The Britannia History Tour Project was created by the team at Left Right Minds Initiatives for Mortal Coil Performance Society. Ideas for the project were inspired by Mortal Coil's recent production of an original play titled Salmon Row by playwright Nicola Harwood. The site-specific play was performed at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard during the summer of 2011 and again in 2013.
Salmon Row was a family show which brought together a cast of nearly 20 actors, stilted characters, large masks, original songs and a live four-piece band! Telling the story of a place of plenty, the mouth of the Fraser River and the creatures and peoples who subsisted, thrived and profited from the seemingly endless resource of salmon which they found there. As word of this treasure trove of fish and the economic opportunity it offered spread throughout the world, the river became populated by thousands of people from as far away as Haida Gwaii, China, Japan and Europe. This caused the delicately balanced realm of Eagle, Bear and Aboriginal people to be brutally thrust into the world of modern industry with gigantic canneries processing millions of fish in one season.
Though the use of digital technology, we want to promote interactivity for all generations who are part of Mortal Coil's audience from children to seniors. The Britannia History Tour is an excellent opportunity for families to explore this history together. We hope that you enjoy the journey through Steveston as much as we all enjoyed creating it for you!
TEXT & CONCEPTS:
Allyson McGrane
GRAPHICS & ART DIRECTION:
Victor Terzis
WEB DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTION:
Shane Birley
PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH:
Mallory Gallant
ARTISTIC CONSULTANTS:
Peter Hall (Mortal Coil)
Marietta Kozak (Mortal Coil)
THANK YOUS:
Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Britannia Heritage Shipyards
