The Miraculous (After) Life of Isidro, Patron Saint of Farmers
A miniature operetta based on legends of a generous farm labourer who lived in Spain in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many miracles were attributed to San Isidro, both during and after his life. Some were about bringing water to dry land, and feeding the hungry.These are somewhat relevant to us, even here, at this time. We’re curious to know if it makes sense to believe in miracles in this science-driven age????
In the time of Isidro, storytellers will have performed at market places, a longlasting institution that is unusual in that it has probably changed very little over many centuries! So, we’ve decided to go to Farmers' Markets to tell this tale, where we can honour those who grow our food. We are also using the tradition of VIctorian Paper Theatre, that was made to bring operas and theatrical spectacles into peoples' homes.
A miniature operetta told with paper theatre by three musicians
Performed at Farmers’ Markets and Galleries in the Shuswap/North Okanagan, summer of 2022.
Directed by Cathy Stubington
Designed by Molly March and Cathy Stubington
Performed by Sarah May Redmond, Aidan Sparks, and Christie Watson
Created by Varrick Grimes, Isabelle Kirouac, Willoughby Arevalo, Sara May Redmond, Thomas Conlin Jones, Molly March, Forrest Shuster, Rene Hugo, Cathy Stubington, Jasmin Wright, Elishka Hugo Rucka, Aura Pearl, Xyla Joy. Production assistants Laura MacDonald, Aradana Cardiff-Miller, Jordana Natale.
Designs inspired by Les Tres Riches Heures de Jean duc de Berry, medieval Book of Hours
More information below.
Artistic Process
This project evolved during the Covid Pandemic. We were all set to hold a creation session outdoors of Curly Willow Farm but had to cancel it. After attending a workshop online with “Great Small Works”, we realized that we could effectively use the medium of Paper Theatre on the Zoom platform. So, from 9 different locations, the artists each created and shared a scene from the Life and Afterlife of San Isidro, in paper theatre. This version (directed by Varrick Grimes) was presented at an online conference of B.C. SeedSavers. When it were able to perform it live, we decided to keep with the Paper Theatre medium, and Molly and Cathy rebuilt the scenes based on the workshop version. It was amazing to experience such a range of emotions just from watching flat paper figures. Songs were adaptations of early medieval tunes from Europe.