '60s, the workshop brings together actors, directors, and creative thinkers to stage productions, engage in workshops and house a thriving young people's theatre workshop. We were humbled by the huge generosity of the folk here - feeding us three times a day, rallying round to send in cookies, muffins, meat loaf, lasagne, soups (and so much more), and open their homes to such warm hospitality. The epitome of a community. Such a rare treat. We set up for our first show on Tuesday evening, with a cafe style set-up, with audience around tables - this made for a really jovial atmosphere, and the show that night was the best yet - slick, fun, and hugely engaging. The audience loved it. 

I enjoyed leading an afternoon workshop for the younger people's workshop group in the afternoon, and the evening show attracted an even bigger audience. We were busting at the seams, and there was a tangible buzz in the air. Word had got out about the show, and once again, this lovely community had pulled together and ensured that everyone turned out to support and enjoy our last show! 

We were all rather emotional going into the show, since we had just had a very touching 'appreciation ceremony' where each company member pulled another member's name out of the hat, and had to to then find a short and meaningful way to appreciate and honour this person. The budget to be spent per person was $1. The Dollarama store in the Mall saw many British shoppers that afternoon, as we all snuck in to plan our secret presents. The ceremony was really beautiful - everyone had been so imaginative and generous in their presentations, and we were all reminded what a special group of people this is - and quite what a journey we have been on together. So much learned - so much experienced.

At the end of the show, Harry, the head of the Sault Theatre Workshop made a presentation to us all, and a speech which somehow made every moment of invested work and energy worthwhile. He made us honorary members of the Theatre, with a certificate and badges for each one of us. He went on to say how touched he and the community had been by our visit - that we epitomised ensemble work that is so rare to find. He spoke of our work being moving, inspirational and a show that will never be forgotten. 

It was in these last moments that the sheer weight and significance of this endeavour hit home, and the whole company realised what a special and unique journey they had been on. The chance to enter into the heart on communities, share our work, make connections, tell stories, make people laugh and play - what could be more important than this? The cast were treated like kings at their host homes, and returned this morning with stories of champagne, gifts, stories shared and addresses exchanged. When we met back at the theatre early this morning to set off on our mammoth 12 hour drive to Ottawa, the community danced the Zorba in the Car park as we drove off in convoy. Great! 

I hope the photos above capture a little of our special time in the Soo. And this little video clip below too.

Off to the airport tomorrow, reeling for the immense experience, and how suddenly we have arrived at the date to set off home again. 

Thanks for following the blog. I hope it has brought us a little closer to those back home, and you have enjoyed reading our experiences. Maybe I will have withdrawal symptoms and have to post some more - maybe at the airport! So I shall leave you with an au revoir (especially since we are now on the border of French Canada!)

xxx

More from Toronto

Toronto is such a great city! Just a few images here to try and capture the diversity of the place. As ever, sending good wishes from across the way, and this time next week, we shall be back in the UK! All is well with the crew - journeying North now to Sault Saint Marie, where the landscape will be drastically different to Toronto! 

Crossing the Border - CANADA HERE WE COME!

After a great explore of Pittsburgh, it was back in the cars again to head North - to Canada! We made time for an impromptu internet performance for Gunduz in the hotel lobby, where the cast sang the new opening song to the screen (see photo!).

We made a lunch stop at Lake Eerie, to sample the shark pike and perch. Mmmm. The Canadian border guards were much more relaxed than their US counterparts, and so - in we went, and within moments were gasping at the extraordinary sight of Niagra Falls! Nothing quite prepares you for the shear power on the thing - and leaves you feeling rather small, insignificant, soggy and believing in some higher power (if you didn't in the first place!). We spent a lovely evening in the vicinity of the falls, the braver of us going up the glass elevator of the Skylon Tower to perch 162 m above the falls and watch as it become lit up at night. Truly spectacular. 
Next day - we set off again for the bright lights of Toronto! Another beautiful drive that skirted around the massive Lake Ontario, and into this vast city. Quite a complicated task ensued with maps, subway guides, addresses and lots of faith as we waved off the troupes to their various destinations accross town. Amazingly, we all found our way back to the theatre at the arranged time to meet our student hosts and the faculty staff at Humber College. Humber is on the West side of Toronto, and spans a large campus which includes a High School and a University, encompassing a lovely studio theatre for us to take over for our shows. A healthy sized audience turned out for the show last night, filling up the foyer for the pre-show (a sudden downpour pushed our activities inside which was ashame!). The show was received well - a much quieter audience this time, more reserved than our American audiences! We gear up for another tonight. The cast are staying at students homes, and having a real experience of the city. Toronto is so very rich and diverse, much more English than American. A wonderful web of neighbourhoods, funky, edgy, and very very laid back! There is a superb subway and streetcar system so we are able to wizz about and explore the markets, the lakes, the theatres....and so it goes on. 

