10 Lost Years
10 Lost Years is a powerful play about real people and communities during the "Dirty 30's". It is a compilation of stories about hard times and about resilience in the face of extended drought and economic depression. Based on the 1973 book by Barry Broadfoot, this simple and powerful production brings to life, in a manner no textbook can, the extraordinary lives of the men, women and children who survived Canada's Great Depression. These are the true stories of our grandparents and great-grandparents, some of whom lived right here in Alberta. With humour and emotion, 10 Lost Years captures the tragedy, love, and courage necessary to survive one of the darkest times in Canadian history.
In a number prairie landscape paintings, there's a solitary figure or building pushing up past the horizon line, standing defiantly against an overwhelming sky. Ten Lost Years brings to life the stories of an entire generation of Canadians who lived their formative years during the Great Depression. Told with an astonishingly honest simplicity - just the actors giving voice to the images - these stories portray the courage, incredible humour and stoicism of the men and women who lived through these tumultuous times as recorded in Barry Broadfoot's masterpiece, Ten Lost Years. The show, presented by live actors and singers, is an excellent companion to your Canadian curriculum component and comes with a complete curriculum guide. Special talk back or interactive sessions with the actors or director are also available to enhance your curriculum.
Media Release March 10, 2009 For Immediate Release Horizon Stage presents two performances of 10 Lost Years Theatrical production brings a personal touch to true stories from the Great Depression Based on the book by Barry Broadfoot, 10 Lost Years is a powerful play about real people and communities during the "Dirty 30s". It is a compilation of stories about hard times and resilience in the face of extended drought and economic depression.
Author and former journalist, Barry Broadfoot, traveled Canada in 1973, asking people in bars and train stations, on planes and buses one simple question, "What do you remember about the Depression?" Initially, many of them weren't able to recall anything. But, gradually, as his tape recorder rolled, memories filled with humour, emotion, tragedy, love, and courage were unlocked. He collected those stories, published them word for word, and 35 years later, they are still substantial, gripping and awe-inspiring. They were the experiences of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents and they should never be forgotten.
Former Edmonton theatre veteran and co-founder of Northern Light Theatre, Scott Swan, bought Barry Broadfoot's book and, as he read it, he was amazed by the honesty and simplicity of the stories and the humour and stoicism of the men and women telling them. He decided to write his own stage-adaptation of the book, focusing on the individuals. Using just actors, images from that era, music and the audience, he created this incredibly-compelling piece of theatre and is now touring it across Western Canada.
"This production touches the heart and enlivens the spirit of everyone who sees it…" Gail Barrington-Moss, City of St. Albert
"Sitting in the audience, we forget we are watching actors on the stage and are transported to another time." Vivian Elias, Athabasca
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