The Wake of Leroy McGuinness
The Wake of Leroy McGuinness
by
Sam and Emm Hanly
Directed by Sue Backs
at the Edmonton Fringe
August 15th - 25, 2024
Festival Guides On Sale: July 31, 2024
Tickets On Sale: August 7, 2024
Festival Guides and tickets will be available from the Edmonton Fringe Festival only
You can also see pictures and video on our FB page:
The Wake of Leroy McGuinness at the Edmonton Fringe
and on Instagram thewakeofleroymcguinness
*RP The August 21st performance (12:00 noon) is a relaxed performance and is offered at a $5 discount. This performance will have some accomodations for those who may enjoy them; slightly higher lighting, slightly less sound, and the ability to leave the theatre and return with the help of volunteers.
Just so you know, nothing is for sale on this site. If something comes up for sale it is not from us.
'We begin today by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather for the Edmonton International Fringe Festival and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. As we gather here today, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another."
Sam and Emm are honoured to have their play produced on their ancestors (the Papaschase Cree) homeland.
Leroy McGuinness has met his untimely end and we would like to invite youse to his untimely wake. Who in tarnation did away with Leroy? Why on earth would anyone want to send him to the sweet by and by? Did he make it or is he in need of a little redemption? Please join us at his wake (too soon, too soon) in sayin' our so longs to Leroy. This wake is an inerestin' mix of ol' time cinema, shadow puppetry, original music and live action (and we mean live action)!
Original Music
by Anthony Nootebos
The Rigor Mortis Rag
The Wake of Leroy McGuinness
The Jackalope
A Wake for the Sleeping (a Dirge)
Various efforts (that's another word for sounds in voice over speak)
The Wake of Leroy McGuinness is a comedic murder mystery about loss and legacy written by brothers Sam and Emmett Hanly and directed by their Mom Sue Backs. It includes original art (in the form of shadow puppets) by Mackenzie Delaney and original music composed by Anthony Nootebos. We also have live foley (sound) that you will be able to see produced by our shadow puppeteers/foley people, Corbin and Nathan (some sound will also be made by our musician Andrew).
For example, Bailey tells a story about being thrown in a lake by Leroy. Bailey is in front of the screen. On the screen we see the shadow puppet of young Bailey being thrown into the lake. On stage right we see our shadow puppeteer slapping a cast iron frying pan on some water in a whiskey bucket to make the splashing sound as Leroy hits the lake.
ORIGIN STORY
Well, I directed Sorry Wrong Number by Lucille Fletcher (2018) and The Exquisite Hour by Stewart Lemoine (2019) at Abby Fest (hosted by Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts Society) in the Lower Mainland of BC. We happened to be living there at the time. In 2019 the festival was to be held again and I talked to my children Emm and Sam Hanly about writing a play for it.
They then wrote The Wake of Leroy McGuinness and we were accepted to the festival.
SEGUE
Sam and I saw Manuel Cinema from Chicago at the Chan Centre at UBC. We loved them. It was old school meets new school. They used overhead projectors (remember those dinosaurs from junior high) to project art on a screen. Their actors acted in front of the screen and thus were also projected on the screen along with the beautiful art they were projecting (and using as a kind of animation sometimes). They filmed this (on the other side of the screen) and then projected the film on a screen above. Wild, I know. They had live musicians. It was just so great. The next year they came back and not only had a great show again but offered a $25 workshop, yep, 25 measly bucks to teach people what they did. We jumped at their lovely generosity.
Since we were looking at doing a Fringe I knew we couldn't do exactly what Manuel Cinema was doing. You are generally allowed a 15 minute set up and a 15 minute take down of your set at Fringes. No time to put up multiple screens.
We then happened to come upon a shadow puppet exhibit from South East Asia at The Museum of Anthropology at UBC. It was ancient and modern street theatre at it's best with stunning art.
