Tales Told by Idiots - The REAL History of Granville Island

"'Tis a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Macbeth. Act 5, scene 5

We gather by the sculpture garden behind the Granville Island False Creek Gym. We’re here to learn of the history made at this place. Or not.

Our two tour guides could not be more dissimilar. Buttoned down and pinstriped, Riley may have been fired but he prefers to characterize the event as “temporary forced retirement”. The anti-fascist, anti-colonial Chance admittedly has really nice hair but he’s totally committed to being a “warrior for Truth and Justice (if time permits). He offers the shorter version of Granville Island history: “Yuppies took over. The end.”

Our erstwhile guides are constrained by the CMHC Security Guard who may or may not represent the morality police. So, in Riley’s words, we get “truth balanced by idiocy”. Are we standing on the site of the goose-aided invention of the beeper or a former grow-op commune destroyed by government-sponsored eco-terrorism?

We get Stalin, neo-satanist restauranteurs, durable little elementary school kids, a Nike store demo gone wrong, bruised shibulas and abused Hugo Boss slacks. Blood feuds come before personal integrity. We consult the Tree of Truthiness.

This little gem is packed with fun ideas, charming characters, witty one-liners and some sound and fury chucked in for good measure. A must-see.

SHOWS REMAINING - On each evening at 6:40 pm. (Except Sun. Sept 9)

CREDITS - Playwright: Sam Young; Director: Megan Robinson

An onsite show at Sculpture Grove, behind False Creek Gym