Vimy at the Firehall Arts Centre
Daryl King and Sasa Brown. Photo by Tim Matheson. Used with permission.
Despite being a nation known for its peacefulness, Canada has participated in several wars throughout its history: the Boers War, World War I and World War II, to name a few.
A new play at the Firehall Arts Centre in Chinatown explores one of the most important battles in the history of Canadian warfare: the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Floating from the present into the past, VIMY looks at the motivations and stories of eight young people and how they came to be part of the war. Set in a field hospital, the story is revealed through the eyes of a young nurse as she cares for the wounded following the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Leading up to the premiere of the play on November 2nd, there will be a community dialogue session on “Women and War” on October 24th at the Peter Kaye Room at the Central Library and a photo exhibit called Peace at War at the Firehall Arts Centre from October 20th to November 19th.
Don’t miss this chance to learn more about this important part of Canadian history. We have a pair of tickets to give away for the premiere of the play on November 2nd. To enter, tell us in the comments if and how war has affected you. Do you have loved ones serving abroad? A family member who fought in Europe? We want to hear your stories.
For an extra entry, tweet the following:
Told @hummingbird604 a war story 2 enter 2 win tix to #Vimy at @FirehallArtsCte. Share yours at http://is.gd/yyOBR4
We will draw a winner on Friday, October 28th at 2PM. Remember to use a valid email. Check your tweets, your email and this post on the day of the draw.
What: Vimy
Where: Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova, Vancouver
When: November 2nd to 19th (with discussion session on October 24th and exhibit from October 20th until closing of the play)
More information: Firehall Arts Centre or 604-689-0926
My children’s grandparents and their families were in Denmark in WWII. So among the things they or their friends endured … prison, camp, disappearances of friends never to be seen again.
My family come from NZ – The total number of New Zealand troops and nurses to serve overseas in 1914-1918, was 103,000, from a population of just over a million. Officially close to 17,000 died and 42,000 returned home wounded. My grandfather came back – but not his younger brother. His sons fought in World War 2.
I don’t have any family that served in the military, but I do deal with war veterans through my job. The play sounds very interesting and I’m sure I would learn a lot by watching it.
My husbands grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge and survived to tell about it. He passed away in 1989, the year my husband and I met. I know my husband would enjoy seeing this play.
I don’t have family who’s served in the war but I think the concept of war affects us all in general.
No, I know just a couple of people doing that.
None of my family served in the war. My greatest wish from a young age was world peace. What happened? How come we can’t get along?
My parents were children in Italy during WWII. They remember food shortages and feared the soldiers.
My uncle fought the Japanese in a flying boat for the US. My grandfather made a lot of money off the war then lost it all in the 50’s.