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Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing logo

Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing

Play

Overview

Synopsis

Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing is a tragi-comedy that centers around a group of men on the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve. When the women of the reservation decide to create a female hockey league, all the men of the reservation band together to protest. Seeing the formation of this all-women’s league as another attack of their identity, Dry Lips asks what it means to identify as an Indigenous man. Exploring themes of misogyny, spirituality, and identity, Tomson Highway’s play quickly turns from a farce to a tragedy as the fantasies and phobias of the men are acted out.

This show is a companion piece to Highway’s play, The Rez Sisters (1986). Although primarily written in English, there are interjections of Cree and Ojibway, two Indigenous languages of the Manitoulin Island reservations, where the story takes place.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1989
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Dark Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Between Saturday, February 3, 1990, 11 p.m., and Saturday, February 10, 1990, 11 a.m., Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Cast Size
medium
Ideal For
Mostly Male Cast, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Mature Audiences, Star Vehicle Male, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Characters

Character Portrayals

See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing.

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Monologues

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Key Terms

    Aboriginal refers to the Indigenous peoples of Australia, encompassing diverse nations, languages, and traditions. Aboriginal theatre often highlights oral storytelling, dance, and music as vital cultural expressions. Modern Aboriginal drama explores identity, history, and the impact of colonization.

    A non-literal theatrical scene representing a character's inner thoughts, fears, or desires, often surreal in style.

    Indigenous peoples of Canada, whose oral storytelling and ceremonial practices contribute richly to contemporary theatre.

    Refers to the original peoples of a region; their performance traditions often include ritual, storytelling, and dance.

    Hatred or prejudice against women, a theme often critiqued in feminist and realist plays to explore gender roles and oppression.

    A body of traditional stories involving gods, heroes, and creation myths. Mythology provides inspiration for characters and narratives in global theatre traditions.

Quizzes

Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.