Sawney’s Legacy at the Sunset Theatre!
Sawney’s Legacy, a 70-minute solo-performer late 1800s biography play navigating the balance between father and son in the wake of the legacy of BC’s first published poet, has been lauded as “mesmerizing,” “amazing,” “deeply sensational,” “a really special experience,” “awesome,” “beautifully written and performed,” “nothing short of remarkable,” and “all history should be taught this way.”
Sawney’s Legacy returned to the Sunset Theatre stage during the 2023 season for select performances.
Sawney’s Legacy was formally written during the Sunset Theatre’s Exploration Series in 2020 (but had been in creative flux since 2011), is directed by Dirk Van Stralen, designed by Emily Bailey, and has been made possible -with deep thanks to historian Richard Thomas Wright- through the contribution of (his) decades of research on James Anderson (1835-1922) and family.
If you are interested in booking Sawney’s Legacy, please contact Noble Players Theatrics @ nobleplayerstheatrics@gmail.com
“Sawney’s Legacy is a rich transport back into time. Bailey shifts between characters seamlessly and the show itself is an insightful, complex and comforting escape from the world we live in. Beautifully written and performed, this show will take you through an experience you won’t forget.”
“Sawney’s Legacy is a beautifully written and performed piece of theatre. Brendan Bailey breathes life into a fascinating chapter of BC Gold rush history; and manages to make it contemporary while still remaining faithful to its 1860s roots. I was riveted from beginning to end. The best historical shows are those where the artist’s respect for and fascination with their subject shine through. Bailey feels an obvious connection with James Anderson, and it shows.”
Thoroughly captures your attention! Incredible story telling that draws you in! Highly recommend catching this incredible show! All history should be taught this way.”
“Brendan Bailey’s stellar performance in Sawney’s Legacy during the 2022 Victoria Fringe Festival was nothing short of remarkable. For 60 minutes he completely captivated the audience as he combined multiple characters, humour, song, and historical references that told the story of the “Bard of the Cariboo”. In addition to his ability to instantly shift from being an inquisitive ten year old boy to that of his father, as well as many other characters, Mr. Bailey was also masterful in using vocal tone and facial nuances to draw the audience into the story. Furthermore, he accomplished all of this without any set, props, or special visual projections. It was just him, on stage, presenting a powerful, little known story in such a way that it was no surprise when the audience stood to applaud at the end of his show. Bravo !”
“Brendan is a talented orator offering clear, engaging, and moving storytelling.”
“Another great example of a one-person show this year was Sawney’s Legacy. Both actors [Ingrid Garner of Eleanor’s Story and Brendan Bailey of Sawney’s Legacy] from these plays were able to convey the differences of the cast of characters in a way that felt smooth and natural. Great one-person shows live and die on their actors.”
