COMING SUMMER 2017...

VideoCabaret spectacularly conjures the era of Confederation in four tragicomic one-act plays, presented in two parts.

The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1861-1885
CONFEDERATION PART I:
Confederation & Riel
&
CONFEDERATION PART II:
Scandal & Rebellion

On stage June 9, 2017

Confederation
This is the story of the bargaining and deal-making behind the fireworks of July 1, 1867. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald bestrides the play with a bottle in one hand and a country in the other, overcoming all resistance to Confederation with dreams of expansion and threats of American annexation. Two young men meet in a Montreal law office: Wilfrid Laurier and Louis Riel. Laurier, a Quebecois and ardent anti-Confederationist, joins the Liberal Party and the Freethinkers. Riel, a Western Metis, prepares for the role of 'public enemy' and 'traitor'.

Riel
In the wake of Confederation, Prime Minister Macdonald plans to turn the West into one big Ontario. Louis Riel and Métis leaders want local autonomy. When Metis aspirations collide with Canada's land surveyors and governors, the Rebellion begins. Across the country radical Protestants and Catholics plot assassination and terror, backed by American continentalists. When Bishop Bourget begins a 'holy war' against Freethinkers, Laurier enters politics and begins to cultivate the secular and multi-cultural ideals that will shape the Canadian nation.

Scandal
Louis Riel, with a price on his head, is elected MP but denied his seat by Orange Lodge fanatics. Wilfrid Laurier, a Liberal MP in Alexander Mackenzie's government, falls for his best friend's wife. Manitoba has joined Confederation, British Columbia is being wooed. In the rapidly expanding colony, Canada's business barons compete to own the hot tech-stocks of the day -- the railway and telegraph lines. John A. Macdonald is caught red-handed swapping the CPR contract for a large campaign donation and heads for the political wilderness.

Rebellion
Macdonald has been restored to power by the majority who prefer a sinner to a scold. Louis Riel joins Saskatchewan Métis leader Gabriel Dumont and Cree Chief Big Bear in a fight for land claims and human rights. Ottawa escalates the conflict from military action to mass starvation. In 1885, the Last Spike is hammered, Riel is condemned to death, the West is open for business. Macdonald's refusal to pardon Riel enrages Quebec, sending Conservatives to the penalty box for decades. Wilfrid Laurier opposes Riel's execution and becomes the Liberal heir apparent.

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