Take Me Back To Killaloe

This one act musical comedy was created as a gift to Killaloe for it’s Millennium celebration, July 2000. It was performed twice in Station Park to very appreciative audiences. The writers were Marnie MacKay, Lynn Flokstra, Oona Woods, Barry Goldie, Lee Lafont, Tim Storey, and Doug Hempstead. Directed by Barry Goldie. Musical direction by Schroeder Nordholt.

Killaloe’s own Station Park is the setting for the play. A wedding reception for Colleen and Eddie, a young local couple, is attended by several guests that reminisce about the past, recreating the history of Killaloe. Many characters experience flashbacks and the audience is guided by the wandering ghost of Samuel de Champlain searching for his lost astrolabe.

A crowd gathers to watch the second performance of the Upper Madawaska Theatre Group’s Take Me back to Killaloe.

The ghost of Samuel de Champlain (Lee Lafont) searches for his astrolabe.

Ellen Roche (Lucy King) reminisces about square timber floating down the areas creeks and rivers.

John Brennan (Barry Goldie), right, explains to trapper Jacques Latte Éclair (John Haslam), centre, and bush worker Alex (Heinz Schimansky) why he’ll never go back to the old country.

Musical number “The Old Country”, music and lyrics by Barry Goldie. Performed by, from left to right, Alex (Heinz Schimansky), Jacques Latte Éclair (John Haslam), John Brennan (Barry Goldie) and the ghost of Samuel de Champlain (Lee Lafont).

Widower Silas (Steve Frank), right, points out railway landmarks of the past to Ellen Roche (Lucy King).

Abe (Tim Storey), right, explains to the guests the history of the telephone in Killaloe. Listening on intently are, from left to right, Grandma Rita (Lynn Flokstra), Aunt Kathy (Kathy Lampi) and Eddie (M. J. Shalla).

Master of Ceremonies, Andrew (centre, Doug Hempstead) wonders why his cell phone won’t work. Abe (left, Tim Storey) explains to him that “Killaloe’s blessed free of cell phones – don’t no pagers work here either”. Looking on is Margaret (right, Marnie MacKay). Groom Eddie (M. J. Shalla) can be seen in the background.

Musical number “I’m Your Operator”, lyrics by Oona Woods, music by Schroeder Nordholt. Performed by Mrs. O’Hagan (Lani Harbrecht).

Aunt Myrtle (Eileen Haslam), toasts the happy couple mentioning the fire of 1915.

Kittybell (Lucy King), left, alerts the bartender (Doug Hempstead) and two men (Steve Frank, left, Heinz Schimansky, right) at the tavern of a fire in the village.

Mr. Jake Kizell (Barry Goldie) makes sure the firefighters are taken care of, after all, 30 minutes on the old “force and flush” had a way of wearing a person out. The bartender (Doug Hempstead) assures him his money will be well spent.

John (John Haslam), left, an excited observer, describes the Lake street fire to Michael (Tim Storey – red shirt), a couple firefighters (Heinz Schimansky and Steve Frank) and the bartender (Doug Hempstead).

Gr. Grandpa Basil (Barry Goldie) reflects on the effects W.W. II had on Killaloe as he offers advice to young groom Eddie (M. J. Shalla). Bride Colleen (Sophie Lafont) is in the background.

Telegraph operator Tom Beach (John Haslam), centre, shares the news of the end of World War II with Emmet (Tim Storey), left, and Cecil (Heinz Schimansky), right.

Telegraph operator Tom Beach (John Haslam) instructs Viola (Kathy Lampi) to round up the town to celebrate the end of W.W. II.

Musical number “The Troops are Coming Home”, lyrics by Lee Lafont, music by Schroeder Nordholt. Perform by the cast, past and present.

Young Florence (Sarah Haslam), left, is sceptical about moving into town with her bratty young cousin Margaret’s (Robin Vornweeg) family, centre, despite reassurances from her mother (Lynn Flokstra).

Musical number “School in Killaloe”, lyrics and music by Marnie MacKay. Performed as a wedding present to the young couple by present day cousins Florence (Lani Harbrecht), right, and Margaret (Marnie MacKay), centre. Silas (Steve Frank) provides encouragement in the background.

Aunt Phoebe (Eileen Haslam) tries to comfort young Florence (Sarah Haslam) who has moved in with them to attend school at St Andrew’s.

Present day Margaret (Marnie Mackay), left, and her cousin Florence (Lani Harbrecht) discuss the hardships associated with attending school in days gone by.

Colourful Fred Truegreen (Heinz Schimansky) asks his wife (Lynn Flokstra) to hold something while he toasts the happy couple. Fred and his wife arrived in the area (although not together) some 30 or so years ago to defend Canada from the Viet Cong.

With the help of his wife’s (Lynn Flokstra, wearing the hat) memory, Fred Truegreen (Heinz Schimansky), standing, recounts the generosity shown to them by the locals throughout the years.