“Imagine a river of dreams. A river which embodies the spiritual essence of every river human beings have encountered over thousands of years.
“True, every river radiates a distinct individual personality, yet they also share a common magic, an incredible ability to act as Muse for the works of countless artists. Musicians, painters, dancers and writers have created the most amazing works through the direct influence of rivers upon them.”
So says John Hibberson, the director of Midway…and Beyond Little
Theatre talking about his latest project, River of Dreams scheduled for
performance Nov. 4 in the Midway Community Hall.
“We happen to live in a very special locality, the West Boundary.
Writer Norman Maclean states in his famous novel, ‘Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.’ Nothing is closer to the truth when we think of our own river, the Kettle.
“It has faithfully nourished our land’s First Peoples, settlers, and present inhabitants throughout our history here together. Basically, it is why we have been able to live here and why we can continue to do so.”
But it is more than a source of water, a biological necessity of all life, HIbberson added. For so many people living on or near the Kettle the river, it has also nourished their mental well being, their spiritual health.
“The Kettle throughout the passage of a year is stunningly beautiful. When the weight of being a human bears heavy upon one, its waters also refresh the soul.”
River of Dreams is a celebration of both the Kettle in particular and rivers in general. Involving five young people from the area and dancer’s from the highly respected Allegro Dance Company of Nelson, this original work intends to take you on a highly visual journey of spoken word and dance.
The majority of the script come from the writings of one man, Michael Delp, a poet and passionate fly fisherman. According to Hibberson, the combination of writer and fisherman has given Delp a remarkable insight into the secret life of rivers. His ability “to read the river” reminds him of B.C.’s own famous naturalist and writer, Roderick Haig-Brown.
The production consists of three shows. The first is as the featured entertainment at this year’s annual Kootenay Lake Water Conference on Oct. 24 in Nelson. The second will be held in the famous Capitol Theatre of Nelson on Nov. 3. The show will then wind up here in Midway on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for $10 at The Spot in Midway, can be reserved at 250-
449-2345, or bought at the door on the night.
Something a little different; something worth dreaming about.
