Canadian Wild Flowers, written by Mary Louise Phillips and directed by Layne Kriwoken, runs at Duncan United Church Heritage Hall from February 20 to March 8. Produced by Mercury Players as the second of three Canadian plays this season, Canadian Wild Flowers is based on a true story set around the time of Confederation and offers a vivid glimpse into 1865 Upper Canada through the eyes of young widow Agnes FitzGibbon, a mother of six.
A gifted amateur painter, Agnes sets out to create the very first book of Canadian wildflowers while confronting poverty, sexism, and loneliness. She battles her publisher's reluctance, her mother's disapproval, and her own self-doubt—and, when she discovers that no press in the colony can print colour illustrations, her dream seems in danger of withering. By enlisting her three young daughters to help hand-paint each page, Agnes finds strength in family and in her belief, ultimately changing the nature of Canadian book publishing forever.
Canadian Wild Flowers is presented at Duncan United Church Heritage Hall, 246 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1P4, Canada. A compelling addition to the season's Vancouver Island events and a standout among Central Island events, this production celebrates resilience, creativity, and the power of a visionary dream.
