A poignant story of love, loss and post-war survival comes to the Kelowna stage for three days this November.
Liberation Days, written by Calgary playwright David van Belle, revisits Canadian soldiers含羞草研究社� liberation of the Netherlands含羞草研究社� from years of Nazi occupation during the Second World War.
In the weeks that follow, a Dutch woman and Canadian soldier fall in love and try to forge a new life together despite both having pasts that desperately want them back.
Presented by Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 and directed by Kendra Hesketh, Liberation Days runs Nov. 8 to 10 in the Mary Irwin Theatre.
含羞草研究社淚t is a love story and a story of survival and how people persevere when they have lost everything,含羞草研究社� says Bonnie Gratz, New Vintage Theatre含羞草研究社檚 artistic director.
Emma and her mother have sold everything, have gone hungry, have seen others ally themselves with the Germans just to survive.
When the liberators arrive, 含羞草研究社渢here含羞草研究社檚 a strong kinship, of course, but for some, also a little animosity,含羞草研究社� Gratz says, explaining that while the Canadians bring a 含羞草研究社渂right, shining hope含羞草研究社� to many, for others, they also highlight everything that has been lost.
Performed across Canada, the play含羞草研究社檚 Kelowna premiere is timely as the Okanagan prepares to mark Remembrance Day, Gratz says, noting some of those liberating soldiers would have hailed from the region.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 our story 含羞草研究社� it含羞草研究社檚 a Canadian story 含羞草研究社� and that makes it even more meaningful, I think.含羞草研究社�
Message remains meaningful today
While a poignant piece of history, Liberation Days has much to say about Canada含羞草研究社檚 continued efforts in the world, and how globally we all continue to need each other, Gratz suggests.
含羞草研究社淲hen we think of war, we often think of a set number of years 含羞草研究社� but we don含羞草研究社檛 always think about the after-effects. The experience shapes their lives in both positive and negative ways and it shapes who they become,含羞草研究社� she reflects, suggesting that a commitment to rebuilding after conflict 含羞草研究社� to understanding the human cost 含羞草研究社� is vital. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 the investment Canada is making to make sure countries and their people are built up for the future.含羞草研究社�
Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 connection
Complementing the on-stage performances, New Vintage Theatre has also partnered with the Kelowna Museums, which will bring a variety of related displays to the lobby, and the Kelowna-Veendam Sister City Association, which supports cultural exchange between the Okanagan and the Netherlands, in recognition of the role played by Kelowna troops in the liberation of Holland.
Tickets and details
Tickets for this beautiful tale of humanity and hope are $25 adults, $20 students, seniors and members, and $15 veterans. The minimum age is 12 years.
, or call the Rotary Centre for the Arts box office at 250-717-5304.