| By Tony Ricciuto Niagara Falls Review Expect to see lions and eagles in Fort Erie this month. Fort Erie will be kicking off the War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations with a play, The Lion and the Eagle, every Saturday and Sunday evening throughout January in the new Welcome Centre at Old Fort Erie. "It's pretty exciting. This will be our launch and the first night we will have a lot of the members from our bicentennial committee. We will have quite a few other things happening including the Grand Parade in June and the siege of Fort Erie in August, and we are continuing to add new things," said Antonietta Petrella, the assistant producer of the play, who is also looking after marketing and communications for the 1812 bicentennial committee. The play is being performed by members of Dominion Repertory Theatre. The grand opening takes place Saturday, with doors opening at 7:45 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. The show will be the first of many festivals held in Fort Erie throughout the three-year long commemoration of 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States. |
The play was written by Brian Coatsworth, artistic director, with guidance from Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock. "The play is based at a real place called Moody's Tavern. It's Christmas, 1811 and the war is declared in June the following year. Everyone is gathering for a last Christmas celebration because they know war is coming and an incident happens," said Coatsworth. "The joyous, dancing, singing Christmas party gets turned into drama." The play's characters mingle with the audience and share stories, food and drink. Executive director Vince Marinaccio said each night will be a new experience and the audience will explore history from a unique perspective. The play was made possible in part thanks to a $5,000 donation from the TD Canada Trust Fort Erie Branch. A total of eight performances will take place on Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout January. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Student tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door. The group rate is $10 per ticket for 10 or more. Cider and hors d'oeuvres "of the day" will be provided compliments of The Niagara Parks Commission. Other 1812 events this year will include the Grand Parade on June 23, which will consist of more than 50 military marching bands, re-enactors, floats and more. It will be the largest War of 1812 bicentennial parade in North America. The siege of Fort Erie will take place Aug. 11-12, and is the largest annual 1812 re-enactment in Canada. Also in August, the Dominion Repertory Theatre will perform another original play, Sparks from a Campfire, at Historic Old Fort Erie. View the article source |
Play kicks off Fort Erie 1812 celebrations