I really wanted to use the idea of shadow puppets. So, inspired by Manual Cinema and South East Asian shadow puppeteers I put the projectors behind the screen and had the actors act in front of the screen but the actors also become shadow puppets themselves behind the screen. In front or behind the screen they could interact with the shadow puppets on the screen too. The Wake of Leroy McGuinness is set in the Old West so I thought it would be great fun to do this show this way. The shadow puppets allow us to do things we would never be able to do in live theatre alone. Shadow puppets have an essence of the silhouette so popular in the late 1800's yet used in this way are completely modern.
Director's Notes
So grateful to work with all of these talented artists in making a show about loss and legacy in a unique and made us laugh sort of way. We send up some of the tropes of the Old West while having some fun with some of those Old West films and TV shows. We had lots of laughs working and rehearsing this show we hope you enjoy it and that we leave you with thoughts of what your legacy and hopes might be.
The show may be different for you depending on where you sit in the theatre. Higher up you are able to see our shadow puppeteers at work. Lower in the theatre you still see the foley artists and the actors at work of course.
You also can have fun picking out our anachronisms and world props (this is a timeless story) or your favourite line.
Peace and grace to you all
Sue Backs
My children went to high school and university with talented artists, musicians and actors and we asked some of them to join us to make this show. Our shadow puppets were created by Mackenzie Delaney. Our composer, Anthony Nootebos wrote our original music. Both of these artists went to high school with Sam and Emm.
We produced this show for Abby Fest. The next year we were all set to be in the Vancouver Fringe when covid hit. So, no such luck. It was heartbreaking not to be able to do the show so I promised everyone that we would do it when we could. In the meantime my husband and I moved to Edmonton. Alberta being old home territory. In the meantime Emm apprenticed at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver. After producing a show they wrote called Under the Needle Pacific Theatre was able to offer us a staged reading of Leroy.
Sam and Emm had been working on rewrites and it was the perfect time to do the reading. It was June of 2023. Time to try the Fringe again in 2024. I was living in Edmonton once again (I went to the U of A here long ago, Emm and Sam were also born in Edmonton). So,time to try out for the Edmonton Fringe. I knew what a great theatre town Edmonton is and how great to be picked in the Edmonton Fringe lottery! Our actors from our original production were from the Vancouver area. Three of them were still willing and able to do it. In the meantime one of our original shadow puppeteers had moved to Edmonton as well as our musician. So our shadow puppeteer Alex ended up helping us get another two puppeteers Corbin and Nathan. I was able to rehearse our shadow puppeteers in Edmonton and then our actors in Vancouver. Then we drove them the actors to Edmonton to put the show together. Oh, and did I say that our shadow puppeteers were also doing our foley (sound) live. Things like cast iron frying pans splashing water in buckets and live wind sounds made by breathing and whistling. You can watch it all happening!
Below is a little information about the Edmonton Fringe Festival written by the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Also please check out their website
TATAWAW / WELCOME
Tatawaw: welcome, there is room. The future of theatre in Treaty 6 is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible.
Fringe Theatre stands, gathers, creates, celebrates, and works on the lands of the Papaschase Cree. This is Treaty 6 territory. We are beneficiaries of this Treaty of peace and friendship. Today and every day we consider our responsibility as Treaty people.
In that spirit, we extend our minds, hearts, and hands to the Indigenous nations of the Cree, as well as the Nakota, Blackfoot, Dene, Saulteaux, and Metis who have made Edmonton their home long before the building of our city, long before Fringe came to be. We commit to walking side by side with all Indigenous people who continue to make this city home.
We embrace the teachings of Tatawaw, a Nehiyawewin phrase meaning “Welcome, there is room.” At Fringe Theatre, everyone is radically welcome. Together, we are allies. We are neighbours. We are friends. We celebrate all we have been given and honour our relationships and shared connections by paying forward all that we can.
We invite you to join us in this work by extending respect and kindness to everyone you meet, supporting them in their unique artistic journey.
Come share your story with us. Tatawaw.
What is fringing?
Everyone is ‘fringing’! *
*fringing
/’frinj/
(verb) ‘to fringe’
1) Enjoying a unique, evolving Edmonton experience.
2) Being swept up in an international artistic force to be reckoned with.
3) Taking an essential journey for every theatre lover.
4) Participating in a rite of passage for artists from around the world.
