The inaugural production of Trent Valley Archives Theatre was both a fundraising and critical success — and the theatre company is already planning a sequel for next year.
Staged on May 15 and 16 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, Tide of Hope was a prequel to the Irish emigration story involving Peter Robinson, the 19th-century Upper Canada politician who helped the settlement of more than 2,000 Irish Catholics to Upper Canada in 1825.
Set in the Blackwater River district of County Cork in Ireland, the play was based on the life of David Nagle of Mitchelstown, an Irish land agent (rent collector) who was forced to flee to Upper Canada when Irish rebels branded him a traitor for working with English landowners.
Written by award-winning playwright Ed Schroeter and directed by Gerry McBride, the play featured both experienced and novice actors, including Lauren Murphy, Nathan Govier, June Govier, Brogan McKellar, Lucas Pronk, Carling Dulder, Drew Mills, Elaine Day, and Paul Baines.
Tide of Hope was a fundraiser for Trent Valley Archives and, according to the organization’s board vice president Madison More, it raised a large amount of money through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations.
The funds will go toward operating expenses of Trent Valley Archives, which has promoted the preservation, identification, and care of archives in the Trent Valley region since 1989. The organization, which doesn’t receive regular annual government funding, instead relies on membership fees, donations, and user fees.
“We want to thank the 150 students, their educators and parent supervisors, and the 551 members of the general public who attended our three shows for supporting us,” said Trent Valley Archives board president Steve Guthrie.
As well as raising much-needed funds for Trent Valley Archives, the play was also a hit with audiences.
“Learning about Irish history through theatre gave me a better understanding of what life was like for the Irish in 1825,” said audience member Maureen Crowley, a Peter Robinson descendant and board member of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club, adding she “really enjoyed” the play.
Audience member Mary Smith said the play was “a wonderful evening” and “so appreciated.”
“I feel much more informed about the history of that era,” Smith added, who is also vice chair of the non-for-profit organization Nine Ships 1825, which will be coordinating and promoting the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish emigration in 2025.
According to Guthrie, a sequel to Tide of Hope is already being planned for the week of May 26 to June 1, 2025.
Guthrie also thanked the donors and sponsors who supported the inaugural production, including platinum sponsor The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residences, platinum media sponsor kawarthaNOW, silver sponsor Templeton Law, and bronze sponsor The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club.
He said there are too many volunteers to name, “but the guidance of the staff of the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, stage manager Marilyn Robinson, director Gerry McBride, and our all-star cast and crew were critical to the success of this fundraiser.”
“Thanks also goes to the people, organizations, and Facebook groups that promoted our shows and lent us props and costumes,” he added.
