Daily Dose — Capitol Theatre kicks off season in September
By Ari Lord
A new season opens at the Capitol Theatre with fresh programming beginning in September — highlighted by a boundary-breaking ballet from Cameron Fraser-Monroe called The Cowboy Act Suite.
This show calls into question the dichotomy between “Cowboys and Indians.”
Using humour, powerful music, and a spectacular visual display, the ballet explores how the Indian Act, a federal law governing Indigenous peoples, still shapes lived realities of Indigenous people.
“We are bringing a lot of production value to the stage with The Cowboy Act. There are lots of very talented people involved. That’s a hallmark of my work, to feature other Indigenous artists and that’s what we’ve done here with all of the designers and musicians,” says Fraser-Monroe.
Fraser-Monroe’s intuitive take on the “swashbuckling strut” of the Cowboy informs this critical unpacking of a one-sided version of history. In fact, it flips that narrative on its head, and asks what occurs when an “Indian” directs the cowboys.
The ballet is touring to five locations in BC, and has a poignant first showing for its creator.
“Our first stop is very exciting, very personal to me,” says Fraser-Monroe.
“It’s tiskʷat which is known colonially as Powell River on September 11th. It’s the first time my work will be brought back to my home territory of the Tla’amin Nation. I’m looking forward to presenting it to the family and bringing it back to the lands where these stories came from, where they were kept.”
The show will also hit Chilliwack, Vernon, and Cranbrook.
For Fraser-Monroe, the inspiration was a problematic moment in history in the mid-1800s.
“The Cowboy Act was inspired in part by the historical photos of First Nations peoples by Edward Sheriff Curtis. But what a lot of people don’t know is that those photos were often staged, costumed by Curtis. So, we have a real colonial perspective on those people,” he says.
That’s where rewriting the narrative became so important for the ballet’s creator.
“What I wanted to do was flip the script and point out the absurdity and absolutely the humour by having an Indigenous photographer capture cowboys and wildlife.”
The show is also informed by key historical moments that continue to shape the lives of Indigenous peoples.
“I’m also using the structure to criticize the Indian Act, which has touched all of our lives in Canada. But I’m doing it in a light, absurdist way, and while laughing, because that’s the best way to learn and the best medicine. The Cowboy Act is very much a comedy,” explains Fraser-Monroe.
The Indian Act is a Canadian federal law from 1876 that governs in matters pertaining to “Indian status, bands, and Indian reserves,” and remains a law to this day.
For Fraser-Monroe, learning together was a goal of the show.
“We’ve put quotes from the Indian Act on the projector of in old timey movie style. We’ve just flipped the word Indian for cowboy. It’s very easy to follow along with what’s going on on stage.”
The show is inspired by an hour-length work he choreographed for the Kelowna Ballet, and it is truly a multi-media experience, with intricately designed costumes, and even a full-sized Chuck wagon on stage, that’s 12 feet tall.
Fraser-Monroe hopes the show will make audience members become curious about this law that shaped the national economy.
“Life as it is today is shaped by the expropriation of lands by the band council system.”
This is definitely not a traditional ballet, says Fraser-Monroe.
“Lots of people, when they hear the word ballet, expect tutus and tiaras. But this is really not that. We do have pointe shoes and dancers trained in the classical technique, but we’re leaning into new voices and new choreographers from this day and age, so not something that’s so old fashioned.”
The evening will consist of three performances, and there will be something for everyone. Even people not accustomed to ballet and ballet fans alike will find something to enjoy.
The Cowboy Act Suite will be paired with two other signature works from Ballet Kelowna’s repertoire. Simone Orlando’s “Delicate Fire” explores the emotional legend of Aphrodite and Adonis, and Seiji Suzuki’s “Stolen Tide” highlights the importance of social connection.
Tickets are $38 for adults, $34.50 for seniors, and $20 for 30 and under.
Buy tickets to the show here.
Cameron Fraser-Monroe’s The Cowboy Act Suite is a ballet that explores the dichotomy between “Cowboys and Indians.” — Abigail Wiens photo
Capitol’s new season gets underway on September 7th, with the Season Launch Variety Show.
Hosted by Avi Phillips and Heather Gingras. Audience members are invited to rock their best 70s retro outfits for a night of flashy drinks, tasty snacks, and a lively variety show.
Attendees can win door prizes, fun quizzes, and surprise performances by local celebrities at this free event. It’s a great time to get your Capitol season’s pass or a single event ticket.
On September 27th, one of Canada’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, triple Juno Award-willing Ron Sexsmith, will hit the stage as part of his “Sexsmith at Sixty” tour.
Sexsmith has collaborated with the likes of Daniel Lanois, Mitchell Froom, Ane Brun, Tchad Blake, and Bob Rock. His songwriting appears on albums from Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, Emmylou Harris and Feist.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $31.50 for seniors, and $10 for 30 and under.
There are a range of external events being hosted at the Capitol, ranging from Elephant Mountain Literary Festival on September 13th and 14th, and on September 15th there are open auditions for Capitol Theatre’s 35th Annual Winter Community Production, Toad Mountain.
On September 23rd, is an evening with Harry Manx, and September 28th is Kelowna’s Yamabiko Taiko presenting a taiko (broad range of Japanese percussion instruments) show Yui.
Please connect to this month’s Capitol events here.
Ari Lord is the Reporter for the Hall Printing Daily Dose.