Our Story
Fringe Theatre was born of a revolution. We are a grass roots, DIY movement that cultivates ongoing collisions between community and art.
We are Edmonton-grown and Edmonton’s own. We exist because theatre exists, and what exists here doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. At Fringe Theatre, we cultivate art, celebrate community, put people first, think yes, take risks, thrive on change, honour our past, and push forward.
Theatre is an exchange. A living, breathing story shared among people. At Fringe Theatre, we believe in the power of story. Storytelling strengthens communities and crosses divides. It is a starting point, a journey, a celebration.
The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the largest, longest running Fringe Theatre Festival in North America. As an event with international presence, we rank among the top 5 Fringe Festivals in the world alongside Edinburgh, Scotland and Adelaide, Australia.
The magic of Fringe lives with the people who built this Festival from the ground up, and who continue to nurture it 42 years later. The vibrant success of the Edmonton Fringe Festival is thanks to the more than 42,000 Artists who have bravely taken an artistic risk with us since we exploded onto the scene in 1982. It’s thanks to the more than 500,000 Fringers who take creative risks with us every August. It’s thanks to the more than 1,000 Volunteers who continue to help build one of North America’s most influential arts movements.
But the Festival is just 11 days of activity. We are a home to art 365 days a year. We honour the expanding definition of community and aim to build meaningful relationships with anyone interested in collaboration and artistic growth. The Fringe Theatre Arts Barns is a space for brave conversations and great creative risk. This is where chance encounters grow into meaningful collaborations, where messy first inklings become brilliant realizations. This is a loiter-positive space where you are invited to eat, meet, and create year-round.
Fringe Theatre is for you, because fringing is for everyone. We’re happy you’re here, fringer. You belong here.
.....but this is not all! The Fringe theatre movement started with the Edinburgh Fringe. Here are their words on the matter and their website link:
The Fringe is a three-week festival of performing arts that takes place in Edinburgh every August. Its story dates back to 1947, when eight theatre groups turned up uninvited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival.
The Edinburgh International Festival was an initiative created to celebrate and enrich European cultural life in the wake of the Second World War.
Not being part of the official program of the International Festival didn’t stop these performers, they just went ahead and staged their shows on the fringe of the Festival anyway, coining the phrase and our name – the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since the dawn of this spontaneous artistic movement, millions have flocked to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to produce, and to enjoy art of every genre.
Year on year more and more performers followed their example and in 1958 the Festival Fringe Society was created in response to the success of this growing trend. The Society formalised the existence of this collective of performances, provided information to artists, published the Fringe program and created a central box office.
Its constitution was written in line with the ethos that brought these theatre companies to Edinburgh back in 1947; that: the Society was to take no part in vetting the festival’s program.
To this day that policy remains at the core of our festival and we’re proud to include in our program anyone with a story to tell and a venue willing to host them.
This Fringe model has been copied around the world.
Now meet our Wake of Leroy McGuinness artists and watch our site for more information!
Wanted:
Alive or Alive
Sue Backs - Director - is an actor and director. She has BA (Special) in Drama and Political Science from the U of A and is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in NY, NY. While there she received their only scholarship to the RADA in London, UK. She has performed in theatre, television and film across Canada. She has also asst. directed and directed in western Canada. She wrote, co-directed, co-produced and starred in Motherhood and Being a Sandwich or the Best Laid Plans (as well as it's sequel) which are short films which over the last few years have been selected, nominated and won awards at film festivals around the world. She is thrilled to be producing this show once again with such talented people. She is also grateful to those of you who are attending the show and in doing so promote these young artists (and maybe give an old one another kick at the can too).😂
Emm Hanly - Author/Bailey - is an actor, playwright, musician, comedian, co-director and editor. They are a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia living and working on the unceded territory of the Squamish (Skxwú7mesh), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), and Tsleil-Waututh (Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ) Nations. Emmett is passionate about creating genre-bending art that is both surreal and politically engaged, specifically focusing on topics such as queerness, religious trauma, and decolonization. Selected acting credits include Under the Needle (Stone’s Throw Productions), The Lost Souls of Gastown (Forbidden Vancouver), and The Neverland Night Circus (Geekenders). Selected playwriting credits include Under the Needle (Stone’s Throw Productions), The Wake of Leroy McGuinness (Gallery 7 Theatre), and Reach (SAMC Theatre). Emmett also sings and plays guitar in a post-punk band, Rougaroux.
