Page 38 - Mighty Miramichi River Guide 2024

"IS HE AWAKE?" - A Last Toast to Old Matt Daley

By: Thomas Daley

Death is something we have This June, Character Matters
come to fear more than pretty much Miramichi and myself are happy to
anything else. present "IS HE AWAKE?" A Last
Certainly the images of death that Toast to Old Matt Daley, an Irish
bombard our screens constantly, Wake Comedy. Yes, you read that
along with the accompanying crime, right it is a COMEDY.
destruction and wars are a cause for I believe comedy is needed
reflection on what an abysmal failure more than ever when death is near
we are as a species. by. I can't think of a greater feeling
We don't like to think about than to be able to face death with a
death, it is more convenient to push smile and a joke knowing that I
the thoughts to the future. Something have completed what I wanted to
we will deal with when we aren't as do here and am ready for what
busy or...when we are older. comes next.
But at any given moment our This play was very cathartic to
fragile existence could come to an write and I have put more of myself
end whether from a tumour we didn't into this than anything I have
know we had growing inside us, or a written in the past 20 years. It is set
STOP sign we didn't see, until we in Barnaby River. The tiny
heard glass shattering. community where I grew up.
We don't like to talk about death It is a love letter to Irish
either. Whether it's running into comedy. From the brilliant works of
somebody we vaguely know at the Martin McDonagh to the zaniness
grocery store who lost someone close of Father Ted. It is filled with
to them or we are standing Character Matters presents an original play written quirky characters and witty
awkwardly in the receiving line next by Thomas Daley, "IS HE AWAKE?" A Last Toast to dialogue. The sort of stuff that
Old Matt Daley.
to the casket of someone we deeply piqued my interest in acting years
loved. We never know quite the right ago.
thing to say. More so it was inspired by my real life, from stories and
Death. events, jokes and tales, a one-of-a-kind culture that I
It makes us uncomfortable. experienced as a child without even fully knowing it.
But this wasn't always the case. I hope you will come out and see what I have been
Our ancestors lived closer to death than we do. stewing for the past 40 years.
At any time, bad weather, a crop failure or a simple
infection could end their lives...or their children's lives. Showtimes
They lived closely with nature and witnessed the struggle June 14 & 15: In Renous at The Folklore Park, at 7pm each
animals go through to survive and their much shorter evening.
lifespans. June 21 & 22: In Newcastle at The St. James & St. John
Death was a much more regular visitor in those days. As United Church Centre, at 7pm each evening.
a result, a unique relationship with death grew, it couldn't be
avoided so when the time came it might as well be accepted. Tickets are $25 and available at the door.
It was the end of a life. Sometimes remarkably long,
often painfully short. Whatever the case people needed a RSVP.
ceremony to commemorate the end of life. hello@charactermattersmiramichi.com
In the Celtic countries, a very special goodbye ritual took Or by calling 506-251-2843
form. It involved a couple of days worth of celebration, with Don't forget to follow Character Matters
food and drinks, music and storytelling, friends, family, Miramichi on Facebook and Instagram.
neighbours and even rivals came to take part in the event.
It still lives on today. It is called a Wake.

38 Mighty Miramichi River Guide 2024/25 | www.riverguide.ca