Top Ten Lessons learned from Fringe Festival Tour (2024)
Fringe Festival Performances for july & august, 2024 - it's a wrap!
Upcoming performances listed below.
Trailer for "rethinking good intentions": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHIia6xRzLM
Playbill for performances of "Rethinking Good Intentions":
About the plays
RETHINKING GOOD INTENTIONS (Written and Performed by Nancy Edwards)
A compelling account, told by Nancy, a Canadian community health nurse who volunteered with CUSO (now CUSO International). She takes us to the rural villages of Sierra Leone in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Village experiences rattled her cultural preconceptions, provoked her notions of social privilege, and forever deepened her global connections. Her good intentions are transformed by stories that bridge human understanding. This play is based on a portion of Nancy’s memoir: Not One, Not Even One: A Memoir of Life-Altering Experiences in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
BRINGING VILLAGERS' VOICES TO LIFE: STORIES FROM SIERRA LEONE (Co-written and co-performed by Nancy Edwards and Dauda Mansaray)
Two storytellers weave together their experiences of rural life in Sierra Leone, West Africa, giving voice to villagers. They engage audiences through narrative, spoken word poetry, and song; sharing complementary yet contrasting perspectives on village life from Sierra Leone’s post-independence and civil war periods. Compelling and powerful stories reveal the ancestral roots of knowledge and oral traditions; the strengths of family, community, and social connections; the hardships of poverty and child labour; and the trauma and injustice of civil war. Vivid and heartfelt stories are sprinkled with hopefulness and humour. Their insider and outsider cultural perspectives intersect as they share the bonds of our common humanity, and reconcile their cultural dislocation from Sierra Leone, a country they both love.
A compelling account, told by Nancy, a Canadian community health nurse who volunteered with CUSO (now CUSO International). She takes us to the rural villages of Sierra Leone in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Village experiences rattled her cultural preconceptions, provoked her notions of social privilege, and forever deepened her global connections. Her good intentions are transformed by stories that bridge human understanding. This play is based on a portion of Nancy’s memoir: Not One, Not Even One: A Memoir of Life-Altering Experiences in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
BRINGING VILLAGERS' VOICES TO LIFE: STORIES FROM SIERRA LEONE (Co-written and co-performed by Nancy Edwards and Dauda Mansaray)
Two storytellers weave together their experiences of rural life in Sierra Leone, West Africa, giving voice to villagers. They engage audiences through narrative, spoken word poetry, and song; sharing complementary yet contrasting perspectives on village life from Sierra Leone’s post-independence and civil war periods. Compelling and powerful stories reveal the ancestral roots of knowledge and oral traditions; the strengths of family, community, and social connections; the hardships of poverty and child labour; and the trauma and injustice of civil war. Vivid and heartfelt stories are sprinkled with hopefulness and humour. Their insider and outsider cultural perspectives intersect as they share the bonds of our common humanity, and reconcile their cultural dislocation from Sierra Leone, a country they both love.
Completed Performances of rethinking good intentions (2024)
February 6th : Orleans Writing Group, Ottawa Public Library (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
March 18th: Home concert, Ottawa (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
March 24th: Baha'i Cultural Centre, Ottawa (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
April 30th: Stephen Lewis Foundation Grannies to Grannies Group, Abbotsford, B.C. (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
May 16th: Memoir writing group, (Ontario and B.C.) (invitational, virtual) (Workshop)
May 26th: Perley Health, Ottawa (invitational, in-person)
June 6th: Navan Book Club, Ontario (invitational, home concert, in-person)
June 6th: Canadian Federation of University Women, Ottawa Chapter Writing Group, Ottawa (invitational, home concert, in-person)
June 8th: Home concert for winners of silent auction (Canadian Federation of University Women, Ottawa) (invitational, in-person)
June 12th: Stephen Lewis Foundation Grannies to Grannies Group, Penticton, B.C. (invitational, virtual)
July 6th and 20th: Buxton Fringe Festival, England (2 virtual live performances)
August 8th-11th: Guelph (Ontario) Fringe Festival (3 in-person performances). CBC Kitchener media interview with Craig Norris available here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-104-the-morning-edition-k-w/clip/16086767-rethinking-good-intentions-solo-show-nancy-edwards-runs
August 13th-17th: London (Ontario) Fringe Festival (6 in-person performances)
August 20th: Outdoor home concert Ottawa (invitational, in-person)
August 21st-25th, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Fringe North (pre-recorded, virtual on demand performance). Podcast interview available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3nqPMOEI54
August 29th-September 1st, Halifax (Nova Scotia) Fringe Festival (4 in-person performances)
September 29th: Metropolitan United Church, Queen Street East, Toronto (in-person performance followed by Q & A). Video recording available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLAiBVTEqy4
October 3rd: University of Windsor, hosted by Faculty of Nursing at SoCA Armouries Performance Hall (in-person performance followed by Q & A). CBC media interview available here: https://www.tiktok.com/@josiahnrs/video/7421405753887608069
October 7th: University of Toronto, Centre for Global Health (in-person performance at Alumni Hall (Victoria College) followed by discussants' commentary). Follow-up interview by one of the discussants posted here: https://mailchi.mp/cc967fe5ca24/centre-for-global-health-newsletter-december-2024.
