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Exploring a mystery in South Simcoe Theatre’s production of ‘Colours in the Storm’

April 29, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

It was 1917 when Canadian artist Tom Thomson died under unusual circumstances on a lake in Algonquin Park.

Since then, his life and his work have been celebrated, examined, and shrouded in mystery.

The final few years of his life in Algonquin are explored in The South Simcoe Theatre’s musical production of Colours in the Storm.

Written by Jim Betts, produced by Judi Erickson, directed by Jason Silzer, with musical direction by Suu Taylor, Colours in the Storm is an all-Canadian production that features Mark Ross in the title role as Tom Thomson.

As Thomson arrives in Algonquin for the first time, the locals are amused by his seeming lack of experience in a canoe. Coming from the city, he is new to the rustic ways of the small community in Algonquin.

This is a large cast of 12, who create the people in this small village where Thomson has arrived to paint the scenery. As he becomes involved with the locals, some view him as an artistic genius, while others don’t seem to be impressed by a man whose purpose for being there is just to paint.

Over the years, his arrival creates jealousy, intrigue, and a little romance.

Director Jason Silzer explained that casting the roles for this production wasn’t difficult, as many actors are eager to travel a distance to be part of a musical, and there is a large pool of talent in the region.

“I actually read this play several years ago, so I was already familiar with the material,” Silzer explained. “Musicals are chaos in a bottle. There are so many more things happening in a musical. Musicals are also much more collaborative – you’re doing so much more, they tend to be longer, and of course you have all the music and choreography as well as you still have to act your way through it.”

Silzer continued, “For this show we were able to find the talent. I think that people who enjoy doing musical theatre will travel farther for it. There’s something about it that makes them want to go to different places. If the material is good, you will get the people coming out. We did have to do a couple of rounds of auditions, but we found the right people.”

The production features an interesting historical story, with plenty of songs performed by a talented cast.

Rounding out the cast are Hanh Nguyen in the role of Wild Mary, John Palmer as Dr. James MacCullum, Larissa Stevenson as Annie Fraser/Alice Lambert, Taylor Ballantyne as Winnie Trainor, Benjamin Canedo as Larry Dixon, Thomas Faulkner as Mark Robinson, Ann Johnston as Frances McGillvray, Dave Kouhi as Hugh Trainor/Lawren Harris, Rebecca Kratky as Marie Trainor, Aaron Maynard as Martin Bletcher, and Colton McClune as Shannon Fraser,  

Colours in the Storm is on The South Simcoe Theatre stage through to May 10, 2026, on Fridays and Saturdays with a Sunday matinee.

For tickets, visit TheSouthSimcoeTheatre.com.

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