THE FUGITIVES: RIDGE

Often called the “battle that made Canada,” Vimy Ridge resulted in over 10,000 Canadian casualties. Through direct storytelling, verbatim theatre, and live music, Brendan McLeod examines misconceptions and varying perspectives around the battle, while drawing parallels to other formative events in our nation’s past. Featuring inventive musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs, Ridge probes difficult yet necessary questions about how and why we grieve. A vivid, kinetic ride through history, as well as an intimate, personal examination of our connection to the past, Ridge is a visceral work that passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives.

• “In my life, I have never seen a piece of theatre that addresses the realities of war in a way that seems so clear-eyed to me. So I am deeply grateful to Ridge. There’s sorrow and anger in this show, but also beauty, relief, and genuine honour in its honesty.” — Colin Thomas, Fresh Sheet
• “Serves to give the sacrifices of those who served and died a human dimension beyond mythology.” — Vancouver Sun
• “A more sensitive, thoughtful, deeply personal look at what really went on at Vimy is hard to imagine. ” — Jo Ledingham, On the Scene
• “Riveting…The way history was meant to be told.” — Entertainment Vancouver

THE FUGITIVES: A Canadian folk staple, The Fugitives were formed in 2005 and are releasing their 7th album in 2026. They’ve been nominated for a JUNO, as well as 7 Canadian Folk Music Awards, including Best Vocal Group, Best Ensemble, and Best Songwriter. Having toured heavily across Canada, the UK, and the EU for two decades, they’ve been awarded the Best Folk Album of the Year by the German Music Critics’ Association, performed at Glastonbury, and most major folk festivals across Canada. They’ve also branched out into theatre with their show, Ridge, which was a 2020 Globe & Mail “Top Arts Pick of the Year” and has toured to 50 theatres across Canada. They have earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship.