The World premiere of Kaspar Hauser: The Riddle of Refuge
Fundraiser for the Rosebud Committee for Syria to be performed around campfires at three locations (Drumheller, Strathmore & Rosebud) July 21-24
Drumheller, Strathmore & Rosebud, Alberta – Fireside Theatre, a collective of theatre artists based in Rosebud presents Kaspar Hauser: The Riddle of Refuge, a mysterious evening of outdoor theatre performed around a campfire, at three locations (Drumheller, Strathmore & Rosebud) during July.
The fundraiser is on behalf of the Rosebud Committee for Syria which is raising funds for worldwide refugee relief efforts, including the sponsorship of a refugee family in partnership with the Hope for Syria group based in Strathmore.
“Our show tells the true story of Kaspar Hauser, a mysterious boy who appeared in Nuremberg, Germany in 1828 and claimed to have been raised in captivity and isolation,” explains the play’s co-creator Andrew Cooper. “His sudden appearance on the streets of Nuremberg, his claims, the strange injuries he received during his life and his subsequent death by stabbing, sparked much debate and controversy.”
“In creating Kaspar Hauser: The Riddle of Refuge we have tried to focus on the parallels between the experience of Kaspar and those who crossed paths with him, and today’s refugees and the communities that take them in,” says co-creator Heather Pattengale. “We ruminate on the themes of the stranger, integration, fear, identity, and hospitality. It’s a troubling story, one that we believe is timely as Canadian citizens simultaneously applaud and decry our country’s plan to welcome thousands of refugees in the coming years.”
Adds Pattengale, “Kaspar was not a refugee in the same way that Syrian Refugees are today, but he was still a stranger in need who arrived in a unknown city, and who relied on others to help him. Some of those in his new community felt he was a threat, others felt that he needed to be helped. We feel that we’ve done our job if the audience leaves with empathy not only for those who are the strangers in their life but for their neighbours as well, even if they don’t agree.”
Rehearsal photo credits: Jordan Cutbill
Performance Locations, Dates and Times
Drumheller, Alberta
Thursday, July 21, 10:00 PM Badlands Passion Play Forum Theatre 605 17th Street SW (meet at the Ticket Booth)
Strathmore, Alberta
Saturday, July 23, 10:00 PM Hope Community Covenant Church 245 Brent Blvd (meet at the Hope Church Entrance)
Rosebud, Alberta
Sunday, July 24, 10:00 PM Rosebud Covenant Church 404 1st Ave W (meet at the Rosebud Church Entrance)
Ticket Price & Donations
Tickets are $10 each and can be reserved by emailing kasparhausertheatre@gmail.com or by calling (403) 801-5983.
Additional donations are welcome. All funds go toward the Rosebud Committee for Syria fundraising efforts for refugee relief.
Please bring a chair or a blanket to sit on and dress for the evening weather.
About Fireside Theatre is a collective of theatre artists based in Rosebud who wanted to use their love for storytelling to support the Rosebud Committee for Syria who is raising funds for worldwide refugee relief efforts, including the sponsorship of a refugee family in partnership with the Hope for Syria group in Strathmore.