October 8th: York University, co-sponsored event with the Faculty of Health, the School of Global Health, and the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas. (In-person performance followed by discussants' commentary). Recap and recording of event available here:
https://www.yorku.ca/dighr/recap-rethinking-good-intentions-storytelling-and-epistemic-humility-as-critical-interventions-in-global-health/
December 16th: One World Grannies Ottawa and Gatineau, Stephen Lewis Foundation (in-person, invitational at Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, Ottawa followed by Q & A)
March 18th: Home concert, Ottawa (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
March 24th: Baha'i Cultural Centre, Ottawa (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
April 30th: Stephen Lewis Foundation Grannies to Grannies Group, Abbotsford, B.C. (invitational, in-person) (Workshop)
May 16th: Memoir writing group, (Ontario and B.C.) (invitational, virtual) (Workshop)
May 26th: Perley Health, Ottawa (invitational, in-person)
June 6th: Navan Book Club, Ontario (invitational, home concert, in-person)
June 6th: Canadian Federation of University Women, Ottawa Chapter Writing Group, Ottawa (invitational, home concert, in-person)
June 8th: Home concert for winners of silent auction (Canadian Federation of University Women, Ottawa) (invitational, in-person)
June 12th: Stephen Lewis Foundation Grannies to Grannies Group, Penticton, B.C. (invitational, virtual)
July 6th and 20th: Buxton Fringe Festival, England (2 virtual live performances)
August 8th-11th: Guelph (Ontario) Fringe Festival (3 in-person performances). CBC Kitchener media interview with Craig Norris available here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-104-the-morning-edition-k-w/clip/16086767-rethinking-good-intentions-solo-show-nancy-edwards-runs
August 13th-17th: London (Ontario) Fringe Festival (6 in-person performances)
August 20th: Outdoor home concert Ottawa (invitational, in-person)
August 21st-25th, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Fringe North (pre-recorded, virtual on demand performance). Podcast interview available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3nqPMOEI54
August 29th-September 1st, Halifax (Nova Scotia) Fringe Festival (4 in-person performances)
September 29th: Metropolitan United Church, Queen Street East, Toronto (in-person performance followed by Q & A). Video recording available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLAiBVTEqy4
October 3rd: University of Windsor, hosted by Faculty of Nursing at SoCA Armouries Performance Hall (in-person performance followed by Q & A). CBC media interview available here: https://www.tiktok.com/@josiahnrs/video/7421405753887608069
October 7th: University of Toronto, Centre for Global Health (in-person performance at Alumni Hall (Victoria College) followed by discussants' commentary). Follow-up interview by one of the discussants posted here: https://mailchi.mp/cc967fe5ca24/centre-for-global-health-newsletter-december-2024.
October 8th: York University, co-sponsored event with the Faculty of Health, the School of Global Health, and the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas. (In-person performance followed by discussants' commentary). Recap and recording of event available here:
https://www.yorku.ca/dighr/recap-rethinking-good-intentions-storytelling-and-epistemic-humility-as-critical-interventions-in-global-health/
December 16th: One World Grannies Ottawa and Gatineau, Stephen Lewis Foundation (in-person, invitational at Rockcliffe Park Community Centre, Ottawa followed by Q & A)
Completed performances of playS (2025)
January 12th: Bringing Villagers' Voices to Life: Stories from Sierra Leone. Nancy Edwards and Dauda Mansaray. Ottawa Story Tellers Signature Series. Arts Court, Daly Street, Ottawa. CBC Radio Interview January 8th, 2025: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-92-all-in-a-day/clip/16119735-two-storytellers-together-share-experiences-rural-life-sierra
STAY POSTED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES
Please contact me ([email protected]) if you are interested in booking a performance.
STAY POSTED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES
Please contact me ([email protected]) if you are interested in booking a performance.
