She Sees Dead People
Reviewed by Debbie McClure
Maggie Pollock loves her simple life on the farm with her brother and neighbours for company. Nothing strange about that. However, Maggie has a gift and she’s generous with sharing it with others. That is until she’s accused of witchcraft. In the early 1900s, witchcraft wasn’t much of a thing anymore, but as Maggie learns, it’s certainly not dead either. As the story unfolds, we learn that primarily women were tried as witches, with many facing unimaginable death sentences. Maggie’s story reminds us of the dangers of spreading rumours, and what it means to be “different”, especially in a small rural town like Blyth. This story, about a woman in Blyth is finally being told on the Blyth Festival stage at Memorial Hall.
They say it takes a village, and playwright Beverley Cooper credits many local contributors to the play’s beginnings, inspiration, and resources to help tell Maggie’s story. Cooper is a favourite at the Blyth Festival, having written If Truth Be Told about banning books in Huron County, The Lonely Diner – Al Capone in Euphemia Township, and Innocence Lost, about Steven Truscott.
The Trials of Maggie Pollock is based on the true story of Miss Maggie Pollock, the last woman in Canada accused of witchcraft in 1919. Her case went to trial in court in Goderich and was appealed in 1920.
This is a fun, entertaining, thought-provoking, and at times, downright spooky telling of the tale. You see, Maggie sees and talks to dead people. “It’s as normal as breathing”, she claims. Can it be true? Can the living really communicate through the veil and talk to the dearly departed? The performance was masterfully written by Beverly Cooper, directed by Ann-Marie Kerr, and portrayed by Caroline Gillis as Maggie, Amy Keating as Younger Woman, Cameron Laurie as Younger Man, J.D. Nicholsen as Older Man, and Susan Stackhouse as Older Woman. Leaning into the story, the audience is led down a path that begs the question, “What if?” For Maggie Pollock, being on trial for witchcraft is more frightening than the ghosts she sees.
Kudos to Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston for the period costume design and Shawn Kerwin for set design in bringing that perfect touch of eerie haunting and thinning of the veil in the ghost scenes. The lady in the seat beside me actually shivered at one point before chuckling at a quip by sharp-witted Maggie.
The Trials of Maggie Pollock is a must-see for anyone who loves Canadian lore and legends. It’s a good ghost story and one I’d highly recommend.
The Trials of Maggie Pollock continues at the Blyth Festival Memorial Hall until August 29th Tickets are available at 519-523-9300 / 1-877-862-5984 or go to https://blythfestival.com/.
Photo: Susan Stackhouse as Older Woman, Caroline Gillis as Maggie Pollock, J.D. Nicholsen as Older Man, and Amy Keating as Young Woman. Photography by James Smith.
The Trials of Maggie Pollock
By Beverley Cooper
Directed by Ann-Marie Kerr
Performed by Caroline Gillis, Amy Keating, Cameron Laurie, J.D. Nicholsen, and Susan Stackhouse
Blyth Festival, 423 Queen Street, Blyth, Ontario
July 31st to August 29th, 2024
Reviewed by Debbie McClure