James Dallas Smith shines in Blyth’s “Sir John A.: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion”

“That’s what I like about Hugh!”

And that’s exactly what you’re going to love about James Dallas Smith who steals the show at the Blyth Festival Theatre’s production of “Sir John A.: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion.”

From the moment he blasts on stage, surrounded by bright lights and rock music, Smith is the hilarious focal point, playing the part of Hugh, the main character’s friend and sidekick, on a raucous adventure to dig up the bones of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and hold them for ransom.

Hugh wouldn’t be nearly as funny if his friend, Bobby (Richard Comeau), weren’t so serious. While Bobby moans about the horrors suffered by the Indigenous people, courtesy of colonization in the 1800s, Hugh quips that they also gave us air-conditioning and KFC!

The play, written by Drew Hayden Taylor, tells the story of Bobby’s quest to retrieve his grandfather’s sacred medicine pouch, which was stolen long ago and sent to the British Museum, by ransoming Macdonald's bones. Hugh agrees to go on the road trip to Kingston until he realizes what Bobby is up to, and then he’s ready to put on the brakes, do a U-turn and head back home.

As they continue on their journey, they pick up Anya, played by Madeline Elliott Kennedy, a young, white woman who has her own view of racism and the plight of the Indigenous people.

Meanwhile, Sir John A., played magnificently by Randy Hughson, shows up in sidebars throughout the play, offering his opinion about the Indians and his grandiose plans for the creation of the country of Canada, colonization and all the rest. With each flashback, he pours himself yet another drink, becoming increasingly inebriated.

Some of his best lines resonate with current events, as he states that Americans were lusting after Canada prior to Confederation in 1867. He notes that “Americans make great Americans but rather poor Canadians,” and “I like Americans – over there.”

The drinking makes him more bombastic as he states that he created Canada out of rocks and mosquitoes.



Richard Comeau (left) as Bobby, and James Dallas Smith as Hugh, look for the grave site of Sir John A. Macdonald, in a scene from “Sir John A.: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion,” on now at the Blyth Festival Theatre; photos by Lyon Smith

When the trio of Hugh, Bobby and Anya arrives at Macdonald’s grave, Hugh urges Bobby to reconsider, noting that “Friends don’t let friends dig up dead prime ministers!”

As Hugh and Anya scatter, Bobby comes face-to-face with the ghost of Sir John A., but will he finally get his questions answered, and obtain the reconciliation he’s after? You’ll have to get a ticket to find out.

“Sir John A.: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion” continues now through Aug. 3 on the Margaret Stephens stage at the Blyth Festival Theatre.

For specific dates and times, and to purchase tickets, visit blythfestival.com.



Randy Hughson is Sir John A. Macdonald in the show



James Dallas Smith (centre) as Hugh, rides along with Anya (Madeline Elliott Kennedy, left) and Bobby (Richard Comeau) on their journey to Kingston