Vimy, directed by James MacDonald, is the story of a nurse from Nova Scotia tending to four wounded Canadian soldiers - one French, two English, one Blackfoot - all recovering in a French field hospital during The Great War in 1917.
In 90 years war and its strategies may have changed, but one thing remains constant. People die.
In the last of this four part series, playwright Vern Thiessen talks about VIMY.
When did you decide to do Vimy and how research did this entail?
I have been working on the play since 2003. I visited the monument in France and was struck by the enormous amount of names. Since then, I have done what I will call a "hellavalot" of research. Books, movies, first-person accounts, attestation papers, anything I could lay my hands on. Then I had to put it all aside, and sit down to write the play.
How many times have you been to Vimy Ridge?
Once, and I will return this spring.
What was it you think that made the Canadian soldiers victorious when France and England had both failed?
That is more of a historical question and less of a dramatic one. Although the battle was "won", 10,000 soldiers injured or dead can hardly be considered a good thing.
Tell me a little more about the structure of the piece - and the use of Blackfoot. I know there are four soldiers. Can you expand on "disgrace?"
The play takes place in a field hospital shortly after the battle. Four soldiers are being cared for by a nurse. Through the course of the play, she tries to heal them, and herself, of both physical and emotional wounds. One of the soldiers is from Winnipeg, one is from Ontario, one is from Montreal -there is quite a lot of French in the play - and one is a native soldier from Alberta - hence the Blackfoot.
Can you tell me about the cast?
If you mean the actors, no. Although we are nearly cast, contracts have not been signed. I am, however, very excited about the possibilities!
Do you think people are developing a new military awareness that may not have been present in its previous generations?
Perhaps. I think the anniversaries of Vimy, D-Day, Dieppe, etc have helped re-kindle an interest and awareness, yes.
What do you want audiences to take with them after they watch Vimy?
Like with all plays I want them to be "entertained" That is, I want them to laugh and cry and think. In this case, I hope they come out thinking about how we remember, what we remember, and why.
For more information and news about an upcoming playwright's retreat in Tuscany, go to Vern Thiessen
Vimy premieres at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre, as part of the Classic Landmarks Mainstage Series October 20 to November 11,2007.
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