The year is 1898. The Laurier government was elected and that was a sea change in Canadian politics. He replaced the late Sir John A. MacDonald’s (1815 – 1891) party. Canada’s first prime minister had managed Canadian politics, and was in power most years, from the founding of Canada in 1867 to 1891, when he passed away. His party stumbled along to 1898.
Laurier was quick to make change; a lot of change. Politics in that era were dominated, perhaps overwhelmed, by ‘the rail road’. One other issue, however, had the capacity to grab the head lines. That was who should vote. The contenders included a range of interests, such the women, who were noisy and aggressive (not with standing the Victorian demeanor), and, on the west coast, the Chinese, who were civil and courteous.
These interests, the rail road, the female franchise and the Chinese franchise, collided on Canada’s west coast in the 1890’s. The play is a fictional resolution of a stormy cauldron of interests, attempted by the proprietor and politically ambitious regulars of the local tavern.
Keywords: female franchise, Chinese franchise, Victorian era, municipal politics, litigation, male/female conflict, municipal elections, history of west coast Canada
Genre: Comedic Drama, Historical
Acts: 1
Run time: 60 minutes
Suitable for students 14+
Cast size: 10 actors
Male roles: 5
Female roles: 5
Casting note: Duplication of roles at scene 10.