What audiences are saying about "Rethinking good intentions"
"Impressive, very powerful, very emotional to me."
"Engaging, innovative, moving, funny and informative in a lasting way. Wonderful work! I cried a few times, tears of joy when you told us how the Mende women became responsible to decide their kids could be vaccinated."
"Touching at end!!"
"Completely positive, so many worthwhile messages! Sincere messages. Bravo, Nancy!"
"I was drawn in from the start – could identify with the different stages and circumstances in the stories."
"Enjoyable, informative, educational. The story was very well done, great writing."
"Every emotion under the Mende sun. You came through so brilliantly."
"Beautifully written – pathos, humour, detail, compassion, self-awareness."
"Outstanding, moving. Mix of all emotions, the time flew by. Learned a lot."
"Nancy, you brought me there with you."
"Awesome, amazing, so powerful."
"Poignant, funny, rich with culture and conveyance of natural environment, language."
"Inspired, reminded me of my own experiences in Africa."
"Tears as the memories flooded back."
"Loved it. So relatable."
"Captivating."
"Top notch."
"Riveting story presented with heartfelt words and actions, transporting us to Sierra Leone."
"Engaging, innovative, moving, funny and informative in a lasting way. Wonderful work! I cried a few times, tears of joy when you told us how the Mende women became responsible to decide their kids could be vaccinated."
"Touching at end!!"
"Completely positive, so many worthwhile messages! Sincere messages. Bravo, Nancy!"
"I was drawn in from the start – could identify with the different stages and circumstances in the stories."
"Enjoyable, informative, educational. The story was very well done, great writing."
"Every emotion under the Mende sun. You came through so brilliantly."
"Beautifully written – pathos, humour, detail, compassion, self-awareness."
"Outstanding, moving. Mix of all emotions, the time flew by. Learned a lot."
"Nancy, you brought me there with you."
"Awesome, amazing, so powerful."
"Poignant, funny, rich with culture and conveyance of natural environment, language."
"Inspired, reminded me of my own experiences in Africa."
"Tears as the memories flooded back."
"Loved it. So relatable."
"Captivating."
"Top notch."
"Riveting story presented with heartfelt words and actions, transporting us to Sierra Leone."
What audiences are saying about "Bringing Villagers' Voices to Life: Stories from sierra Leone"
"Fabulous."
"Great show."
"Excellent and interesting story-telling."
"Informative and touching. Having two story-tellers made it very lively."
"I love the way your and Dauda's stories were woven together - chronologically and thematically. Congratulations."
"Such a fine show. The combination of your and Dauda’s stories worked so perfectly together, clarifying and amplifying each other."
"Great show."
"Excellent and interesting story-telling."
"Informative and touching. Having two story-tellers made it very lively."
"I love the way your and Dauda's stories were woven together - chronologically and thematically. Congratulations."
"Such a fine show. The combination of your and Dauda’s stories worked so perfectly together, clarifying and amplifying each other."
REVIEWS
London Fringe Festival August 13th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
Rethinking Good Intentions is Nancy Edwards’ own story of her time as a teaching nurse in the small village of Serabu in the West African country of Sierra Leone. Like the breakthrough in her understanding of cultural divides and the bridges that can connect us, she uses the arts to share her experience. The first person recounting of her tale places the listener within the setting, using evocative imagery, and provides an understanding of the tensions she felt as the protagonist. Dr. Edwards’ low key, but evocative delivery, uses simple techniques to set and augment the mood as needed, and is supported by projected photographs that bring home the reality of the situation. While these likely facilitated her transition from lecturer to performer, the evening is all storytelling. She succeeds in encapsulating the arc of her journey from “one who didn’t know what she didn’t know” to one who uses the arts in the way they have been used for generations; to share and enlighten.
Review by Rick, Community Member
Buxton Fringe Festival July 6th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
This online performance by Canadian writer and former nurse Nancy Edwards takes us to the Sierra Leone of 1980. Nancy spent 5 years based at Serabu Hospital living on the compound itself. Her new home is far removed, physically, culturally and socially from her native Canada, and Nancy is so unsure of her place in this primitive world of village chiefs, rainforests, abundant wildlife and witch hunters that she cannot even relay observations and experiences to her own parents when she first arrives.
A change of her original role upon arrival at the hospital reduces Nancy's confidence in herself whilst her Canadian boldness of speech then leads her into a cultural faux pas with a highly regarded village chief. And so begins Nancy's journey in learning how to live and work successfully alongside her colleagues and patients in a country where life is so uncertain that parents give their children names which mean "let this one live".
