“How many Indigenous artists does it take to make an Opera indigenous?” While this question shouldn’t have to be asked in the first place, it’s what Against the Grain Theatre was faced with when the funding got pulled for their full scale production of Indians on Vacation, an opera based on the novel by Thomas King. With music by Ian Cusson and libretto by Royce Vavrek, and directed by the incomparable Yvette Nolan, Indians on Vacation was very suddenly put on hold. However, in an act of pure tenacity, Against the Grain decided to put on a one-time-only concert version, including a selection of pieces from the original work. Featuring a stunning cast and a chamber orchestra live on stage, Indians on Vacation is a story of struggle and joy which we can all find ourselves in.

This production began with a sung Land Acknowledgement, with music by Cusson and written by Nolan. This was a beautiful and multi-faceted piece, encompassing several of Canada’s Indigenous languages and communities. I truly hope this will become a standard, at all live performances in the future.

Mimi and Bird are on vacation in Prague. They’re following a trail of postcards from one of Mimi’s uncles who was forced to join a European Circus when he was a young man. Though Mimi is excited and ready for adventure, Bird doesn’t quite have his heart in the trip. His demons, who all have names given to them by Mimi, have come along for the journey despite his best efforts to leave them at home. As the couple make their way through this ancient city, they encounter a cast of interesting folks including a very forward stranger at the hotel’s buffet breakfast and various other couples along the Charles Bridge. But will Bird be able to let go and enjoy this adventure? Or will his worries from home follow him all the way to Europe and beyond?

For this concert version of Indians on Vacation, we heard a selection of the main songs, done on a simple set. Davida Tkach’s lighting design allows us to know when they’re out in Prague and when they’re inside, but otherwise the primary focus of this performance was on the music and the stories they’re telling. However, I have to give a shout out to Jeff Chief and Olga Korolyuk for creating a stellar bubble-bath dress for the “Ravishing Kwagiulth Woman” piece. Think Jada Essence Hall but dialed to eleven! Inserted between the songs were testimonials from the performers about this process and how the cancellation of the initial run affected them. Having no background about the controversy surrounding this show prior to seeing it, I felt that it was very powerful to have these performers explain in their own words to the audience what this piece means to them and how they were affected by the funding pull which shut down the fully staged production. Not only did we get to know the performers better, we also got to hear about their passion for this opera and what it means to them as singers but also as Indigenous people themselves.

From the few pieces we were able to hear, I immediately felt a connection to both Mimi and Bird. Bird struggles with his mental health, something many of us work on every day. While Mimi juggles being excited about their vacation and supporting her husband through his troubles. Combined with our desire to know our past and our ancestors, Indians on Vacation can truly reach anyone’s heart. I also enjoyed that while it didn’t shy away from difficult subjects like residential schools or the 60’s scoops, this is not the focus of the story. The focus, as Marion Newman (who plays Mimi) put so eloquently, is Indigenous joy; it’s about the couple finding themselves, and finding joy, while on this wild adventure.

Newman and Evan Korbut starred as Mimi and Bird. I thought that the two of them had fabulous chemistry on stage, and they embodied their characters with expert flair. Giles Tomkins is hilarious in both his roles as Oz, the man Bird meets in the buffet, and Chip, one of Bird’s demons. Julie Lumsden, Kelly McPeek, Asitha Tennekoon, and Danlie Rae Acebeque are both fantastic ensemble members as Bird’s demons, but then have their moments to shine in solo numbers which highlight their immense vocal talents.

My hope is that Indians on Vacation will get to have a fully staged run here in Toronto very soon. Not only do these impressive performers deserve to showcase the hard work they’ve put into this opera, but this is a story which resonates deeply with so many people, that it should get to be told in full. From the little amuse bouche which we were given at Stories Don’t Die, I am very much looking forward to the main course.

To keep up with the amazing work that Against the Grain Theatre is doing, you can check out their website at: https://atgtheatre.com/

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Cover Photo: Giles Tomkins, Danlie Rae Acebuque, Julie Lumsden, Asitha Tennekoon, and KeelyMcPeek. Photo by Lauren Halasz.

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