The Seven Lives of Louis Riel – Could Turn You Into a Canadian History Geek

Ryan Gladstone of Monster Theatre is a Fringe favourite, and for good reason: solid creative writing, great performing, and timing. And for this show you get an important Canadian history lesson. Can you say #notboring. He's done a lot of research on Louis Riel and transformed the various versions of, “Who was the real Riel?” into a fun and informative show.

Adding to the excitement before he started the show, he held up his cell and said it could go off because his wife is 8 and a half months pregnant. Awww.  Sweet. The crowd would have gone wild if anyone's cell went off.

Not only does he give seven different versions from seven different characters' perspectives, but he does so in seven different genres.  God as puppet; John A. Macdonald as detective and Riel's cousin Charles Nolin reading a journal entry to sum up Louis Riel: the Legend.

The part I liked less was his Q&A sessions between scenes. On the one hand, he exuded enthusiasm for our history and usually (but not always) had the answers to the questions. My preference would have been to have more show, less Q&A.   I was the one who said, “Let's move on,” when he asked, “Are there any more questions, or shall we go on to the next story?” Maybe I would have liked it if he'd remained in character for the Q&A. Ryan Gladstone is a nice guy but I like him in role even better.

Among the many things I learned is that there are two statues of Riel in St. Boniface and the jury's out on which one is the “better” (depends on your definition of better). I'd seen one and he showed a photo of the original one. Weird. School kids have to get a note from their parents to see it. X-rated Canadian history!

We had more Q&A at the end. Asked if he was Métis, Gladstone responded, “No, but I've written a show about Shakespeare and I'm not smart.” No one there was Métis either. I'm curious to know if there's an issue there. Are you Métis? Let me know what you think.

Gladstone paints Riel as Canada's answer to Joan of Arc. The show is great fun but be warned: you may wind up losing an hour or two googling Canadian history the following day.

Could Gladstone incite high school Improv Teams to invade their history classes? Maybe he already does.

Just for fun: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/louis_riel/images/riel_cusb.jpg