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NLIS 4
July 18, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


Theatrical performances celebrating 1000th anniversary of Viking arrival

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Charles Furey is pleased with the theatrical component of the Vikings! 1000 years affiliated events program.

"The program allows more people to be involved with the Viking celebrations ," Minister Furey said. "There is a vast medley in performances to capture the interests of everyone."

The following four performances have been chosen to partake in the celebrations commemorating the arrival of Leif Erickson and his Viking crew.

Opening reception was on Sunday, exhibiting the work of Swedish artist Jon Pol;The Spiritual World of the Vikings, being held at the Resource Centre for the Arts. Exhibit runs until August 17

Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador�s Safe Ashore, written by Anne Chislet and Janet Michael and performed by an all-Newfoundland cast tells the story of a Newfoundland family operating a bed and breakfast in L�Anse aux Meadows. They take the audience back through history through the lives of their ancestors in the early 1800s. Safe Ashore had been under way since June 3 and is playing until August 31 at the WAREHOUSE THEATRE in Gros Morne National Park. Safe Ashore will run for two night at the LSPU Hall in St. John�s on July 24 and 25.

The Viking Project presents the Viking story to a broader audience. This family orientated play was developed by the Shakespeare By The Sea Festival and will be performed by young actors in Bowring Park. All of the performances will be held during the weekends of August outdoors in the park.

Approaching the end of the summer there will be a one-women play telling the tales of Gudridur Thorbjarnardottir, and of her voyage to North America where she gave birth to the first European born in North America. The Saga of Gudridur can be seen in St. John�s at the LSPU hall. Showings are August 23 and 24.

Furey commented: "This program offers great theatrical performances, it�s a fantastic addition to the celebrations."

Vikings! 1000 Years: Make the Journey is a project of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation, Parks Canada and the Viking Trail Tourism Association. The Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program are the funding partners for Vikings! 1000 Years. The three major corporate sponsors for the Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations are Petro-Canada, NewTel and Newfoundland Power. Supporting sponsors include Dominion, Eimskip, FMC Kongsberg Subsea, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, Interprovincial Airlines, and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

Performance contacts

Safe Ashore - Gaylene Buckle.                                     (709) 639-7238
The Viking Project- Gabriel Newman.                           (709) 576-0980
The Spiritual World of the Vikings - Andrea Cooper.     (709) 753-4531
The Saga of Gudridur - Jennifer Deon                            (709) 576-0980

Media contact: Tara Laing, Communications! Special Celebrations, (709)729-3813.

2000 07 18                     11:10 a.m.


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