WCT’s ‘Vimy’ brings soldiers’ stories to the stage

This Remembrance Day marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

It was during this war that all four Canadian divisions fought together at Vimy Ridge in northern France, eventually leading to the surrender of German troops.

The battle was gruelling, with lasting effects. Playwright Vern Thiessen shows the human struggle through the characters in Vimy.

“Though it has a re-creation of this battle and the war and getting ready for the war, it’s really about the people who fought in it,” said Nathan Carroll, the actor portraying a young soldier from Winnipeg. “In reading this book ‘Vimy,’ I’m most interested in the stories of the individual people who were there, and I really think that Vern has done a great job of showing the background, and the past, and the real personal [experiences] that these soldiers had.”

The characters in ‘Vimy’ represent different backgrounds and walks of life.

Christopher Mejaki plays Mike, a First Nations soldier who bravely fights for Canada, despite the mistreatment he faces back home.

“In the play, it’s interesting how we may not even have our own rights on our own land,” Mejaki said, “and we may have such restrictions on the little pieces of land that are left to us, these reserves, and yet we still want to just help.”

Approximately one third of Indigenous men between the ages of 18 and 45 signed up to fight in the First World War. It’s a perspective Mejaki feels honoured to bring to the stage.

“To be that representation of that is strong, it’s good, and I think it’s great to show people that the original land keepers of this area helped in those wars and to acknowledge that. Sometimes we can be, not forgotten, but… it’s hard sometimes, sometimes it can feel like you’re not seen, just as a person and as a marginalized person.”

Opening night for Vimy is October 13th at Sagebrush Theatre.

by Jill Sperling

WCT’s ‘Vimy’ brings soldiers’ stories to the stage

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