Beyond Eden facts for kids
- Beyond Eden is also the title of a science fiction novel by David Duncan (writer).
Beyond Eden is a musical play created by Bruce Ruddell and Bill Henderson. It first opened on February 16, 2010, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Later, it also played in Vancouver. This musical was part of the Cultural Olympiad, a big arts festival.
The story of Beyond Eden is a made-up tale. However, it was inspired by the real life of Wilson Duff (1925–1976). He was a curator, someone who looks after museum collections, at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Duff worked hard to save Haida totem poles along the coast of British Columbia. Famous actors and musicians like Tom Jackson and John Mann starred in the original shows.
Contents
Story of the Musical
Act I: The Journey Begins
The year is 1957. The musical starts with a song called "Behind the Mask." Lewis Wilson talks with a character called The Watchman about Haida masks. The Watchman tells Lewis an old story about the Raven and the Eagle. He also gives Lewis a special mask with its eyes closed. This mask has a twin with its eyes open.
Next, we see a crew getting ready to leave on a ship. They are going to Haida Gwaii to collect totem poles for a museum. Lewis and his friend Max Tomson, a photographer, are excited. Max is half Haida. Two Indigenous guides, Victor Duncan and Joe Duncan, join the crew. Joe is not happy about the trip.
Lewis's wife, Sal Wilson, and their son, Jack Wilson, also come along. Jack feels a bit distant from his father. He also has a crush on a girl and tries to figure out how to talk to her. The crew gives him some advice. Sal and Lewis share a quiet moment on the ship. A storm is coming, and Lewis tells Sal to go below deck.
Lewis and the crew think about their journey. Max sings about feeling connected to two different cultures. Suddenly, Max sees Joe and Victor acting strangely. He finds out they were trying to leave the ship. A fight starts as a big storm hits. The first part of the musical ends with the storm.
Act II: A Change of Heart
The crew has now landed near the totem poles. They are tired but safe. Joe and Victor are thanked for helping everyone survive the storm. The men get ready for their work.
Lewis becomes very focused on the two masks. The Watchman visits him again and continues his story. He tells Lewis that he cannot let him take the poles. Lewis realizes the two masks fit together, one inside the other. Sal worries about Lewis, who seems to be drifting away.
Max thinks about the carvings on the totem poles. The vision of Haida women appears to him again. As the men prepare to cut down the poles, Lewis returns. He has changed his mind after talking with The Watchman. He refuses to let them take the poles.
The chainsaws won't start, so the crew grabs axes. A struggle begins as Lewis tries to stop them. He begs Max for help, but Max refuses to turn back. Lewis grabs an axe and tries to chop down the poles himself. The crew stops him and starts cutting down the poles.
The second part of the musical ends as the totem poles fall.
Original Performers
| Lewis Wilson | The Watchman | Sal Wilson | Jack Wilson | Max Tomson | Victor Duncan | Joe Duncan | Clive | Gregory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Mann | Tom Jackson | Jennifer Lines | Andrew Kushnir | Cameron McDuffee | Tracey Olson | Telly James | Curt McKinstry | Christopher Hunt |
The musical director was Bill Henderson. The band included Bill Sample on piano, Adrian Dolan on viola, Dave Corman on guitar, Laurence Mollerup on bass, and Randal Stoll on drums.
Songs in the Musical
The music for Beyond Eden was written by Bill Henderson and Bruce Ruddell. Some of the music, inspired by Haida culture, was written by Gwaai Edenshaw. Bruce Ruddell had thought about telling the story of the Haida Gwaii totem poles for about 30 years. It started as a long musical piece before becoming this full musical.
Act I Songs
- Behind the Mask – Lewis, Ensemble
- Hecate's Fist – Clive, Gregory, Ensemble
- Howa Baby – Jack
- Ribbons of Light – Sal, Lewis
- Mystery – Lewis, Ensemble
- Disconnection – Max, Ensemble
- The Spirit Song – Haida Woman
- No Contact – Full Company
Act II Songs
- Beyond Eden – Lewis, Ensemble
- Ninstints – Clive, Gregory, Victor, Joe, Lewis, Ensemble
- Beyond Eden Reprise – Sal
- Carving – Max, Ensemble
- The Spirit Song – Haida Woman
- Waiting for Me – Lewis
- War Song – Haida Woman
- The Watchman's Song – The Watchman
- I Hear You Call My Name – Sal
- We Go On – Ensemble
