Photo from 25th Street Theatre’s original production of Paper Wheat in 1978. (25th Street Theatre)

Paper Wheat has gained mythological status in our province. A play that put Saskatchewan’s theatre scene on the map in the late 70s, spawned a documentary based on its national tour, and has been studied in countless classrooms. Despite its meteoric success, the play has seldom been produced here at home, until now. Dancing Sky Theatre is revisiting Paper Wheat.

“I had just moved to Saskatchewan in 1978. I saw Paper Wheat and it cracked my mind. It was the first Saskatchewan play, the foundation for what’s gone on since,” says artistic director Angus Ferguson. “I was talking with a group of young artists last year and they they’d never heard of it. That’s why we’re doing this production with young emerging artists, to share this story with a new generation.”

Actors Kevin Moxley and Lauren Griffin (l-r) portray Saskatchewan’s early homesteaders. (Britainy Zapshalla)

“It’s a timely reminder of the fact that we can really only survive collectively”

Paper Wheat is a documentary style play told through a series of vignettes covering three quarters of a century of Canadian prairie history. The story follows early homesteaders as they arrive in Saskatchewan and then go on to create the foundation of the cooperative movement in the province.

Eusebius Scribante says Paper Wheat is about connecting with the community. (Britainy Zapshalla)

“I think it’s a timely reminder of the fact that we can really only survive collectively. That isolationism and selfishness will only end in everyone being worse off,” says actor Kevin Moxley. “It’s a reminder of the importance of community and coming together to help each other.”

“We need to keep that story going”

Like the prairie people, Paper Wheat is presented in a simple, make do with what you have aesthetic. The actors play multiple characters and their stories are backed by multi-instrumentalist Jordan Welbourne.

“This show really captures the essence of cooperation. We’re all in this together,” says actor Lauren Griffin. “Coming from a small town, it feels very special for me to get to pay homage to this show. It was created here, for here and we need to keep that story going.”

“This is a celebration of things forgotten, the progressive roots of Saskatchewan,” says Ferguson. “We need to remember who we are and how much we can achieve if we roll up our sleeves and work together.”