In the 1930s, four friends set out to prove to Canada that hockey isn’t just a sport for men. This spring, their glory will reemerge on stage at Gateway Theatre.
Preston Rivulettes women’s hockey team, based in Ontario, is a legend of Canadian history. Between 1930 and 1940, the team played an estimated 350 games and lost only two and tied three, and were the winners of the Bobby Rosenfeld Trophy for the entire decade.
Gateway’s upcoming show Glory will showcase the journey the girls underwent, despite discrimination, prejudice, the Great Depression and pre-war fears.
“The reason this story is so important is because they are essentially the most successful Canadian hockey team in history,” said Kate Dion-Richard, who was born and raised in Richmond and plays one of the major players.
“And the fact that they were women at that time. Especially in the early 1930s, there were not a lot of women hockey teams, there was a real sense that women don’t play hockey.”
Women were only allowed on the ice when the male players didn’t need it, so they constantly had to wait and oftentimes women had to play really early in the morning or really late at night.
But women did start playing in Canada, and they formed their own leagues, received more and more attention and recognition for being so good, and people would come out to watch their games even more than the men’s games.
“Unfortunately it’s very much what women are still going through today, still fighting for equality, still fighting for respect, not just in athletics but in all industries,” said Dion-Richard.
“What these women did in creating this lead and being this good was that they really paved the way for women now.”
The play, written and choreographed by Tracey Power and directed by James MacDonald, covers a period of seven years and has seven hockey games within the show.
“Our sound designer created this style of music to incorporate the swing music with modern electronic styles, and a style of dance that’s hockey and swing dance at once. It’s so cool and we’ve never done something like this before,” said Dion-Richard.
Taking place before the war starts, she said the play is another aspect of what that war means to Canadians.
“For example, my character is Jewish, and shows the effect of the war on me...It’s just a whole other layer Tracy has written in. It’s just so beautifully heartbreaking.”
Dion-Richard said she hopes by watching the show, audiences will know more about the history of Canadian women’s hockey and be inspired by the girls’ stories.
“I hope young girls who come and watch can feel that we have a place within athletics, and men can come and really respect and just learn Canadian history so we can improve ourselves so we can learn from our mistakes – for a good cycle.”
For more information, check http://www.gatewaytheatre.com/.
