We are currently offering Presentations, Group Presentations and Monologues.
Any of these pieces can be combined. We will work to your time frame.
There are no fees for any of these performances.
Contributions to The London Women’s History Project are appreciated.
To Book call Theresa at 519-852-5419
Presentations
These are lively, illustrated talks on either of two key periods in the history of women in Canada:
1800-1930 – during this time women gained ground in local politics, got the federal vote, and became Persons under Canadian Law and, therefore, were able to sit in the Senate.
Some of our actors at Centennial Hall, London,
2018 1960-1985 –this was the “Women’s Lib” Era when women made a big leap forward in such areas as employment, entrance to higher education, pay equity, day-care, control of their own bodies, and much more. It was a very active period in London. This history is recorded in the LWHP book about the women leaders of this period, Voices of Change.
Group Performances (15-20 min.)
At the moment there are two pieces:
The Famous Five
This introduces the five women who became famous when they fought the Persons Case and won in 1929. The women are Emily Murphy, the first woman judge in Canada; Nellie McClung, a well-known author and journalist; Henrietta Muir Edwards, one of the founders of the VON; Irene Parlby, MPP Alberta, the first woman to sit in a legislature; Louise McKinney, MPP Alberta, who was the first woman in Canada to sit in a Cabinet. The famous statues can be seen on Parliament Hill.
Edmonton 1917
Set in Edmonton during the Great War, we see the Famous Five return from a protest march to drink tea and discuss their cause and the war. Prime Minister, Robert Borden is in Edmonton and they must speak up. Although this piece was written for school students studying World War One in Grade 9-10 history, it has proved popular with adult audiences because it brings a greater understanding of how women eventually managed to get the vote in Canada in 1918.
Monologues
There are four monologues, each performed by a costumed actor. When accompanied by a narrator, who will answer questions, each will take 30 minutes.
Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893)
Abolitionist, Suffragist, and the first woman to own/operate a newspaper in Canada.
Emily Stowe (1801-1903)
The first woman Principal and the first woman Doctor in Canada. She led the Toronto Suffrage Movement.
Agnes Macphail (1890-1954)
At the age of 32, Agnes became the first woman elected to the Canadian Parliament and later, the first woman MPP in Ontario.
Viola Desmond (1914-1965)
In 1946, Viola, a successful businesswoman, was confronted by racism and held her ground, at great personal cost. She began the Canadian Civil Rights Movement.