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Tom Thomson’s Wake

March 7, 2026
A Great Painter, A Mysterious Death Reviewed by Mary Alderson Tom Thomson is Canada’s best artist for showing us Algonquin Park. He is also a fascinating character in Canada’s history and while he lived an interesting life, his death is even more captivating. How did a man who loved his canoe and spent plenty of time on the water, drown? It doesn’t make sense. The theatre/music group, Shipyard Kitchen Party, found Tom’s life and death very interesting and created a musical around the stories. They even have their own theory about his death. But no spoilers here, you will have to see it for yourself. Tom’s shortened life spanned the years from 1877 to 1917. Tom’s tale is told by three people that knew him well. I hesitate to say three friends as they each saw him in a different light.  When Tom died, his family in Owen Sound (formerly from Leigh) hadn’t seen much of him because he spent his time painting, fishing and canoeing on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. In winter, Tom went to Toronto to turn his sketches into paintings. So the family wrote letters to these three and asked for information about his life. A. Y. Jackson was happy to comply. A fellow painter, he shared Tom’s love of wilderness. Jackson writes about his fond memories of spending time with Tom. Later Jackson enlists and fights in World War I, while Tom does not volunteer. Jackson is played perfectly by Craig Ashton. Ashton sings ballads in a rich tenor voice, soaring to the high notes. After Tom’s death, Jackson is key in establishing the Group of Seven, along with Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J.E.H. MacDonald, and Frederick Varley. Sadly, Tom didn’t live long enough to be a member of the group. ...
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Mary's Musings

Grand Theatre Announces its 2026-2027 line up

March 15, 2026
All in Grand Time Written by Sandi Laird This is a big year for the Grand Theatre, London, Ontario. The upcoming season, announced this week, will be the 125th year of live performance on the Spriet Stage. 2026/27 also marks Artistic Director Rachel Peake’s third season of programming at the historic theatre. For theatre lovers and our followers, Entertain This Thought presents a sneak peek for your reading pleasure. Our followers will be glad to hear three new Canadian productions will take the stage, as well as two shows will make their debut on an Ontario stage. Here is the high-level overview provided by The Grand Theatre and Artistic Director. For in depth details, check this link: https://www.grandtheatre.com/2627-season  Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. Award-winning director, Krista Jackson (Imago Theatre, Stratford Festival) is known to Grand audiences for a fast-paced and deliciously dark laugh. With audience favourite Jesse Gervais (Clue, Grand Ghosts) set to star as Dracula himself, this London-made production of the world’s hottest take on its least honourable prince will leave you thirsty for more. Developed in Edmonton, this production is making its Ontario debut on the Spriet Stage. For the holidays, a new musical take on A Christmas Carol, written by Canadian David van Belle, re-set in a late-1940s department store and featuring everyone’s seasonal favourites, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, and more. I must say I love a musical and the new setting with all those holiday classics sounds merry indeed! A change in tone comes in the New Year, as the Grand will welcome cicadas, an eerie eco-thriller by Siminovitch laureate and Governor General’s Award-winner David Yee. What if your house had a mind of its own? An eerie eco-thriller that hits close to home. ...
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