Walker House play is hysterical, historical account of early-1800s Canada

The only thing wrong with the Walker House fund-raiser, "Paddy Walker: The Lost Years, or How Paddy Walker Saved Canada and Transformed the World (A True Story)," is that the show was staged only once.

Held at the Kincardine Legion, Sunday night, Oct. 4, it was a brilliant, hysterical and historical account of Canada, and Kincardine, in the early-1800s.

About 200 people enjoyed the meal, followed by a history quiz by playwright Graham Mahood, and then the show.

The history quiz was almost as funny as the play. The responses (purported to be provided by the party leaders in the federal election) were read out, and then the audience had to determine which was correct.

Mahood took some humorous pot-shots at Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, knocked the crown off prime minister Stephen Harper (Conservative) and jokingly mocked New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Thomas Mulcair, while Green Party leader Elizabeth May remained relatively unscathed.

The play, itself, was wonderfully written, incorporating much of the political strife from 1830-50 - the time period before Francis "Paddy" Walker arrived in Kincardine and built his famous Walker House.

The cast was brilliant, featuring Sid Duggan and Jaki Mayer-Duggan as Paddy and Jane Walker, Dylan Trahan as Robert Baldwin, Steven Travale as Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, Ron Boucher as Lord Sydenham, Stacey Millar as Lord Sydenham's horse, and Slayde Millar as an Irish immigrant.

They were backed up by narrators John Low and Amanda Farrell Walsh, accompanists Patt Lowry and Brian Tovey, and crew, Linda Pagnotta as stage director, Kate Kincaid as seamstress and in charge of costumes, photography, etc., Brendan Rogers on visual design and projectionist, play author Graham Mahood, and June Daniel as director and second mother to all.

The story compares Paddy Walker to Moses, with Paddy floating up the Penetangore River, dealing with the Reids (bullrushes) and Farrells (Pharaoh), building his Walker House Inn, changing the Penetangore River route (like parting the Red Sea) and, like Moses' struggles, having to sit on Kincardine council.

The play takes the audience back to 1834 and the determination of reformers to bring democracy to Canada. Among them, were William Warren Baldwin and his son, Robert, as well as Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine. Throw in a few ridiculous governor-general characters and you have some great laughs.

Baldwin hires Paddy to be his gardener and Jane as his cook and brings them to Toronto, and then on to Kingston which is the new capital of Canada.

Then enters a new self-centred, pompous governor-general, Lord Sydenham, played beautifully by Ron Boucher, who tramples on responsible government and democracy and allows violence at reformer meetings.

One of the highlights of the show is Stacey Millar singing "O Lonesome Me," as Lord Sydenham's horse.

Eventually, Sept. 16, 1842, Canada has its first democratic government, but it lasts only a year before Britain restores its control over the colony, stating that Canada is not ready for democracy.

Then a new governor-general, Lord Elgin (James Bruce), arrives, and finally, responsible government and democracy rule the day, with Baldwin and LaFontaine having seats in the House. They enact Legislation that lays the foundation for our current government.

Paddy then announces that he saw many wonderful things in a dream - the 10 years of wandering were over and he would settle in Penetangore (later known as Kincardine), with a mighty river, a harbour and a lighthouse. Kincardine would become a powerful place with lots of energy. It would eventually take in the neighbouring townships and become one big happy family.

Lord Elgin became the 11th Earl for Bruce, and at that same time, Paddy was serving on Kincardine council.

Hence, Paddy saved Canada and transformed the world.

A terrific play, which should be shown again for those who missed it.