Mi'kmaw play to go on in Halifax park after N.S. wildfire restrictions cause uncertainty
Province permits performances in wooded area under strict conditions
For the Mi'kmaq-led play Metu'na'q (Mi'kmaw for stormy weather), the days leading up to its Halifax debut have been a whirlwind.
The Indigenized take on Shakespeare's The Tempest was created in collaboration between Halifax-based Zuppa Theatre and The Sipu Tricksters, a Mi'kmaw collective from Sipekne'katik First Nation. It centres on Caliban's story and reimagines the characters as Indigenous figures navigating the early days of colonization.
After a debut last summer in Sipekne'katik, the production was set to open Friday in Point Pleasant Park.
But on Tuesday, with Nova Scotia facing extreme dryness and no rain in the forecast, the province announced a ban on most activities in the woods to reduce wildfire risks. That included wooded areas in municipal parks. Anyone violating the ban risks a $25,000 fine.
But the play is performed on one of Shakespeare by the Sea's shady, tree-covered stages within the park. The natural setting is weaved into the script of the play, with wooded backdrops acting as important parts of the story's setting.
"What makes the play really unique is that we're in the woods, and we actually use it for its potential," said Bella-Rose Masty from Sipekne'katik, who is playing the role of Caliban.
"It just fits the scene for the entire play because they're shipwrecked on an island and here we are in the woods as they would be on the island."
On Wednesday, they found out that the park's main trail would be open, but any secondary, wooded trails would be closed, including those leading to Shakespeare by the Sea stages.
That meant a postponed premiere and a last-minute scramble for potential alternatives.
Ben Stone, director for Metu'na'q and founder of Zuppa, said the announcement came as a shock but the crew were used to adapting after navigating a theatre company through pandemic restrictions.
Stone said with thanks to their partnership with Shakespeare by the Sea, both groups were granted permits from the province to allow performances to go ahead in their regular venues in the park, under strict conditions.
Attendees must stay on the main path to and from performance sites, guided by theatre staff. They must remain at those sites during the performance, and there can be no smoking or vaping in the park.
"We missed two full days of rehearsal in the park, which meant we had to cancel performances in order to make up for them, but hopefully it won't impact our audience too much," said Stone.
Lily-Mkel, who is Mohawk from Kanehsatà:ke but lives in Sipekne'katik, plays Trinculo and said "It would have been a big loss for the play to not be out here."
"I feel like it's culturally appropriate too, considering [the park is] ancestral Mi'kma'ki land."
Metu'na'q has weathered the storm and the production will now open Wednesday, with a preview on Sunday.
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