Interspersed with photographs to provide scene breaks and with accompanying music from the region which was recorded by Nancy herself, she takes us with ease and authenticity to the villages where she worked. Here, the Granny midwives and (often) despairing mothers of an impoverished country where infant mortality is high and medical help is extremely basic and very limited provide the backdrop.
This is a story about people of different cultures experiencing the rocky road of life together and whilst seeming to be far removed from each other, as the ending of this piece of theatre shows, unexpected connections from the past can come to greet us.
In an hour, Nancy paints for her audience a colourful canvas of her reflections upon her 5 years of living in Sierra Leone with clarity and emotion whilst keeping our interest and our desire to hear more. A praiseworthy and thought-provoking production.
Nancy's next live performance online is on the 20th July from 5pm to 6pm where a Q&A session will also be offered.
Review by Julie Alexander
University of Toronto, Centre for Global Health, October 7th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
Last October, I was a panelist for Nancy Edwards' compelling solo play, "Rethinking Good Intentions." It was my first time experiencing a solo performance, and I was deeply moved by Nancy's powerful portrayal of her lived experiences as a nurse in Sierra Leone.
Her ability to use theatre as a medium to highlight pressing public health issues was genuinely inspiring. I was particularly intrigued by how she brought an "outsider" perspective to culture and used the arts to engage audiences in critical global health conversations.
The play captivated me emotionally and intellectually, and I was fortunate to interview Nancy afterward to explore the intersection of art and public health further. This experience reinforced the transformative potential of creative approaches in fostering dialogue around global health challenges.
A heartfelt thank you to Nancy for her incredible performance and to the Centre for Global Health at Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto for providing me the opportunity to participate in this enriching event. Contributing to the discussion and seeing storytelling's role in driving social impact was an honour.
Feel free to take a look at the article here: https://lnkd.in/dkESGNSh
Review posted by Diana Kaliza on Linked In (January, 2025)
REVIEWS
London Fringe Festival August 13th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
Rethinking Good Intentions is Nancy Edwards’ own story of her time as a teaching nurse in the small village of Serabu in the West African country of Sierra Leone. Like the breakthrough in her understanding of cultural divides and the bridges that can connect us, she uses the arts to share her experience. The first person recounting of her tale places the listener within the setting, using evocative imagery, and provides an understanding of the tensions she felt as the protagonist. Dr. Edwards’ low key, but evocative delivery, uses simple techniques to set and augment the mood as needed, and is supported by projected photographs that bring home the reality of the situation. While these likely facilitated her transition from lecturer to performer, the evening is all storytelling. She succeeds in encapsulating the arc of her journey from “one who didn’t know what she didn’t know” to one who uses the arts in the way they have been used for generations; to share and enlighten.
Review by Rick, Community Member
Buxton Fringe Festival July 6th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
This online performance by Canadian writer and former nurse Nancy Edwards takes us to the Sierra Leone of 1980. Nancy spent 5 years based at Serabu Hospital living on the compound itself. Her new home is far removed, physically, culturally and socially from her native Canada, and Nancy is so unsure of her place in this primitive world of village chiefs, rainforests, abundant wildlife and witch hunters that she cannot even relay observations and experiences to her own parents when she first arrives.
A change of her original role upon arrival at the hospital reduces Nancy's confidence in herself whilst her Canadian boldness of speech then leads her into a cultural faux pas with a highly regarded village chief. And so begins Nancy's journey in learning how to live and work successfully alongside her colleagues and patients in a country where life is so uncertain that parents give their children names which mean "let this one live".
Interspersed with photographs to provide scene breaks and with accompanying music from the region which was recorded by Nancy herself, she takes us with ease and authenticity to the villages where she worked. Here, the Granny midwives and (often) despairing mothers of an impoverished country where infant mortality is high and medical help is extremely basic and very limited provide the backdrop.
This is a story about people of different cultures experiencing the rocky road of life together and whilst seeming to be far removed from each other, as the ending of this piece of theatre shows, unexpected connections from the past can come to greet us.
In an hour, Nancy paints for her audience a colourful canvas of her reflections upon her 5 years of living in Sierra Leone with clarity and emotion whilst keeping our interest and our desire to hear more. A praiseworthy and thought-provoking production.
Nancy's next live performance online is on the 20th July from 5pm to 6pm where a Q&A session will also be offered.
Review by Julie Alexander
University of Toronto, Centre for Global Health, October 7th, 2024 Performance of Rethinking Good Intentions
Last October, I was a panelist for Nancy Edwards' compelling solo play, "Rethinking Good Intentions." It was my first time experiencing a solo performance, and I was deeply moved by Nancy's powerful portrayal of her lived experiences as a nurse in Sierra Leone.
