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.
Purchase your copy from Exile Editions
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
Opening night of "The Kid from Simcoe Street" at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre was a success! Thank you to everyone who came out to see the show and support the important work work we do at the Trent Valley Archives. The revenue generated from each ticket sold will help us continue to preserve our community's history and make it accessible to the public for generations to come. ![]()
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There are still tickets available to tonight's performance at 7:30pm, and our two matinee performances tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm (although tickets to tomorrow afternoon's matinee are very limited). If you didn't come out to the theatre last night to see the show, don't miss your chance to step back in time to wartime-era Peterborough! Tickets cost $30 each for regular seating and $40 each for cabaret seating and can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526![]()
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[Images Credit: Jordan Lyall Photography]
TONIGHT is OPENING NIGHT of "The Kid from Simcoe Street!" We can't wait to welcome you to the Market Hall tonight, tomorrow night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon to see the pages of James Clarke's memoir come to life on stage. Last night, our cast and behind the scenes team had a successful dress rehearsal in front of an invited audience of family, friends, and others and are ready to perform the play again for the public! ![]()
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As opening night quickly approaches, we thought we'd share a few of our favourite photos taken during the dress rehearsal that capture some of the highlights of the play. If you still haven't purchased tickets yet, let these photos motivate you into incorporating the theatre into your weekend plans! Tickets are still available to all four performances on June 4 and 5 at 7:30pm and June 6 and 7 at 2pm (although tickets to our June 6 matinee are almost sold out) and can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526![]()
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[Images Credit: Jordan Lyall Photography]
Want to win your very own copy of James Clarke's 2012 memoir "The Kid from Simcoe Street," the book that inspired this year's Trent Valley Archives Theatre production? If you do, check the inside of your program at any of our four Kid from Simcoe Street performances this weekend for a leaflet with a QR code linking you to our audience feedback survey.![]()
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The survey should only take a few minutes to complete, and once you have completed it, you'll have the opportunity to enter the draw by providing us with your name and contact information. Paper copies of the survey will also be available and can be handed in to Trent Valley Archives Theatre volunteers after each show. ![]()
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We tested out several new marketing strategies this year, and your responses to our survey will help us determine which of them were the most effective in raising awareness of our play. They will also help us improve our future productions overall by providing us with a better understanding of what audiences liked and didn't like about this year's production. ![]()
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NOTE: All responses to both the online and paper audience feedback survey must be submitted by the end of the day on Monday, June 8. A winner will be drawn on Tuesday, June 9. Shipping is not included and the winner must visit the Trent Valley Archives at 567 Carnegie Avenue to claim their prize.
As we're preparing to step back in time to wartime-era Peterborough with our production of "The Kid from Simcoe Street" at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre this weekend, we wanted to take a moment to thank our generous sponsors and donors. This year's production would not be possible without their support, as their financial and promotional contributions helped us mitigate production expenses and get the word out about "The Kid From Simcoe Street" in our community. ![]()
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We would like to thank this year's Platinum Sponsor, The Gardens Retirement Living; this year's Platinum Media Sponsor kawarthaNOW; this year's Platinum (In-Kind) Sponsor, Jordan Lyall Photography; this year's Gold Radio Sponsor Oldies 96.7; and this year's Silver Sponsor Templeton Law. ![]()
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We would also like to thank our donor, Theatre Connoisseur Harry Huffman. Special thanks to Selwyn Township for supporting our program printing with the Selwyn Township Municipal Grant. ![]()
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Finally, we would like to thank our Community Partners for supporting us in various ways: Exile Editions, Activity Haven, Entente Education Canada District 36 Peterborough, the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club, the St. James Players and the Electric City Players. ![]()
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Although sponsorship opportunities are no longer available for this year's production, we are looking forward to staging another incredible production next year! If you're interested in becoming a sponsor (either monetary or in-kind) of next year's production, please email us at TVAT@trentvalleyarchives.com.![]()
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[Image Credit: Jordan Lyall Photography]
Meet the behind the scenes team of The Kid from Simcoe Street! Today, we're continuing to share the biographies and headshots of our Kid from Simcoe Street behind the scenes team. Everyone involved in this production has been passionate about bringing the pages of James Clarke's memoir to life on stage, and we’re excited to share their names, faces and stories with you.![]()
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PLAYWRIGHT | David Francis Clarke: David Clarke, co-writer of The Kid from Simcoe Street, and one of James Clarke’s grandchildren, is a writer who has contributed to Excalibur and several online publication platforms. One of his short films, Ouroboros, received eight international awards.![]()
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PLAYWRIGHT | Ed Schroeter: Ed is grateful to Trent Valley Archives Theatre (TVAT) for the opportunity to bring The Kid from Simcoe Street to life on stage, a project 14 years in the making. He would like to thank Suzanne Schroeter for her encouragement and his longtime friend Gerry McBride for co-writing The Kid from Simcoe Street with him. He would also like to thank David Francis Clarke for joining the writing team and providing invaluable editing insight. ![]()
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PLAYWRIGHT | Gerry McBride: Gerry is excited to be involved in his third production with Trent Valley Archives Theatre. He has thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with so many talented people to help bring The Kid from Simcoe Street to the stage. Since retiring as an elementary school teacher, Gerry has also been involved in productions with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and the Electric City Players.![]()
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See David, Ed and Gerry's efforts come to life in The Kid from Simcoe Street at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on June 4 and 5 at 7:30pm and June 6 and 7 at 2pm! Tickets are on sale now at: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526