The Glace Bay Miners' Museum

Ian C. Nelson is assistant director of libraries at the University of
Saskatchewan, and président de la Troupe du Jour, Regina Summer Stage.

Wendy Lill’s 1996 Governor General’s Award–nominated stage play
adds to both the celebrity and the life of Sheldon Currie’s short
story and novel. What is remarkable about this script is that Lill has
translated a novel—and, moreover, a novel that is essentially an
intense first-person monologue—into a captivating dramatic form, with
engaging dialogue, conflict between characters, and enough thoughts
shared directly with the audience to retain the flavor of the original.
She cleverly simplifies the plot line in a couple of places to keep a
dramatically sharp focus. She also reverses the role of two characters
in a significant part of the story in order to flesh out the live
impression created from the stage.

This very worthy work in its own right will no doubt contribute to the
reputation of The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum as a Canadian classic.