The War of 1812

Written and Directed by Michael Hollingsworth
The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1812 - 1815

The War of 1812 premiered as Act Four of The British at Theatre Passe Muraille in 1986.

When The British was remounted in 2001, the run did not include The War of 1812 and this piece of Canada's History Plays was almost lost to the halls of history (and repertory productions) until...

Michael Hollingsworth's revised and expanded version of this VideoCab classic played to sold-out houses in the summer of 2012 at The Stratford Festival, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Spring 2013, and at The Magnetic North Theatre Festival in June 2013.

POSTER

Th e War of 1812 2013 Company
Photos by Michael Cooper

When America declares war on Britain and her empire, a Native confederation led by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh defends its own territory by joining in the defence of Canada. After three years of bloodshed on land and lake, the Yankees have burned York, the Yorkees have burned Washington, and everyone has burned the Natives.

This play dramatizes the successful defense of the Canadas by the British, and the annexation of the Native American lands by the United States. A play about war is inherently dramatic. The personal dramas of Isaac Brock, Tecumseh, John Strachan, James Fitzgibbons. and Laura Secord illustrate the last colonial war on Canadian soil.

AUDIENCE PRAISE FOR THE WAR OF 1812

"A sparkling gem of a show that tickles, titillates and delights. Canadian history that is fun, stirring and in its technical exactitude, absolutely awe inspiring. Some of the best theatre I've seen in a very long time. Check it out."
-Brad Fraser

"Fantastic night of theatre down in the Distillery District.
Just bloody brilliant."
-Jane O'Hara

"I just saw 1812 ... Brilliant"
-Derek Aasland

"What a great production! Just saw it tonight ... delightful, thrilling & fast-paced. My kind of show."
-Amanda Rebecca Cosco

"It's like a grotesque pop-up book about a part of our history that often gets used and abused. What's great in Video Cab's version is that no one really wins in the War of 1812 - except the audience of course."
- Byron Laviolette

"Fantastic Play. I LOVED it!!"
-Diana Rosalind Goldman

 

 

VIDEO

PROGRAMME
(Stratford)
(Young Centre)

PRESS

PHOTOS

REHEARSAL PHOTOS