York Region theatre company launches Dinner with Canada series in Vaughan
First up, June 18 at the Kortright Centre is 'Dinner with Pierre Elliott Trudeau'

yorkregion.com
June 6, 2017
By Adam Martin-Robbins

Ever imagine what it would’ve been like to share a meal with an iconic Canadian — former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau or civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond - at a key moment in the country’s history?

Well, now you can find out, thanks to Shadowpath Theatre Productions.

The local theatre company is hosting three “re-enactments” of historic Canadian meals as part of the country’s 150th birthday celebrations.

Guests sit down to eat with actors portraying of famous Canadians icons including Trudeau, Desmond and Louis Riel at a long dinner table.

“Food and theatre are the nest pairings, so I just thought Shadowpath should have a series that brought those two together,” artistic director and playwright Alex Karolyi said. “My idea was to recreate famous, historical dinners.”

Kicking off the series is Dinner with Pierre Elliott Trudeau on June 18 at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr., in Vaughan.

It will be an al fresco meal served in the glass house so attendees can enjoy the performance as well as the backdrop of nature.

The year is 1981 and Trudeau is thinking about patriating the constitution from Britain, which will eventually lead to the creation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Karolyi explained.

“It’s somewhat fictional, but also probable,” she said of the dinner party. “The concept is that Pierre wants to get out of Sussex Drive in Ottawa so he has a retreat at the Kortright Centre, in Vaughan, of course, and he invites his House of Commons friends to come with (him) to discuss what he has on his agenda...It’s basically some of the highlights of his political career and how, perhaps, a dinner with some political friends in the House of Commons helps push that forward.”

There will be three actors portraying the prime minister, his wife, Margaret Trudeau, and Justice Minister Jean Chretien. They will be joined at the table by about 25 audience members who have the option of becoming active participants in the show. There will also be “gallery seating” for another 25 or so audience members.

Next up is Dinner with Viola Desmond, civil rights pioneer and Nova Scotian businesswoman who challenged racial segregation, Aug. 6 at Newmarket’s Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St.

The final party, Dinner with Louis Riel, a Canadian politician, Manitoba’s founding father and a political leader of the Metis people, takes place Nov. 26 at Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd.

All dinners feature local performers with food provided by “culinary artists” from Vaughan-based Petits Chefs Academy, who are creating a Canadian-inspired menu.

The project was supported, in part, through the Ontario150 Community Celebration Program.

Tickets cost $18 to $26 depending if you want to sit at the table and eat a three-course meal, or sit in the gallery and enjoy a two-course meal.

To purchase tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dinner-with-canada-tickets-34020827210.

For more information, visit www.shadowpaththeatre.ca.