For information about the show: Email Onalea
An original poetic song cycle
Written and created by Onalea Gilbertson
With compositions by Onalea Gilbertson, Jonathan Lewis and Morag Northey
Onalea Gilbertson: Vocals/Piano/Guitar
Jonathan Lewis: Violin/Clarinet/Soundscape
Morag Northey: Cello/Backup vocals
If we don’t tell their stories all will be forgotten…
BLANCHE is a theatrical song cycle that lives in the dream state between music and theatre.
BLANCHE was commissioned by the Banff Centre and it had its premiere at the 2007 Banff Summer Arts Festival.
In BLANCHE the 14 songs are poetic family movies inspired by the bittersweet life of a wild prairie dame; also included in the sonic landscape are 11 interlude selections that act as memory sequences, utilizing Blanche’s voice which has been recorded and carefully pieced together from interviews over the past few years.
BLANCHE is set in a dusty sitting room in the far corner of the mind. At its core this piece is a meditation on memory; what we remember, when we remember, who we remember and what others remember about us.
In the live presentation the audience is treated to projections of fantastic photographs that Blanche Gilbertson and her friends took during the 1930’s on an old Brownie Camera, as well as other carefully curated photographs from her long and dramatic life.
I have been hugely inspired by my Gram Blanche’s little leather photo album from the 1930’s. I found the album a few years ago in the bottom of her dresser drawer right after she moved into her nursing home. Laughing, stylish young people having the time of their lives during the Depression on the Alberta prairie.
This photo album became an artifact that renewed my soul connection with Blanche, and inspired me to gather as much of her story as I possibly could and turn it into song. Words and phrases from interviews with Blanche were a springboard for many a composition. My father also provided much insight and support, most especially when sharing his poignant feelings about never having a chance to talk to his father about the war.
Blanche Gilbertson has had an amazing life. She grew up in the middle of the Depression on the Alberta prairie. She was the belle of Hughenden with horses lined up outside the house because of all the suitors who had come to call. In 1932 her boyfriend Ronnie used to come over with a suitcase and take pictures of her in his clothes. (That was Blanche… doing drag in the Depression!) She experienced tragedy in her young life when her husband Bill was killed up north when she was only 23 leaving her with 2 small children. She eventually fell in love with Woody Gilbertson (her late husband’s brother) and married him just before he shipped off to war. She raised her 5 kids in Calgary while Woody worked in the oilfeilds, threw fabulous parties and entertained many friends. She was widowed for the second time at only 55. Blanche Gilbertson just turned 93 this September and resides at a care centre in Calgary.
On Nov 25 2006, Dad and I went to Ponoka to interview my Great Uncle Lloyd Twa about his experiences as a POW during WW2; it was an incredible day that will remain with us always…
Blanche says that she remembers his letters from the prisoner's camp and that he was a damn good writer too! Lloyd currently resides at a nursing home in Ponoka Alberta.
This project is dedicates to Blanche... (b. 1915 -nee Leadlay) a special soul , an inspiration to me… she is definitely a wild prairie dame - one of the wildest I have ever known. Gram Blanche has 5 children, 15 Grandchildren and 10 Great grandchildren. This project is also dedicated to all of them…