Critically acclaimed satire brings Métis voices to UCalgary stage

The University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts in the Faculty of Arts is set to lift the curtain on a critically acclaimed, satiric play set against the backdrop of the Canadian fur trade and the Red River Uprising in the 1860s to 1880s. 

Frances Koncan’s Women of the Fur Trade will be directed by Master of Fine Arts student Geordie Cowan and centres on three fictional women, one Métis, one Indigenous, and one settler, and two historical figures, Louis Riel and Thomas Scott. 

“It is a comedy, and it is pseudo-historical, but it’s also a modern play with modern language and references,” says Cowan. 

“It’s the story of the three women’s friendship and all of the different experiences they’re having with each other at that time.” 

The play has already sold out runs in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Regina and its debut at the Stratford Festival. The UCalgary show will be the first Alberta production of the play and will even be renting some of the costumes used in the original Stratford Festival production.  

“We’re incredibly fortunate to get the rights to do this play,” says Christine Brubaker, an associate professor of drama in the School of Creative and Performing Arts. 

MFA students present a research question and then get to pitch and propose a series of shows. Cowan’s research question revolved around how Métis identity is expressed through dramatic literature and on stage.  

“It’s really cool for me, as a Métis artist, to dive into this topic,” says Cowan. “To dive into this duality that a lot of Métis people live in of am I Indigenous or am I white? Am I both or am I neither?” 

Cowan says the main character, Marie-Angelique, represents this duality that Métis people face as she is tugged between her Indigenous and her settler friend throughout the play.  

“We’re excited because we know the community wants to see this play,” says Brubaker. “We have the right team of artists to do this work.” 

Brubaker says the department wants this production to be a celebration of Métis culture. On opening night, Nov. 1, Elder Kerrie Moore, who is also Cowan’s aunt, will be hosting and Dr. Craig Ginn, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Classics and Religion and director of the International Indigenous Studies Program, will be singing songs he has been working on specifically about Louis Riel.   

A panel will also be held following the matinee on Nov. 8 discussing the play from a multi-generational Métis perspective.  

“The visibility of this play for Métis identity is really important,” explains Cowan. “There hasn’t been a lot of representation for Métis people on the stage, so I think this play is a really nice way for us to feel heard and feel seen, on top of it being funny.” 

The historical connections run even further for Cowan, whose great-great grandmother graces the poster for the UCalgary production. She was the daughter of James Isbister, who is considered the founder of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and was one of the four delegates sent to recall Riel from Montana. 

Women of the Fur Trade will run from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8 at the Reeve Theatre. Find ticket information here.