Spirits, storytelling and cultural memory come to life in West Moon, presented by OC’s Red Dot Players
What happens when the dead won't stay quiet — and when they're hilarious, heartfelt and have opinions about everything from resettlement to the weather? You get West Moon, the latest production, where the dearly departed gather in a seaside Newfoundland graveyard for one night each year to mourn, remember and… gossip.
Directed by DeAnna MacArthur—herself a born-and-raised Newfoundlander — this poignant and poetic play by Newfoundland writer Al Pittman opens June 5 at the Okanagan College Theatre on the Kelowna campus. Known for its “perfect blend of pathos and humour,” West Moon is both a love letter to the resilience of Newfoundlanders and a reflection on what it means to belong.
“This show feels a bit like home to me,” said MacArthur. “Every character reminds me of someone I know. It’s heartbreaking and funny in the way only Newfoundlanders know how to be — laughing through tears, somehow managing to turn a tragic situation into a comedy.”
MacArthur continues, “Even though I did not personally live through resettlement (which took place in Newfoundland in the mid-1960s), it was still happening in some communities when I was growing up there, and the echoes and shadows of it are still alive and well today.”
The story unfolds in a small, abandoned outport graveyard on All Souls’ Night, where spirits return to share memories and reckon with their community’s fate in the face of government-mandated resettlement.
The show marks MacArthur’s directorial debut with The Red Dot Players and the company’s first-ever June production. A registered physiotherapist and instructor with Okanagan College’s Therapist Assistant Diploma program, MacArthur brings a unique perspective to the play’s exploration of loss, memory and human connection.
“Working in health care, especially with older adults, means living through many stories and experiences of connection and loss. That deepens how I approach theatre like this,” said MacArthur. “Directing West Moon has been a beautiful mix of reflection, laughter and storytelling. The biggest challenge has been convincing the cast not to fix perceived grammatical errors in the text, because they are not errors! It’s just ‘how we talks’ in Newfoundland!”
The Red Dot Players, sponsored by Okanagan College’s Arts and Foundational 黨ý, provide students, employees, alumni and community members with opportunities for creative self-expression while making live theatre accessible to wider audiences.
“OC’s support of the Red Dot Players reflects the college’s commitment to the arts and to community connection,” said Jeremy Beaulne, artistic director of the Red Dot Players and professor with OC’s department of English. “West Moon is more contemplative than some of our past productions, but it’s a powerful piece—exploring themes like identity, community and cultural memory with great insight and sensitivity. We’re thrilled to see DeAnna bring it to life.”
Performances of West Moon run June 5 - 8 at the Okanagan College Theatre in Kelowna. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors, available in advance at . Tickets will also be available at the door.
