By Eugene Plawiuk, CUPE 474

The 99th issue of the academic Journal: Canadian Theatre Review (CTR), published this summer is dedicated to Labour and Canadian Theatre.

This issue is edited by Alan Filewod, who is a Drama professor at the University of Guelph and has been involved with the Canadian Theatre Review as an editor and co-editor for close to ten years.

And it has a western Canadian flavour to it. In particular the two scripts published in this issue are by long time Alberta playwright and activist Jane Heather and by recent Ontario émigré Don Bouzek.

In 1995 Edmonton CUPE Locals 30 and 474 commissioned Jane Heather to write and direct a play about and life of workers suffering under the Alberta Advantage of cut backs and contracting out. The play; RUNNING was preformed that summer at the Edmonton Fringe Festival.

The Script for RUNNING is published in this issue of Canadian Theatre Review as well as articles by Jane Heather and Eugene Plawiuk about the process of collaboration that brought this production about.

Don Bouzek’s play: RAG TAG AND BOB TAIL, a story about the Knights of Labour in Ontario, is the second script. Don documents his experience in producing activist theatre projects with unions, especially during the Ontario Days of Action in his article; Industrials For The Social Services.

Don is currently living and working in Edmonton, and is coordinating May Day/ May week activities in the city as well as working with the labour movement in developing a variety of multimedia projects.

Pulp Fiction: A Photo Installation a documentation of Carol Conde and Karl Beveridge’s for CEP about working in a Pulp Mill. Carol and Karl’s work showed in Edmonton at the Latitude 53 Gallery during MayWeek 99.

Westray; The Long Way home. Nova Scotia playwrights Chris O’Neill and Ken Schwartz talk about working with the Steelworkers in producing this play about the worst mining disaster of this decade.

CTR Editor Alan Filewood discusses the history and importance of working class, activist theatre in Canada.

There are numerous other important articles in this issue that discuss the collaboration between workers, activists, actors and unions.

While an academic journal, Canadian Theatre Review does appear on newsstands. Copies can be found at the Front Page on Jasper between 103 and 104 St. They cost $10.50. Or they can be ordered from the University of Toronto Press by faxing toll free to 1-800-221-9985. Or check out their web page at: Canadian Theatre Review