Zuppa Theatre in partnership with the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, CNIB, and Signs of the Maritimes Deaf Theatre Troupe present: At This Hour

Zuppa Theatre, in association with The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, CNIB, and Signs of the Maritimes Deaf Theatre Troupe presents:

At This Hour

 

A docu-drama investigation into the causes of the Halifax Explosion, running from December 2nd - 12th at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

On December 6, 1917, in the narrows of Halifax Harbour/Kjipuktuk, the Belgian Relief vessel IMO collided with an overloaded French munitions ship, Mont Blanc. The resulting massive explosion wreaked havoc on both sides of the harbour and left approximately 2000 people dead. One in every fifty Haligonians suffered sight loss as a result of the explosion - it was the largest mass blinding in Canadian history. Within hours of the disaster Ottawa ordered a full investigation and the Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry began the following week at the Halifax Provincial Court.

Who was to blame? A century later, this question is still unanswered.

At This Hour is a documentary theatre lecture about the Halifax Explosion created with and for the Blind/Partially Sighted and Deaf communities. Constructed like an open seminar, the performers are documentarians. Using verbatim text from the transcripts of the inquiry into the explosion, they explore how British imperialism permitted and encouraged the government mismanagement which led to the explosion, and the cover ups and scapegoating that followed.

Produced in collaboration with Signs of the Maritimes Deaf Theatre Troupe, At This Hour will feature a hearing cast and a Deaf cast performing the show simultaneously.

 

Directed by Ben Stone

ASL Translation and Dramaturgy by Catherine MacKinnon
Sound Design by Brian Riley
Musical Direction by Maja Packer
Costume Design by Leesa Hamilton
Surtitles Design by Anna Shepard
Lighting Design by Benoit Gravel
Set Design by Katherine Jenkins-Ryan

With performances by:
Phillipa Colman
Mary Fay Coady
Sharleen Kalayil
Thurga Kanagasekarampillai
Jim McDermott
Elizabeth Morris
Lesley Smith
Alan Williams

 

All audience members will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon entry to the Maritime Museum. Masks must be worn at all times within the museum. At This Hour will have general seating. If you are feeling sick or unwell, please stay home. 

 

A note on accessibility:
At This Hour was developed in collaboration with the CNIB as a show intended for a Blind/Partially Sighted audience and features Partially Sighted consultant, writer and performer Phillipa Colman. The show is being produced in association with Signs of the Maritimes Deaf Theatre Troupe and all performances will feature a Deaf cast performing an ASL adaptation of the script by Catherine MacKinnon. As well, surtitles will be projected throughout the show. There will be a relaxed performance for people with sensory sensitivities on December 9th. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is wheelchair accessible and washrooms on site are also wheelchair accessible.
If your screen reader isn’t functioning with Ticket Halifax and you would like more information about the show or assistance purchasing tickets, please contact us at the following email or phone number. Also, we know that some Blind/Partially Sighted folks require a Seeing guide and that it is customary for guides to have access to half price or free tickets. If you would like to request a half price or complimentary ticket for your Seeing guide, please contact us at producer@zuppatheatre.com or at 902 489 9872.

We want you to be able to see our show! If for any reason ticket prices are prohibitive, please reach out to producer@zuppatheatre.com or call or text 902 489 9872.