Page 14 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Fall Giver 2024

A Family Affair ‐ October 25 & 26

Few Things Can Haunt You Like Family

“A Family Affair,” the upcoming own future, and preparing to propose
production from Character Matters to his long-time sweetheart. Peter and
Miramichi – to be staged on October Isabella’s daughter, Blanche, was a
25 and 26 (7:00pm) at the St James student, with aspirations that meant
and St John United Church Centre – she would need to confront society’s
is subtitled “A story of family taboos about both women, and the
tension, and personal scandal, in infirm. In 1872, the revelation of a
Victorian Miramichi.” Some in the long-kept secret proved to be the
cast and crew have even referred to beginning of more than two decades
it as “A Victorian soap opera.” of strife, as the family was tested and
The Victorian era is one of the taxed in ways they could scarcely
most romanticized periods in our imagine, let alone endure.
community’s past – a time when This is a show about the
industry boomed, settlers began to struggles people face, both at home
see “home” as no longer being across and within themselves. Its characters,
the ocean, and when the names and broader themes, are as applicable
Rankin, Cunard, Snowball, in our own time as they were in the
Hutchison, and Burchill were 19th century – faith struggling to not
synonymous with “progress.” Today, become intolerance; power being
we understand Victorian values tempted by corruption; a sense of
somewhat differently, as having a much more bleak side that compassion giving ground to a desire to manipulate and
was rarely spoken about, at that time. This production is very control; strong personalities drifting towards ignorance and
much interested in that side, and, taking place in the midst of self-absorption. Our intention is to underscore that the rosy
the spooky season, ably demonstrates that (sometimes at glow of the virtuous past clouds the pain and challenges from
least) few things can haunt you like family. which any amount of virtue springs. There are no true villains
Peter Mitchell and Isabella Carvell were married in 1853 in this show, but there aren’t any real heroes either, rather
and typified the Victorian notion of “separate spheres.” He there are moments of courage and strength, as well as those
was a lawyer, businessman, and politician; very much the of cowardice and meanness.
public personality. She was concerned with morality and If you want a play that makes you feel something, this
spiritual growth, occupying her time in smaller circles and is certainly the one.
personal projects. Theirs was a blended family. Isabella’s son, We hope you’ll join us on October 25 and 26 (7:00pm)
Jacob, was a man with great potential, who seemed to be at the St James and St John United Church Centre – tickets
awaiting the right opportunity to step onto Miramichi’s grand ($25) available online through Eventbrite, and by calling 506-
stage. Peter’s son, Will, was laying the cornerstones of his 210-1830.

14 www.GiverMiramichi.com Fall 2024