Trent Valley Archives Theatre has announced the 14-member cast of The Kid from Simcoe Street, its latest fundraising history play which will have its world premiere in June at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, including the three actors who will play the main character at different times in his life.
That character is James Clarke, a Peterborough native who overcame childhood adversity before, during, and after the Second World War to eventually become an esteemed lawyer, judge, and poet.
The play is a coming-of-age story based on Clarke’s 2012 memoir of the same name, in which he recounts a childhood growing up in poverty in a Peterborough neighbourhood. His father abandons his family — Clarke and his mother and two sisters — to volunteer to fight overseas in the Second World War and when he returns, wounded and likely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, becomes an alcoholic, shattering his wife’s dreams and casting a shadow of violence over Clarke’s childhood.
Surviving a dysfunctional family, Clarke goes on to attend McGill University and Osgoode Hall, practising law in Cobourg for many years before his appointment to the bench in 1983. Clarke served on the Ontario Court of Justice from 1990 to 1999 and the Superior Court of Justice from 1999 until his retirement in 2008. He is also the author of more than 20 books of poetry, and he includes a selection of his poems in his memoir.
The Trent Valley Archives Theatre stage adaptation of Clarke’s memoir was written by Ed Schroeter and Gerry McBride, who co-wrote last year’s Crossing Over, along with David Frances Clarke — James Clarke’s grandson.
In a media release, Schroeter says the decision to cast three actors to portray Clarke at the ages of 10, 18, and 72 was made as it would be “extremely challenging” for one actor to convincingly do.
“I’ve seen it done that way before, but it can leave the audience cold,” Schroeter adds.
VIDEO: “The Kid from Simcoe Street” – Trent Valley Archives Theatre
The youngest iteration of Clarke, “Jimmy,” will be played by Charlie Harris, a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Adam Scott Intermediate School. While he has performed with Showmakers PTBO, a musical theatre program for children and teens, The Kid from Simcoe Street is his first foray into adult theatre.
Zoe Shufelt, who plays Clarke as a teenager named “Jimbo,” is a Grade 12 student at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School who recently directed Clue at the school’s drama program and will be performing in the St. James Players production of The Addams Family in April. A volunteer at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, Shufelt’s first-ever acting role was in the St. Peter’s production of Newsies: The Musical last February, before going on to perform the role of Francis Young in Crossing Over last May.
Portraying Clarke in his later years is veteran actor Jim Mills, who has been involved in theatre since he was six years old. The Donwood resident, who most recently performed in the Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of Frozen, has appeared in more than 30 productions, commercials, short films, and music videos. Some of his most memorable roles are Dr. Scott (Rocky Horror, 2013), Henry (Criminals in Love, 2015), a cross-dressing wolf (Shrek, 2018), and Grandpa Joe (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2025).
Trent Valley Archives Theatre has also announced 11 other cast members, including seven who have performed in either one or both of Trent Valley’s two previous productions, Tide of Hope and Crossing Over: Lily Faulkner (Jim’s sister Shirl), Nathan Govier (Fire Chief Virgil Frazer / Michael), June Govier (Pete), Kaza Hesselink (Josh / DD Potts), Lauren Murphy (Jim’s mom Florie), Ashley Parker (Firefighter Hank), and Kalla Tahon (housekeeper Gabby).
New to Trent Valley Archives Theatre are Trudy Connor (as Jim’s kid sister Babe), Ron Jewer (Jim’s father Sam), Sarah Nyles (Albert / Father Leo / Sister Mary), and Kelly O’Dwyer-Manuel (Newsman / Alice / Coach Johnny).
Directed and cast by Drew Mills and stage-managed by Barb Mills for the second year in a row, The Kid from Simcoe Street will be staged from June 4 to 7 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on June 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinee performances on June 6 and 7.
The play is recommended for audiences aged 14 and older due to some challenging content and runs approximately 90 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission.
VIDEO: James Clarke on his memoir “The Kid from Simcoe Street”
Tickets cost $40 for assigned cabaret table seating or $30 for regular assigned seating and are available online at www.markethall.org.
Trent Valley Archives launched Trent Valley Archives Theatre in 2023 to raise funds by staging theatrical productions about local historical events and to lay a foundation for developing new members, volunteers, and audiences.
The Kid from Simcoe Street is the company’s third production, with its inaugural production Tide of Hope staged in 2024 followed by Crossing Over in 2025.
Proceeds from ticket sales will support the non-profit charitable organization, which houses an extensive and growing collection of local historical resources and makes them available to the public. Trent Valley Archives also encourages local and family history research, operates a facility, and raises awareness of local history through historical tours, events, publications, and presentations.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor for The Kid from Simcoe Street.
