Mary of Shanty Bay is a two act play (2F, 2M), commissioned by Theatre by the Bay in Barrie. It was produced by Theatre by the Bay (TBTB) in 2018, and had an almost completely sold-out run. A new production occurred in September/October 2022, with performances inside St. Thomas Church in Shanty Bay and at Theatre Collingwood. Available to purchase through the Canadian Play Outlet here.
Photo by Laura Joy Photography
Mary of Shanty Bay is based on the real-life diaries of Mary Gapper, who comes to Canada from England in 1828. What starts off as a short visit soon becomes a lifelong adventure, with Mary and her husband building a home on the edge of a new world and struggling for survival. Does Mary possess the resilience and resourcefulness to rise to the occasion?
The 2022 production of Mary of Shanty Bay was performed in St. Thomas Church, Shanty Bay. St. Thomas Church was founded and built by Edward G. O’Brien, his wife Mary Gapper O’Brien, and members of the community.
This production was directed by Rochelle Reynolds, and featured Leah Holder (Mary), Daniel Reale (Edward), Jessy Ardern (Fanny and others), and Aidan Gouveia (Southby and others).
Photo by Khaleel Gandhi, featuring Leah Holder and Daniel Reale.
Trailer for Mary of Shanty Bay, Theatre by the Bay 2022. Edit by Khaleel Gandhi.
Hear Leah talk about Mary of Shanty Bay on CBC
Ontario Morning!
Ontario Morning from CBC Radio with Ramraajh Sharvendiran - Sep. 20, 2022: The return of Mary of Shanty Bay. Listen here.
See the article in Barrie Today
featuring an interview with Leah Holder here.
Photo by Khaleel Gandhi, featuring Aidan Gouveia, Jessy Ardern, and Leah Holder.
Poster for Mary of Shanty Bay at Theatre Collingwood. Photo by Leah Holder.
BIKE TRIP TO CHARLTON MACKRELL
OCTOBER 2023
In October 2023, I travelled to the village of Charlton Mackrell, Somerset, England, to Mary Sophia Gapper’s childhood home. In order to get there I had to rent a bicycle from a bloke named Tony, who definitely thought I was completely bonkers, but that’s another story.
The altar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s, Charlton Mackrell, Somerset. Edmund Gapper, Mary Sophia Gapper’s father, is traditionally thought to be buried under this floor.
This was such a meaningful day for me-- to put some closure on this part of Mary’s and my story. And to take a part of Mary back to England, where she herself never returned.
A smiling Leah stands outside of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Charlton Mackrell, Somerset, England
Photo by Khaleel Gandhi., featuring Daniel Reale and Leah Holder.
Photo by Khaleel Gandhi, featuring Leah Holder.
Here’s Leah and her rented blue bicycle, on route to Charlton Mackrell.
In the village I met up with the delightfully generous Church Warden of St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, who offered me a tour and many new stories. Mary Gapper’s father Edmund Gapper was the Reverend of this church and tradition says that he is buried under the floor.
On the north wall was a marble plaque (below) honouring several members of the Gapper family, including Southby. One parishioner I spoke with had been staring at the plaque for her whole life, always saddened by Southby’s premature death, but didn’t have any details. It was a great honour for me to be able to offer context and share what I knew about William Southby.
A marble wall plaque hangs on the north wall of the church, honouring several members of the Gapper family, including William Southby, who died in Canada age 34.
There’s so much more of Mary’s story left untold. I don’t know what the next project is… but she’s not done with me yet.