Her ability to use theatre as a medium to highlight pressing public health issues was genuinely inspiring. I was particularly intrigued by how she brought an "outsider" perspective to culture and used the arts to engage audiences in critical global health conversations.
The play captivated me emotionally and intellectually, and I was fortunate to interview Nancy afterward to explore the intersection of art and public health further. This experience reinforced the transformative potential of creative approaches in fostering dialogue around global health challenges.
A heartfelt thank you to Nancy for her incredible performance and to the Centre for Global Health at Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto for providing me the opportunity to participate in this enriching event. Contributing to the discussion and seeing storytelling's role in driving social impact was an honour.
Feel free to take a look at the article here: https://lnkd.in/dkESGNSh
Review posted by Diana Kaliza on Linked In (January, 2025)
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 First workshop of play at Orleans Public Library (February, 2024). Flying Pigeon bicycles' fiasco in the Transportation Bottlenecks scene.
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Performance at Perley Health, May, 2024. Opening scene and introduction of Sister Hilary Lyons, my supervisor and mentor when I worked at Serabu Hospital, Sierra Leone.
On stage at Perley Health (top left in gallery display of photos) and virtual performances from my home theatre for Buxton (England) Fringe Festival and Fringe North.
August, 2024 was a busy month performing Rethinking Good Intentions in Guelph, London, Ottawa, and Halifax.
Photo Gallery Above:
Upper left: my brother and his family came to see my performance at Guelph Fringe. So pleased they were able to join.
Upper middle and right: backstage at Guelph Fringe. Joshua provided great tech support. Tech support by Shaun in London (not shown in photos) was also terrific.
Bottom left - so much fun to meet with McMaster colleagues who came to Guelph Fringe performance.
Bottom middle and right: first outdoor concert in Ottawa. Big thanks to Heidi for organizing.
Photo Gallery Below:
Upper left and middle - First St. Andrew's United Church - my performance location at London Fringe Festival.
Upper right - Honoured to have May-Marie Duwai Sowa, Special Envoy, International Relations, Trade, and Investment representing the Government of Sierra Leone in Canada attend my performance in Guelph with her family.
Lower left - Holding my simple props - gara cloth and country cloth from Sierra Leone in Guelph's Silence Sound Theatre.
Lower middle - Halifax Public Gardens where I rehearsed my script every morning while enjoying the magnificent gardens.
Lower right - Brenda, another super tech who was right on cue with my sound and light effects - Thank you!
Very pleased to have the opportunity to perform at several venues in Ontario (fall, 2024). First up was the Metropolitan United Church in Toronto at the end of September. It was an inspiring venue. I thank Reverend Jim Harbell and the congregation for making me feel so welcome. Performances in three academic settings followed in October: University of Windsor, University of Toronto, and York University. Thanks to all those who assisted with logistics and organization at each site. I really appreciated having discussants at University of Toronto and York University who offered reflections and commentary on Rethinking Good Intentions after my performances. A few photos from these events shown below.
Top left, middle and right: outside Metropolitan United Church in Toronto and performance in the church.
Bottom left: Armouries building where my performance took place at U Windsor.
Bottom middle: Discussants speaking after my performance at University of Toronto.
Bottom right: Performance venue at York University.
Top left, middle and right: outside Metropolitan United Church in Toronto and performance in the church.
Bottom left: Armouries building where my performance took place at U Windsor.
Bottom middle: Discussants speaking after my performance at University of Toronto.
Bottom right: Performance venue at York University.
Thanks to One World Grannies in Ottawa for inviting me to perform Rethinking Good Intentions at their December, 2024 holiday luncheon. I enjoyed meeting some of the "grannies" in the Ottawa-Gatineau area who contribute many hours of volunteer time to the grandmothers-to-grandmothers campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I was honoured to be introduced by Peggy Edwards, a colleague who has made many outstanding contributions to the field of health promotion.
PHOTOS FROM REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE OF "Bringing villagers' voices to life: stories from Sierra Leone"
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Below: Dauda Mansaray and I rehearsing with Jacqui Du Toit (our amazing dramaturg) for our story-telling performance at Arts Court Theatre in Ottawa, January 12th, 2025. We were so pleased to have access to Jacqui's studio, The Origin Arts and Community Centre, for several rehearsals. It's a warm and welcoming space.
Black Box studio in Arts Court was our performance location. The room was filled by a welcoming audience. |
