Standing Strong

Reviewed by Debbie McClure

1978 was a time of great music and even greater changes. Women in male-dominated workplaces, such as auto plants, were often considered subpar or “unskilled workers” and not particularly valuable employees. Women were still fighting for fair living wages, challenging sexual harassment in the workplace, unsafe working conditions, and bosses who discounted their value. Standing strong with a union was seen as traitorous to the companies that refused to allow workers to vote for a union. Women workers who wanted a strong union were often harshly targeted. Striking was the only way these workers could force companies to come to the bargaining table in good faith and truly listen. Women often formed strong bonds with their co-workers, and it’s against this background of turmoil that the characters and storyline develop.

When housewife Maeve (played by Madison Hayes-Crook) decides to take on a job to help with household finances, she walks into a new world. While her husband is away on an extended job posting with the RCMP, Maeve’s confidence in herself takes root. Working at a small auto-wiring plant isn’t easy, but the friendships that are formed between the women Maeve works with are as enduring and as strong as the women themselves. Canadian labour history is unfolding, and Maeve and her friends must decide which side of the picket line they’re going to be on. Friendships grow, and others splinter as each woman is forced to confront her own personal struggles and decide whether to defy a company that refuses to listen.

Sisters of ‘78 is based on the true story of the Fleck Strike of 1978 that shook the community of Centralia. Several of the original strikers were in the audience, reminding the rest of us that these events shaped the way many of today’s workers and companies now operate.

Written by award-winning Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva, and directed by Mary Francis Moore, Sisters of ’78 is the wonderful adaptation of a pivotal time in Canadian labour history. With an outstanding cast, the story unfolds to reveal not just the backdrop of labour union laws, but the realities many women faced in the home and workplace. It was a time when solidarity among women ran strong, and the characters’ own stories accurately reflect the realities they faced. This is a fiercely funny, deeply moving performance by some of the best actors I’ve had the pleasure to watch in a long time. In addition to the excellent performance by Madison Hayes-Crook (Maeve), I was particularly impressed by Allysa LeClair (Joyce), who carried her performance brilliantly. When her character spoke, the audience listened and was moved to clap after one particularly motivating segment. This is not to downplay the excellent performances by supporting cast Aiden Altow (Andrew), Shelayna Chistante (Angie), Cara Hunter (Margaret), Geoffrey Poundsett (Glen), Kirstyn Russelle (Natalie), and Shaina Silver-Baird. Sisters of ‘78 is a must-see production that I completely enjoyed and highly recommend.

Sisters of ’78 continues at the Blyth Festival Theatre until August 9.  Tickets are available at 519-523-9300 / 1-877-862-5984 or go to https://blythfestival.com/.

Photo: The Women of ’78, with actors Kirstyn Russelle, Shelayna Christante, Madison Hayes-Crook, Cara Hunter, and Alyssa LeClair. Photo Lyon Smith.

Sisters of ‘78
By Kristen DaSilva
Directed by Mary Francis Moore
Performed by Madison Hayes-Crook, Shelayna Christante, Cara Hunter, Geoffrey Poundsett, Kirstyn Russelle, and Shaina Silver-Baird, Aiden Altow
Set and Costume Design Sean Mulcahy
Blyth Festival, Margaret Stephens Stage at Memorial Hall, Blyth, Ontario
June 10 to August 9, 2026
Reviewed by Debbie McClure