Ridge: The Fugitives

TDAC’s Performing Arts Trail Series presents RIDGE featuring Brendan McLeod and The Fugitives on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 7:30 pm at The Bailey Theatre.

6 Show Series Pass: $148 **Don’t miss out on this great offer. Money back guarantee on remaining shows for Performing Arts Trail season pass holders if you don’t like the season after the first two shows. “Try it, you’ll like it!” **
Individual Adult Ticket: $30.00, except Shane Koyczan which is $35.
PLUS:
• the bargain price of $10 for anyone under 30 years old
• 2 for 1 for hospital / medical employees for all Performing Arts Trail shows.
• New attendees 2 for 1: Bring someone who hasn’t been to the theatre before and get 2 for 1 for all Performing Arts Trail shows. New patron must not already be in our database and must join our email list.

Ridge is a vivid, kinetic, intimate, and personal examination of our connection to the past that passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives. Featuring musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs and reading of soldiers letters performed by Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives.

Often called the “battle that made Canada,” Vimy Ridge resulted in over 10,000 Canadian casualties. Through this visceral work, told through direct storytelling, verbatim theatre, and live music, Brendan McLeod examines misconceptions and varying perspectives around the battle, while drawing parallels to other formative events in our nation’s past. Featuring inventive musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs performed with his band The Fugitives, Ridge probes difficult yet necessary questions about how and why we grieve.

The Fugitives are a folk collective headed by songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod and joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters), that has been nominated for multiple Canadian Folk Music and Western Canadian Music Awards, including Best Songwriter, Best Roots Group, and Best Vocal Group.

Brendan McLeod is a writer, theatre artist, and musician. He is the author of one novel, one poetry collection, and five theatre shows. He was the 2012 Poet of Honor at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and the 2015 Poet of Honour at the Victoria Spoken Word Festival.

“Poignant and sobering” – The Globe and Mail (Top 10 Arts Pick, 2020)

“Serves to give the sacrifices of those who served and died a human dimension beyond mythology” – Vancouver Sun

“Riveting…The way history was meant to be told.” – Entertainment Vancouver

Here are videos of jus two of the beautiful and moving songs from the show: Next Man Who Dies and Donegal.

Reserved Seating. 78 minutes. No intermission.

Shuttle Bus – Book a round trip shuttle bus for only $5. Go to our shuttle bus booking page to check the schedule and book your shuttle here. On-line booking for shuttles ends at 12 noon on show day. If you’d like to make a last minute booking, please call our box office before 4 pm on show day. Last minute booking spaces may not be available.

Performing Arts Trail Series includes:

Ridge: Tues Nov 8, 2022 – A vivid and intimate examination of our connection to the past, through stories from Vimy Ridge, that passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives. Featuring musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs performed by Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives.

Oktopus: Tues Feb 28, 2023 – The Quebec octet Oktopus is devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews. The group’s virtuoso musicians offer original compositions, finely crafted arrangements and improvisation for a high-energy performance, at once melancholic, profound, and humorous.

Shane Koyzan (TBC): Tues March 28, 2023– There seems no shortage of adjectives to describe a show by spoken word poet, writer and performer Shane Koyczan. Moving, hilarious, challenging, provocative, or inspirational. Take your pick. Here is a writer that takes you on a tour of your own feelings in a way that leaves you grasping for your own heart just to make sure it’s still in your chest.

Sansei: The Storyteller and Yamabiko Taiko Drummers (double bill): Tuesday April 18 2023 – Sansei: The Storyteller uses dance, theatre, and humour to tell the story of one of Canada’s darkest decisions and how the rampant racism of past generations affects the Japanese community today. The Yamabiko Taiko Drummers will close out the evening with their high energy performance!

Huu-Bac Quintet: Tuesday May 2, 2023 – Montreal based Huu Bac Quach and his quintet skillfully combine his Vietnamese and Chinese heritages with North-American jazz music. His beautiful compositions feature the dan bau (single chord Vietnamese instrument), the erhu (Chinese fiddle), the quena (Peruvian flute) and the guitar.

With funding support from the BC Arts Council, the Government of British Columbia, and the BC Touring Council. This series is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. / Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.

COVID Protocols– Show dates, times and conditions may be subject to change as mandated by Provincial Health Orders and subject to the COVID climate. At this time, masks are recommended but not required. We are not required to ask for proof of vaccination and shows can operate at 100% capacity. Patrons will be notified by email of any changes in our COVID protocols.