SPIRIT OF THE NARROWS
Photos: Will Henry
SPIRIT OF THE NARROWS
"SPIRIT OF THE NARROWS" is the story of a journey--from present to past, from one state of mind to another, and from one culture to another while these cultures, Native and Euro-Canadian, permeate and intertwine on the Canadian prairies. Through one woman's eyes, it is the story of a music and of the people who created it, and who, against all odds, continue to play it. The music is like no other, embodying aspects of Ojibwa, Cree, Scottish, French, English, American and eastern European traditions, a uniquely Canadian music played on a small box with four strings. In the mid-80's, Anne went to Ebb and Flow and Silver Ridge, to Camperville and Pine Creek, all Aboriginal communities in Manitoba to record First Nations and Métis fiddlers. While making those historic recordings, she entered a world very different from her own. Spirit of the Narrows is alive with humour, insight and respect. It is both a personal journey, and a tribute to the people and the music she came to know.
Spirit of the Narrows began as a solo storytelling/fiddling performance, but was re-written in 2004 as a two-person theatrical event for the Blyth Theatre Festival. It premiered at the Festival on July 20, and got such rave reviews over its initial 5-day run that it was brought back in 2005 for another successful run. In 2015/2016, it was revived at the Pearl COmpany in Hamilton under the direction of Gary Santucci, where it was called "the Best of 2015" by Hamilton Arts paper, The View. It ran for 3 sold-out performances at Toronto's Small World Theatre in the Fall of 2017.
Vivid, layered intimiate, and at points, mystical. . .the musicians she meets nad the complaexity and pathos of their experiences as individuals and as First Nations people are beautifully brought ot life. The two actors navigate time, space, clashes of dntity culture nad musical traditions into one skillfully woven performance. Alison Jones, The View
You cannot experience Sp[irit of the Narrows without thinking that Lederman was born to find this music. Robert Reid, The Record.
The CAST:
Capucine Onn - Young Anne
Anne Lederman - As herself, and a host of other fiddler"It is a wonder how she makes it real
Validates the story with music somehow old as culture
There is a whirling magic set in motion
Which spins between her fingers on the fiddle neck
Her dancing feet below the chair
And the flying bow upon the strings.
This central performance of story is a rapport
Which draws the spirit of those who watch, listen,
And experience the moment in its magic.*" *Barry Milliken (written while watching a solo perfromance of the show at York University).Bookings/Inquiries: anne.lederman@gmail.com, 416- 538 - 9036
ANNE performs a SOLO version of the show in more informal settings: folk clubs, house concerts etc.
