AN INTERVIEW WITH MANN, JACKSON and RUDDELL

An interview with Theatre Calgary's BEYOND EDEN company members JOHN MANN, TOM JACKSON and BRUCE RUDDELL. Also included is footage from the musical number 'MYSTERY' from Theatre Calgary's BEYOND EDEN by Bruce Ruddell. The number features John Mann, Tom Jackson, Cameron MacDuffee, Tracey Olson, Telly James, Curt McKinstry, Christopher Hunt, Julien Black Antelope, Meegwun Fairbrother, Corey Payette, Raven Ann Potschka, Erika Raelene Stocker. The band includes Beyond Eden band: Bill Sample (Conductor, Keyboards), Adrian Dolan (Viola), Laurence Mollerup (Electric Bass, Contrabass), Randall Stoll (Drums, Percussion), Dave Corman (Guitars).

Theatre Calgary and the Playhouse Theatre Company of Vancouver are once again making Canadian theatre history.  Today, Artistic Directors Dennis Garnhum (Calgary) and Max Reimer (Vancouver) are proud to announce that they will present the world premiere production of Beyond Eden, written and composed by Bruce Ruddell, during their 2009-10 seasons, and that the show will be featured as part of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

Beyond Eden is an account of the 1957 expedition that saw a group of anthropologists and archaeologists travel to a cluster of remote islands in the North Pacific Ocean known as Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) to remove the last remaining ancient Totem Poles from the deserted Haida village known as Ninstints. It is a story of struggle, love, loss, redemption and transformation all triggered by the harsh clash of European cultures and the ancient arts and culture of the Haida Nation. The universal and timeless themes of the story will resonate with people around the planet.

Beyond Eden’s theatrical form is a full-scale musical theatre work. The show will feature a cast of 14, which is headlined by renowned Canadian musician John Mann of the band Spirit of the West.  

“What an extraordinary opportunity for Theatre Calgary to be a part of this important west coast story.  We are proud to be partnering once again with the Vancouver Playhouse on this world premiere,” says Dennis Garnhum, who will direct the production. “This spectacle finds a compelling and dazzling way to tell this piece of history using song, dance and multi-media visual spectacle.  Bruce Ruddell’s landscape is enormous and imaginatively envisioned. I look forward to imagining with him this beautiful world of the musical inspired by the Haida culture.”

Max Reimer echoes the excitement for this production. “This season at the Playhouse I am taking a fresh new look at our historical roots in order to revitalize and engage our audiences. I am thrilled that the Playhouse and Theatre Calgary are working together again after successfully co-producing Timothy Findley’s The Wars two seasons ago. This time we are working to bring a true BC story to the stage. I am also excited that the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad will present this project.”

The story of Beyond Eden is based on true historical events of the expedition that was organized and led by the young anthropologist/archaeologist Wilson Duff and his Haida friend, Bill Reid. What they encountered on this expedition completely changed their lives. Bill Reid had quit his job with the CBC and had begun to explore his Haida ancestry, teaching himself how to carve and the art of jewelry making. Over the next 50 years Reid’s work embraced many art forms reaching international acclaim. But perhaps more importantly, he rekindled Northwest Coast art and culture and has inspired Aboriginal people worldwide to be proud of their heritage. Following the 1957 expedition, Wilson Duff began a spirit quest into the heart of the Haida Nation. His discoveries inspired anthropologists everywhere to see Indigenous peoples in a very different light than they had been viewed in the past. Unfortunately, Duff’s quest became increasingly more difficult for him and his life ended tragically with his suicide in 1976.

Beyond Eden is a story that Bruce Ruddell has been working on since 1984, where it first began as a 15-minute oratorio called The World is as Sharp as a Knife. Since then, Ruddell has worked on the show with a number of artists. Some of the artists include Bill Henderson of rock-band Chilliwack fame, who collaborated on the songs. Two Haida artists have also been involved in the project.  Dancer and singer Derek Edenshaw has consulted on the Haida songs and ceremonies, and Gwaai Edenshaw, an accomplished artist who has studied under Bill Reid and the son of Guujaaw: President of the Council of the Haida Nation.

Also integral to the play’s development was Ruddell’s close friend Bill Reid (who passed away in 1998), American Director Harold Prince, and Canadian directors Robin Phillips, Roy Surette, Glynis Leyshon and Dennis Garnhum.  Beyond Eden was recently developed as part of Theatre Calgary’s 2008 FUSE Play Development Program, and has received additional development through workshops at the Playhouse and Victoria’s Belfry Theatre.

Beyond Eden has received the full endorsement of the Council of the Haida Nation and from the Chiefs and Elders of Haida Gwaii.

Beyond Eden starts in Vancouver on January 16 and run through February 6, 2010. The opening night gala performance will be January 21 in Vancouver. The production will then move to Theatre Calgary for a run from February 16 to March 7, 2010.  Single tickets for Theatre Calgary’s run will go on sale Monday, September 28, 2009.