Play taps into Morinville’s roots

Calgary playwright Jacqueline Russell spent a few days in Morinville interviewing residents as research material for a play she has writing about the community – Stephen Dafoe Photo
By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – Residents will have the opportunity to view the past 100 years of the community in a special way Friday night. Streets and Sidewalks, an original play by Calgary-based playwright Jacqueline Russell, will be presented at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. But make no mistake; this play is no recitation of dusty dates and dry facts. Rather the play is a performance that encapsulates 100 years of history through the memories of residents.

Russell came to Morinville last spring to tour the community and talk to some of its life-long citizens as research for the play sponsored by the Friends of the Morinville Public Library and partly funded through a Town of Morinville Centennial Grant. Friday, Russell will be accompanied by a troupe of four actors this Friday who will assist in bringing that play to life in the community it was written about.

Shelley Faganello, a member of the Friends of the Morinville Public Library, said she has had the opportunity to read Russell’s play and was impressed by it. “I think it’s just going to be a great opportunity for people to come together again as a community,” she said, adding the play, originally the idea of Friends president April Heppleston, offers an opportunity to recognize Morinville’s residents over the past century. “It’s passing forward the blessing of those memories.”

The library will also be on hand Friday night with their limited edition centennial bookmarks. One hundred numbered bookmarks were manufactured and will be available at $15 each. Bookmarks numbered 1 and 100 will be auctioned off during the evening’s activities.

Tickets for the play are $5 each and available at vintage Petals, Smith Music and the Morinville Public Library (Parish Hall). Tickets will also be available at the door. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

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