Historical rock opera remounts as unplugged concert experience in Edmonton
![Vigilante Edmonton-based theatre company Catalyst is remounting its 2015 production of “Vigilante" as an unplugged concert experience. A scene from the production is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-David Cooper](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/1/27/vigilante-1-6249741-1674858673889.jpg)
A theatre company is remounting its production of a musical tragedy, based on a true story of Irish immigrants finding solace in Canada, in an unplugged concert experience.
Jonathan Christenson, artistic director with Edmonton's Catalyst Theatre, who wrote, directed and scored the music for "Vigilante," says the stripped-down version allows the audience to centre on the story and the music.
“Our shows are visually pretty full on. There’s a lot going on, a lot to take in. In some ways, you get to hear the lyrics, the music and the text in a new way," Christenson said.
The rock opera is based on the story of a young Irish couple who leave Ireland in the midst of the potato famine and conflict among Catholics and Protestants in the 19th century.
Christenson said he heard the story when he was growing up in southern Ontario.
“They were refugees from Ireland on these boats that were crammed full of people who had paid their life savings to get one of these boats. Many of them died on the trips over, the conditions were absolutely terrible,” said Christenson.
“I was really struck by the parallels to what we’re seeing in the world today with refugees in such desperate situations coming to Canada and proceeding to try and build a new life for themselves.”
“Vigilante” premiered at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton in 2015 and went on to tour in Ottawa and London, Ont.
Catalyst has done stripped-down versions of productions in the past. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Christenson said recording albums of the work provided a new life line.
"We had to look at other ways of getting our work out. And so over the past couple of years, we've started creating cast recordings of a couple of our shows," said Christenson.
"It just gives people another way to access our work and get a sense of what it is that we do."
Christenson said the theatre company is also recording video on some of its productions, but sometimes theatre doesn't translate to film in the most organic way.
"Theatre artists aren't necessarily film artists. So, the results weren't always the most engaging.
"There's so much more storytelling that happens in the text, so I do think it tends to translate into audio better or more easily," said Christenson, adding the company has received requests to record albums before.
Catalyst has been based in Edmonton since the late '70s. Back then, it operated as a social action theatre company working with community groups to educate and empower change.
In 1996, Christenson, who was building a reputation for his original productions, was asked to join and reinvent the company.
His visual style has been compared to American filmmaker Tim Burton, who is known for gothic-fantasy style films including "Sweeney Todd," "Sleepy Hollow," and the "Corpse Bride."
Christenson said that most theatre companies in English Canada don’t have a touring model like others in Quebec or in other parts of the world. Many produce plays written by other playwrights and show them for a short run for hometown audiences.
Catalyst's shows often tour across Canada and Europe.
“It's exciting to reach audiences beyond your own community,” said Christenson, adding that they’ve been able to reach tens of thousands of people.
Christenson said the company hopes to tour the full production of "Vigilante" again, but with COVID-19 still causing precariousness in the theatre industry, it's unsure when that might be.
"Vigilante — In Concert" premieres Friday at the Westbury Theatre in Edmonton, with another show available in person and via streaming on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.4972530.1591455178!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Prince William made $42 million from his newly inherited estate last year, reports show
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
WATCH LIVE 'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.
LIVE UPDATES 'Hopefully it's better than what we're thinking': Jasper wildfire damage details anxiously awaited
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Canadian women's soccer team staffer given suspended prison sentence over drone incident, prosecutor says
A Canada women's soccer team staffer has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence after flying a drone to film the closed-door training session of the New Zealand team on Monday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
Sale of envoy's NYC condo 'expected to exceed' $9M: government
The current official residence for Canada's representative in New York City is 'being readied for sale,' according to a spokesperson from Global Affairs Canada.
WATCH LIVE Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
'I'm so broke': Two Toronto women speak out after losing $76,000 in romance scam
Two women from the Toronto area are speaking out after losing thousands of dollars to a romance scam, including a single mother who lost $62,000.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.