A musical drama exploring the lives of Canadians who survived the Depression is at the Evergreen Cultural Centre until April 21.
The Seacoast Theatre Centre's production of Ten Lost Years, based on the best-selling book by Barry Broadfoot, is a powerful production that brings to life the extraordinary lives of the men and women who lived during and survived one of the most difficult decades of Canadian history.
Performing in the show are Tri-City actors Yvette Dudley-Neuman, Angela Gann, Brooke Jewell and Grizz Salzl, along with fellow cast members Merrilyn Gann, Cheryl Swan, Lucas Foss, Mark Embacher and Scott Swan.
Broadfoot was a Vancouver Sun reporter in 1972 when he realized that an entire generation of Canadians - those who had lived their formative years during the Depression - was in danger of passing away and taking their stories with them.
He took a leave from the paper and set out across the country, asking people in bars and train stations, on planes and busses, one question: "What do you remember about the Depression?"
At first, many of Broadfoot's subjects weren't able - or willing - to recall anything. But as the tape recorder rolled their stories flooded out. The book was published a year later.
Director Scott Swan said he was amazed by the honesty and simplicity of the stories, the humour and stoicism of men and women.
"I just wanted to share these incredible stories with an audience in a way that would capture the compassion, honest and integrity of the people who actually lived them," Swan said in a release.
Ten Lost Years is at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) until April 21 at 8 p.m., with a 4 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $15/$30/$35, available at 604-927-6555 or www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
