The Miraculous (After) Life of Isidro, Patron Saint of Farmers

A story based on legends of Isidro, a generous farm labourer who lived in Spain in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many miracles were attributed to him, both during and after his life. It is told that he brought water to dry land and fed the hungry, miracles that are relevant today.

For children and their families.

45 minute presentation.

Puppet play performed by 3 people.

A miniature operetta told with paper theatre by three musicians

Performed at Farmers’ Markets and Galleries in the Shuswap/North Okanagan, summer of 2022.

Directed by Cathy Stubington

Designed by Molly March and  Cathy Stubington

Performed by Sarah May Redmond, Aidan Sparks, and Christie Watson 

Created by Varrick Grimes, Isabelle Kirouac, Willoughby Arevalo, Sara May Redmond, Thomas Conlin Jones, Molly March, Forrest Shuster, Rene Hugo, Cathy Stubington, Jasmin Wright, Elishka Hugo Rucka, Aura Pearl, Xyla Joy. Production assistants Laura MacDonald, Aradana Cardiff-Miller, Jordana Natale.

Designs inspired by Les Tres Riches Heures de Jean duc de Berry, medieval Book of Hours

Artistic Process

This project evolved during the Covid Pandemic. We were all set to hold a creation session outdoors of Curly Willow Farm but had to cancel it. After attending a workshop online with “Great Small Works”, we realized that we could effectively use the medium of Paper Theatre on the Zoom platform. So, from 9 different locations, the artists each created and shared a scene from the Life and Afterlife of San Isidro, in paper theatre. This version (directed by Varrick Grimes) was presented at an online conference of B.C. SeedSavers. When it were able to perform it live, we decided to keep with the Paper Theatre medium, and Molly and Cathy rebuilt the scenes based on the workshop version. It was amazing to experience such a range of emotions just from watching flat paper figures. Songs were adaptations of early medieval tunes from Europe.