​Updated play, “Paddy Walker: The Lost Years,” is even more relevant and hysterically funny

The Paddy Walker Heritage Society and its troupe of character actors and singers, reprised the play, “Paddy Walker: The Lost Years, or How Paddy Walker Saved Canada and Transformed the World (A True Story),” a decade later, and it was even more relevant and hysterically funny.

Ten years ago, the Kincardine Record stated that the only thing wrong with this play was that it was staged only once and should be shown again for those who missed it.

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

About 150 people enjoyed the meal, followed by the play, wonderfully written and updated by Kincardine playwright Graham Mahood, 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, John Low as Robert Baldwin, Jared Petrie as Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, Rob Peters as Lord Sydenham, Stacey Millar as Lord Sydenham's horse, and Jenn Peters as an Irish immigrant.

They were backed up by narrators Barry Neilson and Amanda Farrell Walsh, accompanists Patt Lowry and Brian Tovey, and Jayne McGibney as stage director.

The performance was dedicated to the loving memory of June Daniel who was the director and second mother to the troupe when the play was first performed in 2015.

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 Rob Peters, 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 Robert 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.

The evening not only featured a good meal and a great show, it raised almost $11,000 for the Paddy Walker Heritage Society. This included proceeds from a live auction and a raffle.

The heritage society thanks the Kincardine Legion for a delicious dinner, everyone who attended for the support, and the cast and crew for a magnificent performance.



The cast and crew of "Paddy Walker: The Lost Years" includes, in the back, Amanda Farrell Walsh (left), Barry Neilson, Jaki Mayer-Duggan, Patt Lowry, Rob Peters, Brian Tovey, Jayne McGibney, playwright Graham Mahood; and in front, John Low (left), Stacey Millar, Jenn Peters, Sid Duggan and Jared Petrie