Let's go back to 1930s Barrie when ice harvesters were on Kempenfelt Bay.
Theatre by the Bay is putting on a production at the Five Points Theatre titled, "Icemen."
The story follows two brothers, Joe and Rennie, who work as ice harvesters in Barrie during the Great Depression.
"They find out that the industry is coming to an end because of artificial refrigeration and as a last-ditch attempt to save themselves, they take their boss hostage for a ransom, and that's where things start.," director Iain Moggach told Barrie 360.
Actor Isaiah Kolundzic, who plays Joe, says the character represents the "trodden-down man."
"The person who's been left behind by the technological advances in the world, and that breeds desperation," said Kolundzic. "Joe is a representation of those characters and what lengths they will go to in order to get, not just money or food, but dignity."
The production was written by Vern Thiessen, a Governor General’s Award winner.
"I was working with Vern on ideas of what show he would want to write for us and we were both drawn to the story of the ice and these two brothers at a time of great upheaval and change, which we think really speaks to today's themes even though it's set in [19]36," said Moggach.
Kolundzic added that the theatre's location even plays a part.
"Having Kempenfelt Bay right there, you're leaving the theatre and you can look and see where the men would have been harvesting."
Coined a "thriller" in a press release, the production runs till November 12th and includes matinee and evening performances.
Tickets are available here.
Banner image captured by Barrie 360
