Trent Valley Archives Theatre
Returning May 2025
Crossing Over: Sequel Tide of Hope
A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives
May 29 – 31, 2025
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson settlers from Ireland to our district in 1825, ‘Crossing Over’ is a fictionalized account of the voyage of the emigrant transport ship, John Barry.
(More information.)
*** Tickets Available Now! ***
Have you seen the updated Heritage Gazette?
We are pleased to continue and expand on the pioneering work of archivist Elwood Jones and Steve Gavard as we explore the near and distant past in this full colour publication.
View the current and past issues
Check out this piece written by TVA member and researcher Robert Clarke about Cathleen McCarthy, who worked for the Peterborough Examiner as a journalist. Her papers are housed at TVA as part of our Cathleen McCarthy Fonds (F572)
Cathleen McCarthy – Women Film Pioneers Project
wfpp.columbia.edu
Women Film Pioneers Project is a scholarly resource exploring women’s global involvement at all levels of film production during the silent film era.
Crossing Over is the thrilling sequel to Tide of Hope and a compelling story set to hit the stage in May of 2025, just in time for the Bicentennial of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration. ![]()
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When an English lord confiscates the Ryan family’s tenant farm, they feel incredibly fortunate to be selected for England’s assisted emigration program for destitute Irish families. In the late spring of 1825, they find themselves aboard the ill-fated sailing ship John Barry on a challenging transatlantic voyage to an unfamiliar world and a new life in Upper Canada.![]()
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The voyage of the John Barry proves rough sailing for the Ryan family. Once aboard the ship, they cross paths with David Nagle, the land agent who confiscated their farm, father falls ill, dutiful daughter Elizabeth is preoccupied with taking care of "da," and wayward brothers Tim and John find themselves with lots of leeway to make trouble. Chaffing under the routine of shipboard life, harboring resentment against the English, rubbing shoulders with Nagle and his wife, and their father and sister distracted, the two Irish lads soon land themselves in hot water when they go snooping around the ship and convince themselves that they have discovered evidence of an English conspiracy. They think that the ship is taking all the Irish settlers to a prison colony.![]()
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Despite their flaws, John and Tim have hearts of gold and decide that they have to save everybody aboard the ship from a fate worse than death. When the ship runs aground and a storm strikes, the boys make their move.![]()
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Can the spirit of charity that prompted Peter Robinson to organize his immensely successful 1825 emigration program, the deep affection, tenderness, and loyalty of family, their cultural community, and the love of a good woman conquer old wounds, trauma, and the fear of the unknown? Can it save the lads from themselves and their wild imaginations? Ultimately, can John and Tim transition and “cross over” to a new way of life that is free of sectarian violence and English domination in Upper Canada?![]()
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If the synopsis above has captured your attention and you want to see the story unfold in person, make sure you purchase your tickets to Crossing Over! It will be performed at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on the evenings of May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm and on the afternoon of May 31 at 2pm. Cabaret tickets cost $40 and regular tickets cost $30. To purchase tickets, visit our Crossing Over ticket page, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=433 or call the Market Hall box office at 705-775-1503. If you're a TVA member, check your inbox for a special email from us about the play!
We are also excited to be supporting the film The Backwoodsman at ReFrame this year! One of our board members, Al Kirby (who is also one of the musicians featured in the film), hosted Nick van der Graaf during our Fireside Chats series to talk about his filmmaking process and the process of capturing folk song on film, and we're excited to see the final product. If you attended our Fireside Chats series, you won't want to miss this screening!✨ THE BACKWOODSMAN, from filmmaker Nick van der Graaf , is a film about a folk song, the life it portrays, and the culture that lingers. Through interviews, musical performances, and recreations of pioneer life, the film explores the lives of 19th-century lumbermen in the Kawarthas and how their musical heritage persists today.![]()
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🎫🎟️ The Backwoodsman is part of both the In-Person and Virtual Programs.![]()
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📅 Screening on Friday, January 24, at 5:00 PM at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.![]()
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💻 Available as part of our Virtual Program from January 27 to February 2.![]()
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Learn more about this film at: reframefilmfestival.ca/film/the-backwoodsman/![]()
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❤️ Thank you to our film sponsor Trent Valley Archives ![]()
💗 ReFrame's Close to Home collection is generously supported by David and Patricia Morton, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and Peterborough Kawartha NDP ![]()
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#ReFrame2025
We are excited to be supporting Autism Plays Itself at ReFrame this year! Check out the post below for more information on the film.✨ AUTISM PLAYS ITSELF (Janet Harbord) - A film shot in 1957 in at the Maudsley Hospital, London, captures the movements and behaviour of children under observation for atypical behaviour. In the present day, three autistic respondents watch the footage, bringing new and insightful interpretations of the children’s behaviour as they explore the sparse environment of the clinic. Through speculation and identification, with wit and audacity, the responses forge a new soundtrack from an autistic point of view. As the film evolves, it takes on the rhythms and repetitions of the children’s activities, becoming a playful homage to the body language of autism.![]()
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🎫🎟️Autism Plays Itself is part of both the In-Person and Virtual Programs.![]()
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📅 Screening in person on Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 AM at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.![]()
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💻Available as part of our Virtual Program from January 27 to February 2.![]()
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Learn more about this film at: reframefilmfestival.ca/film/autism-plays-itself/![]()
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⭐ Production: Whalebone Films ![]()
❤️ Thank you to our film sponsors: Trent Valley Archives ![]()
💗 ReFrame's Film Forward collection is generously supported by: Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Peterborough and District Labour Council ![]()
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#ReFrame2025
We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve! As we look forward to 2025, we can't help but be excited about everything we have planned for Peterborough's bicentennial year. We'll share more details soon. In the meantime, make sure you're following us on all of our social media channels (and that you're subscribed to email mailing list) so you don't miss any announcements! ![]()
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[Image Caption: New Year's Eve Celebrations at the Empress Hotel Ballroom on December 31, 1959]