They recently graduated university with a BFA (with distinction) in acting.
Sam Hanly - Author/Assistant - allegedly co-wrote the play “The Wake of Leroy McGuinness” however this has never been conclusively proven. Sam was last seen wandering the woods bewildering the local wildlife. Sam was educated at the school of hard knocks where he learned absolutely nothing. You can be reasonably certain that Sam has written things in the past and less certain that he will write things in the future. If you have any information about Sam Hanly, please keep it to yourself.
Connor Thiessen - Leroy McGuinness - Connor is a Vancouver-based actor, musician, and online content creator originally from Calgary. While he’s spent the last few years mainly performing as the drummer for post-punk band Rougaroux, he is proud to have filled the boots of Leroy for every production of the show so far since its 2019 debut. Aside from performing at the Improv Centre as part of the first season of its house team program, Connor’s past theatrical credits during his undergraduate studies include Tommy in Cover of Life, Egeon in The Comedy of Errors, and Arlequin in The Game of Love and Chance. He is very grateful for your support, and thanks you for graciously attending Leroy’s wake.
Barbara Guertin (they/them) - Blanche - is ecstatic to be performing for the first time out of their home province British Columbia! While most of Barb’s performing takes shape as drag and burlesque, they are no stranger to acting, especially as this character. This will mark the third time they’ve played Blanche and they couldn’t be happier. This show is very special to them, and they can’t wait to share it with you!
Joelle Wyminga - Patricia - is a multidisciplinary theatre artist working in Vancouver as a director, actor, producer, costume designer and is one of the founders of Far From the Tree Productions, an indie theatre company founded on telling honest and intimate theatre. Armed with a wide variety of comfortable shoes and denim jackets, Joelle loves to do work that examines the complexities of humanity in all its forms in hopes of creating a space for people to empathize with those they would never meet through innovative and imaginative storytelling. A history and literature buff, Joelle particularly likes to tell stories surrounding historical events through innovative reimagining, while opening the floor up for all to discuss our triumphs and downfalls of our past. Previous credits include; The Pink Unicorn (Director), Little Women (Director, Script Adaptor), The Marvelous Misadventures of Boofus and Schmoozle (Creator and Performer), Cariboo Magi (Director) all with Far From the Tree, Blood Offering (Co-Director, with lilixmedia at rEvolver Fest), King Lear (Edmund and Costume Assistant, Promethean Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (Adriana- TWU), and The Cover of Life (Tood- TWU), Peter and the Starcatcher, A Wrinkle in Time (Costume Designer, Storybook), Tuck Everlasting (Costume Designer, Arts Umbrella).
Alina Quarin (she/her) - Rosegold - recently emerged back onto the stage after a 6-year hiatus and is so excited to be involved in this production! Her favourite roles include ‘Elaine’ in Arsenic and Old Lace, ‘Jean’ in August: Osage County, ‘Lucy’ in Dracula, ‘Iola’ in Parade, and ‘Nancy’ in Oliver!. Alina is an emerging Intimacy Professional for film and theatre and is passionate about creating safer and consent-forward spaces in entertainment. She has studied both Musical Theatre and Arts and Entertainment Management at Capilano University and works in arts administration and front-of-house operations with Pacific Theatre and various festivals.
Nancy Foster - Wardrobe Mistress - Hi, my name is Nancy Foster . I have worked with Sue Backs on numerous plays, providing input and my sewing skills where needed. I've always enjoyed sewing and creating costumes. I've been the " costume lady" for over 15 years at my children's high-school and enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to helping where I can on this upcoming play" The Wake of Leroy McGuinness".
