History
Alive !
THE
DAVID THOMPSON
PUPPET THEATRE
SPONSORED BY THE
THE FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE
Come and visit theNational Historic Site
this summer and see history come alive before your eyes with the magnificent puppets of the nationally recognized Evergreen and Old Trout Theatres. For children of all ages the puppet theatre will keep you enthralled with the stories of David Thompson, Aboriginals, and our great history. Sing-a-long with the proud voyageurs and be mesmerized by these unique, large puppets. The puppet of David Thompson is the largest and most detailed. It is a 'head' puppet, that is actually attached to the head of the performer as a 'hat' with the puppet apparel covering the face of the performer. The actor's hands are in the sleeves of this innovative puppet to be used as the actual 'hands' of David Thompson. The puppets, scripts, stage designs are all original and this year include puppets of Charlotte Small, two voyageurs, David Thompson and an Aboriginal chief. In the years ahead more puppets will be added. The sets are mobile and in the future will be used for touring schools and tourist venues to promote the National Historic Site and our gripping history.
THREE Years ago the amount of $ 29, 950..00 was awarded to the
Friends of the National Historic Site at Rocky Mountain House for an innovative
puppet theatre proposal to promote our history and to bring children to the
Site.
The Puppet Theatre has not only been a
spectacular success but the theatre has brought our
history to life appealing to the child in each of
us.
This program really " Makes
History Fun", one of our main aims at the Site. We want families to enjoy themselves, so they don't even
realize they are learning about the national importance of this historic site
of Canadian history." Since its inception
the Puppet Theatre has also been on tour due to increasing demands by groups
and schools.
The National Historic Site officially opens on the long weekend in May. Hours
are from 10-am to 5 pm each day including weekends. On site is an interpretive
museum, a play fort,
York boat, Red River carts, fur trade cemetery, a fur
trade press and four fur trade post sites including the Northwest Company post of David Thompson. The new and innovative Puppet theatre
will bring visitors back to the days of the fur
trade. There are breathtaking walks along an
interpretive trail that borders the North Saskatchewan River. The National Historic Site is 8 kilometres from the town of
Rocky Mountain House along highway 11A over the old bridge.
For further information contact the Friends @ 1-403-845-6680 or The National Historic Site @ 1-403-845-2412 ( Scott Whiting or Shelley Bird).