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
- Book
- Tomson Highway
- 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
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Nanabush/Gazelle/ Patsy Pegahmagahbow/Black Lady Halked/Hera Keechigeesik |
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Refers to Indigenous peoples, especially in Australia; their traditions are honored in contemporary World Theatre.
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.
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.