Until October 31st, Spinners Collective is presenting the professional premiere of Spinning You Home, by Sally Stubbs, at Jericho Art Centre.
Directed by Sarah Rodgers, and featuring Sarah Roa and Simon Webb with live music and sounds performed by Evan Rein, Spinning You Home is a perfect fit for the season, telling the tale of a dark and stormy night and a glimpse at the ghosts from BC’s Gold Rush history.
A guest production at Jericho Arts Centre, the play benefits from ambiance created by the Centre’s historic bones to spin a yarn inspired by a promise made by John “Cariboo” Cameron to his wife Sophia: ancestor of the playwright’s partner. In the play, the tight bond between 12 year old Sophie and her Grampa results in them being trapped together as a winter storm rages outside. To pass the dark hours, Sarah cajoles Grampa to recount the colourful life of her distant relatives. The pair reenact the dramatic tale that likely has likely gained more than a little embellishment over its 160 year history.
John “Cariboo” Cameron is a real-life character from the Gold Rush era, first as a California prospector, then striking one of British Columbia’s richest claims in the Cariboo. He also struck it rich with his bride Sophia, the Beauty of Barkerville, who was unfortunately felled by typhoid. His promise to bury her in her home in Eastern Canada, led to the most remarkable portion of their story recounted in Spinning You Home, running parallel to the story of Grampa trying to get Sarah home and safe from the storm.
Simon Webb as Grampa, and Sarah Roa as Sarah bring an easy familiarity to the stage portraying the main characters as well as the historic characters of the story within the play. Evan Rein fills in the atmosphere as he provides the colour and sound live from the stage. The trio keep the audience engaged so the 70 minute performance passes in a flash, and left me intrigued enough to search Cariboo Cameron’s story after the curtain came down.
Spinning You Home presented by Spinners Collective plays at The Jericho Arts Centre until October 31st, Thursday to Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM plus Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM with a Saturday matinee on October 30th. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or at the door.