Brent Hirose’s Japanese-Canadian grandparents were forced by the Canadian government to leave their home on B.C. West Coast in 1942 and live in the province’s Interior.
When he was about 10, his grandparents told him stories about the relocation and as he grew older and more socially conscious, he began to learn more.
Hirose is sharing his story and his grandparents’ tale during Lost and Left Behind, a storytelling show in the lobby of the Port Theatre Tuesday (Oct. 4) at 8 p.m.
“While it addresses some fairly sad parts of Canadian history, it’s also funny and touching,” said Hirose. “It’s about family. It’s about legacy.”
Hirose said Lost and Left Behind is a storytelling show. He isn’t playing a character, but will be using theatre techniques to get across to the audience his story and stories from his grandparents.
Hirose said part of the message in his show is about the next generation and how that generation comes to terms with these stories.
“[Audience members] come away more with a sense of gratefulness about what the previous generation has done for them,” said Hirose.
Hirose has also researched the forcible relocation of Japanese-Canadians and said he is also working on a full-length play about the issue, but in the meantime he created his one-man show to tell the tale.
Lost and Left Behind won Best of Fest for the 2012 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
Hirose works as an actor, writer, director, singer and voice-over artist in Vancouver.
He has written several plays including Life in a Box, When the Killer Mutant Lizards Attack, The Suckerpunch and The History of Theatre, which was nominated for the Harry Rintoul award in 2007.
Lost and Left Behind is part of the Offstage Lobby Theatre Series by the Port Theatre.
Tickets are $25 adults, $22 members, $15 students and $5 for eyeGo and are available in advance by calling 250-754-8550 or www.porttheatre.com.
For more information please go to http://brenthirose.com/blog.php.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