Alex Delaney - Shadow Puppeteer/Foley - is halfway through the Bachelor of Theatre Production at MacEwan University and has been honoured to work with the cast and crew of Leroy McGuiness twice now. Alex has been active backstage for shows throughout MacEwan and hosts Trivia nights on Sunday at Brewsters. Alex hopes everyone enjoys the show both onstage and behind the curtain! Enjoy the magic of shadow theatre and see you again soon!
Corbin Kaczynski - Shadow Puppeteer/Foley - "I'm an audio tech at heart and just graduated with a Diploma in Theatre Production at MacEwan! I've taught, designed and mixed audio for a few shows outside MacEwan! I also am working on obtaining my Doctorate of Pharmacy from the U of A! I hope that you all enjoy this amazing show that Sue has put together and allowed me and everyone else to be a part of! It has been a unique experience with learning shadow puppeteering and it was a great experience working with wonderful people! Again, enjoy the show!!"
Nathan Behnke (he/him) - Shadow Puppeteer/Foley - is an Edmonton-based theatre technician. Nathan got involved in theatre doing backstage work for his high school drama club, working on productions such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Shrek: The Musical. After high school he took the Theatre Production diploma program at MacEwan University and returned in 2022 to earn his degree, and this summer he will be a part of the first ever graduating class of the BFA program at MacEwan University. As a technician, Nathan is especially interested in costume, props and paint work. This has provided him experience in puppetry through his university capstone project: the design and build of a large-scale, functional, Audrey II puppet from Little Shop of Horrors.
Notable shows and positions include: Sunday In The Park With George (Paint Lead), Twelfth Night (Paint Second), Legally Blonde: The Musical (Costume Lead), Pippin (Costume Lead), Spring Awakening (Props Lead), A Collection of Christopher During Shorts (Lab Artisan).
Mackenzie Delaney - Art Design - Mackenzie is from the Lower Mainland of BC and has created the shadow puppets for The Wake of Leroy McGuinness. We are extremely grateful for his talent and generosity.
Anthony Nootebos - Composer - is a composer hailing from the Greater Vancouver Area in British Columbia. From a young age, Anthony has been enthralled by music and the creation of it, being enrolled in piano lessons at the age of 7, and writing his first song at the age of 10 (it wasn't very good, though). Ever since then, Anthony has been writing music for games, theatre, film, and for his own personal enjoyment. He is a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Music."
Andrew Whiteside - Musician - Born in Richmond British Columbia, Andrew fell in love with music at a very young age being involved with music in the Church and in schools. Andrew is a versatile multi-instrumentalist being a sought after conductor, vocalist, and pianist in the Edmonton area. Andrew hold a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Trinity Western University and has recently completed a Masters in Music at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Tim Shantz. He is currently the Music Director at Inglewood Christian Reformed Church, a Tenor in the core of ProCoro Canada, and conducts Opera at the University of Alberta. Previous Theatrical credits include the debut performances of The Wake of Leroy McGuiness, Pirates of Penzance with the U of A Opera Theatre, and Anne of Green Gables at Trinity Western University.
Stephen Elcheshen is a cryogenics technician by day, and theatre geek by night. Recent roles include Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Shadows and Dreams), Arthur, Sir Bors, and half the other characters in Spamalot (White Rock), and Wooster in Jeeves Intervenes (Gallery 7). When not on stage, he spends his time making fight scenes safe and exciting for Gallery 7, Royal Canadian, and Shadows and Dreams theatre companies.
Our heartfelt thanks to all of those who helped make this show possible:
Michael Hanly
Ken Hildebrandt Executive/Artistic Director at Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts
Gallery 7 Theatre and Performing Arts Abbotsford
Charlene Mason
Pacific Theatre Vancouver
Wendy Ilnicki
Yellowhead Regional Library
ech(o) Hair Design 8135 102 St NW #205, Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4
Grace Robinson
George M Finley
Mary Amerasinghe
Kim Backs
Marsha Pittlekow
Dominos Pizza
All of the actors who acted or read previously to bring this show to where it is, Barbara Guertin
Claudia Fraser, Laura Martinez, Connor Thiessen, Sam Hanly, Shel Wyminga, Amanda Haggett
If we have forgotten anyone please forgive us. We so appreciate all the help we have been given.
