Trent Valley Archives Theatre Returning in 2026
June 4, 5, 6 and 7 — A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough. Click here for more information.
The Kid from Simcoe Street
In our adaptation of this moving World War II era memoir, James Clarke recalls growing up in the poor and alcohol-ridden neighbourhood of downtown Peterborough.
As a boy, his father had been a foot soldier, but after coming home from the battlefields he turned to manic drinking and belligerence, shattering his wife’s dreams, and casting a dark shadow over James’ boyhood.
This story, told with emotion that is unflinching in its honesty, lets us see just how remarkable it is that James Clarke became not only a man esteemed and honoured as a judge of the Superior Court of Ontario, but as a respected poet, too.
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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.
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"The Kid from Simcoe Street," our next Trent Valley Archives Theatre production, highlights how different groups of people in the community rallied behind the young James Clarke. Now, your club, association, or organization has the opportunity to rally behind this production, a fundraiser for the Trent Valley Archives! ![]()
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If your group members regularly go on outings to events in the community, we think you will enjoy the opportunity to go and see "The Kid from Simcoe Street" together at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in June of 2026. It will be performed four times: on the evenings of June 4 and 5 at 7:30pm and on the afternoons of June 6 and 7 at 2:00pm.![]()
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For this production, specifically for clubs, associations and other organizations like yours, we are giving you an opportunity to reserve a certain number of seats together in the theatre for the performance date of your choice. These seats would be held, at no cost or obligation to your group, until April 30, 2026.![]()
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If your group does decide to reserve seats, you will be provided with a group reservation name and a booking code to pass on to your members, who can then go and book their tickets individually via the Market Hall website or by phoning or emailing the box office. Any unsold reserved tickets will be put on sale to the general public on May 1, 2026. ![]()
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The Saturday matinee has been extremely popular for group reservations, but rest assured there is still excellent seating available to reserve at all four performances. For more information on group bookings, please contact us at trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com. ![]()
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[Image Caption: James and his sisters on his new bike in front of their tenement on Simcoe Street. Image Credit: The Clarke Family.]
Trent Valley Archives Theatre is excited to announce our 2026 production: The Kid from Simcoe Street! ![]()
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Written by playwrights Ed Schroeter and Gerry McBride with script editing by David Francis Clarke, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is based on Ontario Superior Court Justice James Clarke's own memoir. Also titled The Kid from Simcoe Street, it describes his youth in Peterborough. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in poverty on Simcoe Street during the Depression and the Second World War, young James was forced to overcome many obstacles on his path to becoming a respected lawyer, judge, and poet. ![]()
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Initially oblivious to the imperfections of adults, young James idolizes his father, Sam. When the Second World War begins, Sam enlists and is wounded, coming home a changed man four years later. Now, witnessing his father's struggles with addiction, James is forced to reconcile his childhood adulation with his growing awareness of his father's shortcomings and the war trauma that has impacted his life. ![]()
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Although deprived of a father and a traditional boyhood, a close-knit community of Peterborough citizens from all walks of life came together to support James. His mother, local firefighters, teachers, nuns, coaches, hoteliers and lawyers all rallied behind him, steering a young man with potential toward a life of service and fulfillment. The play, replete with references to people and places in Peterborough's past, is sure to appeal to local history buffs, military Veterans and their families, and those who had their own childhood adventures in Peterborough in the 30s, 40s, and beyond. ![]()
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Directed by Drew Mills and stage managed by Barb Mills (the duo who brought Crossing Over to life), The Kid from Simcoe Street will be staged at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in June of 2026, with evening performances on June 4 and 5 at 7:30pm and matinee performances on June 6 and 7 at 2pm. Tickets are on sale now, and would make an excellent gift for the local theatre lovers on your list. Be sure to purchase yours early, as the best seats at each performance will sell out quickly! ![]()
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Tickets cost $30 for regular seating and $40 for cabaret seating and can be purchased by calling the Market Hall box office at 705-749-1146, emailing the Market Hall box office at boxoffice@markethall.com, or visiting their website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526 We hope to see you in June for a trip back in time to the Simcoe Street of yesteryear!
The latest issue of the Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley is here! Originally intended to be the August 2025 issue, it was delayed because of the events commemorating the Bicentennial of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration in August and has now been dubbed our October 2025 issue. Although it took a little longer for our Heritage Gazette committee to produce this issue, we hope that the collection of stories inside its pages will make up for the time it took to get to your inbox! ![]()
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When reading the issue, you'll discover an article written by TVA volunteer Dana Lynch about correspondence he found in our Howard Pammett fonds between Pammett and a Hollywood Twentieth Century Fox executive; primary sources, with commentary from historian Elwood Jones, exploring the role Hazelbrae played as the hub for Dr. Barnardo's Home Children in Peterborough; Heritage Gazette editor Alicia Bertrand's examination of the Ayotte family's rich farming history in Smith Township; a nostalgic look back at 50 Years of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club by the Club's President, Shelley Ryan, and much more!![]()
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If you're subscribed to our mailing list, check your inbox for an email from us with links to download the issue. If you're not already subscribed to our mailing list, you can do so via the link in our bio. The issue (along with past issues) is also available to download on the Heritage Gazette page on our website. Once you've read the issue, we'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment down below with your thoughts on this issue and any suggestions you have for our next issue (which is expected in early January, 2026).
Today is Remembrance Day, a day for commemorating the sacrifices members of our community have made in the First World War, the Second World War, and other conflicts around the world on our behalf. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on their service to our country. ![]()
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If someone you know was a member of the military, please share their names and their stories in the comments down below so others can read them.
Our Military History Tour is this afternoon at 3pm. Join military historian Don Willcock in Little Lake Cemetery to commemorate Remembrance Day and learn more about the Peterborough citizens who served in conflicts around the world.![]()
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It may be a snowy afternoon, but we think it is still important to take a moment to pay our respects at the final resting places of these brave men and women. Tickets cost $20 each and if you'd like to go on the tour, you can bring exact change with you to the cemetery. The tour meets in front of the chapel inside Little Lake Cemetery.
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