Play connects a boy and his culture
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Wrigley (Nov 06/00) - A modest, short play out of Wrigley may signal the coming of a new Northern theatrical movement.
The play, which is about 12 minutes long,, has only been performed at the local high school. But for the seven Wrigley youth of the Pehdzheh Ki Players that's just the beginning.
According to Lewsis Beck -- he wrote the piece with fellow organizer Ed ten Brinke -- neighbouring communities have expressed interest in this impromptu theatrical venture.
"We did it in just two weeks," says Beck, sounding astounded it all came together.
Beck says Loon Calling Me is about a Dene boy who has been diverted from his culture by the temptations of alcohol and drugs. Through his grandfather he learns of his culture, which then makes him interesting to his modern-day, hip, young friends.
"We would eventually like to do a full-blown production," says Beck, who is on the Wrigley recreation committee along with ten Brinke.
The incentive to write and perform the play came with the arrival of the inspirational group, One Crazy Cricket. The group, which performs for youth, ("stay in school, be all you can be" type of thing) presented their act in Fort Simpson. So did the Pehdzheh Ki Players.
Beck says the music and costumes for the small production came as a surprise.
"D'arcy Moses (of Natsen'elu) donated all the costumes, all the material. That was amazing!"
Members of the Deh Cho Drummers provided the music for the little play, also leading many audience members into a drum dance.
One of the drummers, Mike Cazon, told the audience that Loon Calling Me was his story, as well. He explained how, as a young man, it was reconnecting with his culture that led him away from addictions.
During a conference call with community representatives from Jean Marie River, Fort Liard, Fort Providence and Fort Simpson, the idea for Loon Calling Me to tour the communities came up.
"The idea is to go to these places, present the play and then work with the local people, both youth and adults, to help them develop a creative project of their own," says Beck.
"This could include a play, song, drum group, dance group, choir, whatever," he adds.
These creative endeavours would then culminate in a performance at a youth conference scheduled to take place in Fort Simpson in March 2001.
