Play tells Loyalist story from tragedy to hope

Produced to celebrate this year’s 225th anniversary of the arrived of the United Empire Loyalist on these shores, A New Hope will be staged Aug. 6-7 at 8 p.m. in the Community Theatre in Digby Regional High School.

The play tells the story of the exiles that founded this community, from their sometimes violent expulsion after the American Revolution in the spring of 1783 through the first two years of establishing their lives and homes in a new country.

The play follows a young family from Stamford, Conn., through tragedy to joyful marriages and childbirth, and new hope for shattered lives.

Digby, called Conway then, was later named by the Loyalists in honour of Admiral Robert Digby, the commander of three ships that brought them here from New York City.

Play based on historical fact

The Youngs are the creation of the playwright, although what happens to them is based on historical fact. Many others of the 31 characters in the play are people from Digby’s past, from the first teachers to one of the first storekeepers to several of those who first recognized the value of the fishery.

The playwright calls ‘A New Hope’ a mammoth undertaking, involving more than 50 community members.

A group of dedicated community members have been working hard for several weeks in creating more than 40 near-authentic costumes, says Theriault. Set design is complete, and another dedicated group is building and painting. Rehearsals are going well, with actors ranging in age from 12 to 60 and beyond.

Advance tickets may be purchased in Weymouth at Sissiboo Landing, in Bear River at Cherry Brook Grocery, and in Digby at Digby Convenience Store or Crooked Timber Books. For more information call 245-5629.

The province’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage has granted the theatre society $5,000 toward the production, the maximum available under the provincial cultural program.