We are nearing the end of our adventures, which is hard to believe. 

More soon - love to all at home, and we shall have an extra dollop of maple syrup for you all!

Emma x

 

Images from Pittsburgh

What an amazing city! 

The city forms where two rivers meet, and is connected up by many bridges. You can take a cable car (Incline) up Mount Washington, to look out over the grand view. Originally built for the 18th century coal and steel workers .High tech skyscrapers stand side by side with 18th century churches and gaol and court houses. Beautiful architecture, and many art deco buildings. The perfect city to have a day off, to wander and marvel at the sights. Unfortunately, most of the museums and theatres were closed on Mondays, so we had to ogle through the glass at the lavish playhouses and concert halls. I think Maceys also did very well from our visit! 

Off to Niagra today! Can't wait to see the falls.

Last day of being in the USA - we are all hoping the sugar content will reduce in Canadian food.

Cheerio for now!

Emma

Images!

1: Audience at Hollins

2: Hollins students tackling the courtesan scene 3:  Our very enthusistic student helpers

4:  Aegeon captures a crowd in the pre-show

5:  Painting bins

6-8 stunning resort we chanced upon today for cheeky swim and lunch!

9: Arriving in Pittsburgh - feels like a mini New York.

Happy Times at Hollins University!

Photos:

1: Hundreds turn out for the show on Saturday, and join the pre-show proceedings with 'Jerry Springer' style committment !

2: Cupcakes for the company baked by the Drama Department's lovely administrator, Rebecca

3: Rob enjoys workshopping with Hollins students, and taking scenes out into locations accross the camus. 4: Our entry to 'The Battle of the Bins" contest - An initiative to paint recycling bins in imaginative ways. 5: A snip of the beautiful campus. 6: Very positive marketing for the show and workshops! 

Back in Business! 

Reunited with my mac and high speed internet access, happy to post more images! 

We have spent a very happy 5 days at the beautiful Hollins University, Roanoke Virginia, and since my last post, have enjoyed two workshops and a show, both hugely attended and appreciated by Hollins staff and students. Saturday evening's show seemed to lure most of the student community, and the pre-show felt like a rock concert, with wild whooping, clapping and folk battling to compete in Mrs Ephesisos competition! Once the show moved inside to the 500 seater theatre, the audience were considerably pumped up and ready to continue participating. They seemed to love it, clapping each scene and vocalising their responses throughout. It was fun to play to such a huge and appreciative crowd. 

It is great to watch how much this show has adapted from place to place; from performing in an open field by the lake in Waterville Valley, where changes had to happen behind the bushes, to the Hollins purpose built proscenium arch, high tech theatre with dressing room suites and green room. Such great training for the cast. 

The workshops went down well too; attended by about 40-50 students each day, I introduced them to some of our rehearsal techniques and exercises, and sought to enable the students to feel they can approach the classics with their own voice and angle. The second workshop enabled them to work with extracts of our script, and re-locate the setting to find a truth for themselves. Great to watch scenes unfolding in the restrooms, under weeping willows, in the chapel...! 

After the show, we all headed downtown to the late night 'no shame theatre' event, which encourages people to take the stage with original material of no longer than 5 minutes. A diverse mix of mind readers, poets, improv and of course - our own Philip Wall, his guitar, and a kooky and unique re-write of Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn'! 

Huge thanks to all at Hollins who made us so very welcome; Ernie Zulia (faculty Chair), John (Theatre Technician - who simply could not do enough for us, and even gave us gaffar tape as a going away gift), and Rebecca (faculty administrator) who understood all my strange workshop copying requests and made us cupcakes. 

It was sobering to realise that only a year ago, this town was grieving the tragedy of the Virginia Tech shootings down the road. So strange to find yourself in the place that was at the forefront of world news. So very sad.

I write this from the Super 8 Motel in Pittsburgh, where we moved onto today. En route, we chanced upon an extraordinary lakeside resort in the hills, and after lunch, managed to convince staff (once again) to let us use the luxury pool. It is becoming a habit now! 

We are all looking forward to exploring Pittsburgh tomorrow - the city of bridges, and a funky jazz and theatre scene...

Sending love home - we are now officially on our home stretch, as we have turned back around and are moving North. 

Until soon,

emma