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Ken Mitchell

KEN MITCHELL

  (1940 - )
Nationality:    Canadian
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    Bella Pomer Agency, Inc  

Ken Mitchell is a playwright, story-teller, poet and actor whose work has been seen around the world. He wrote the ground-breaking "Country Opera" Cruel Tears with Humphrey and the Dumptrucks in 1975, the script for the award-winning film Hounds of Notre Dame (1981), and the novel Stones of the Dalai Lama, published by Soho Press, New York (1993). He is a retired professor of English from the University of Regina, where he now lives. Ken is the artistic director of Burning Sun

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below is a list of Ken Mitchell's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Chautauqua Girl         Cruel Tears         Davin: the Politician         Future Harvest         Genesis         Gone the Burning Sun         Great Cultural Revolution, The         Great Electrical Revolution, The         Grey Owl         Heroes         Laffin' Jack Rivers Show         Meadowlark Connection, The         Medicine Line, The         Melody Farm         Plainsman, The         Pleasant Street         Save the Pigs         Shipbuilder, The         Showdown At Sand Valley         Spirit Of Saskatoon         That'll Be the Day         This Train         Tommy!         Year Of the Moose

Chautauqua Girl

Synopsis:
Based on the life of Nola Ericson who founded the first Canadian "tent show" in 1917

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Carousel Stage Company, Vancouver.    1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto, 1982   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Cruel Tears

Cruel Tears
Based on Othello, this "country opera" looks at the loves and rivalries of Saskatchewan truck drivers

Notes:
Music written by Humphrey And the Dumptrucks

1st Produced:
Persephone Theatre, Saskatoon    1975

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Pile of Bones Publishing, Regina, 1976   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Country Opera

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  3            Other:  chorus

Further Reference:
-

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Davin: the Politician

Synopsis:
Canada's settlement is portrayed through the turbulent life of Nicolas Flood Davin: poet, politician, newspaperman and lover of Kate Simpson, one of Canada's first feminists

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Globe Theatre, Regina    1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
NeWest Press, Edmonton, 1979   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
three-act Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  1            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Future Harvest

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Regina    1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Genesis

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with Douglas Hicton

1st Produced:
Merely Players for a tour of Saskatchewan    1975

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
two-act historical epic

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Gone the Burning Sun

Gone the Burning Sun
A compelling portrait of Dr. Norman Bethune, the brilliant medical man who devoted himself to saving the world in China, Spain and Montreal. Winner, 1985 Canadian Authors' Association Drama Award

Notes:
written with David Liang

1st Produced:
Guelph Spring Festival    1984

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto, 1985   978-0887544347

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama One Act

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Great Cultural Revolution, The

Synopsis:
At the height of the Great Proletarian Revolution in 1966, a playwright faces destruction as a result of his political statements. Political Drama is combined with acrobatics, mime & music

Notes:
written with Michael Taylor

1st Produced:
Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver.    1979

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto, 1980   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  3            Other:  musicians, ddancers

Further Reference:
-

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Great Electrical Revolution, The

Synopsis:
When the Moose Jaw Light and Power Company pulls the plug on the Gallagher family for non-payment, leaving them powerless in the dark, they rise against the monopoly in a gloriously funny revolution

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Globe Theatre, Regina    1996

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto, 1996   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Grey Owl

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Saskatoon    1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Heroes

Synopsis:
Superman and the Lone Ranger find themselves in a battle of egos while awaiting interviews with the "Chief." Lois Lane and Tonto arrive raising banners of Women's Lib and Red Power

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Surrey University, Guildford, England    1972

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto, 1973   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy One Act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Laffin' Jack Rivers Show

Synopsis:
An ageing country musician descends into alcoholism

Notes:
written with Michael Taylor

1st Produced:
Saskatoon    1983

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Meadowlark Connection, The

Meadowlark Connection, The
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Pile of Bones Publishing, Regina, 1975   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Medicine Line, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
by the community of Moose Jaw    1976

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Saskatchewan Department of Culture and Youth, 1974   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
outdoor Drama One Act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Melody Farm

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Saskatoon    1987

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Plainsman, The

Synopsis:
After the 1895 Batoche rebellion, Madeline and Gabriel Dumont struggle to maintain the spirit and dignity of the Metis people

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Saskatoon's 25th Street House theatre    1985

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Coteau Books, Regina, 1992   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play with Music

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Pleasant Street

Synopsis:
It's 20 years after publication of the last Dick and Jane reader, and life on Pleasant Street has changed drastically

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Saskatoon's 25th Street House theatre    1972

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Black Comedy One Act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Save the Pigs

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Shipbuilder, The

Synopsis:
A Finnish immigrant, landlocked on the vast prairie, proceeds to build a steamship for a long journey

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
University of Regina Drama Department    1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Canadian Theatre Review (CTR 21), 1979   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
full-length Drama for voices and percussion

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  2            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Showdown At Sand Valley

Synopsis:
A comic satire on Westerns in which a Mountie is pitted against an American gunslinger in Sand Valley, Saskatchewan

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
the Merely Players for a tour of Saskatchewan    1975

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Gage Publishers in Cues and Entrances, 1977   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
comedy One Act

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  1            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Spirit Of Saskatoon

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with Michael Taylor

1st Produced:
Saskatoon    1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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That'll Be the Day

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Weyburn    1996

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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This Train

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Tarragon Theatre (Toronto)    1973

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Performing Arts in Canada, 1973   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragi-Comedy One Act

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Tommy!

Synopsis:
rollicking one-man show profiling Saskatchewan's Tommy Douglas, the man who brought medicare to the province

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Wheatland Theatre, Regina    1986

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Year Of the Moose

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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