Opera Laurier Presents: The Llandovery Castle

Feb. 24, 2026

Feb. 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

The Llandovery Castle

Stephanie Martin, composer
Paul Ciufo, librettist

Synopsis

The Llandovery Castle is a new Canadian opera by composer by Stephanie Martin and librettist Paul Ciufo, created as an act of remembrance to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the hospital ship Llandovery Castle on June 27, 1918.

The opera focusses on the lives and service of 14 Canadian Nursing Sisters who died in the tragedy. The calm confidence, skill and selflessness of Canadian nurses during the Great War stand in stark contrast to the chaos and violence that surrounded them. From the horrors inflicted by inhuman trench warfare, the Sisters offered healing and compassion to soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

The Llandovery Castle brings to life an important an important but little-known part of Canadian history. It is a beautifully-expressed tribute to Canadian nurses in particular, and healers in general who for millennia have put themselves in harm's way to serve their communities and humankind.

More information: https://www.llandoverycastle.ca/

Cast

Cast shown in order of Wednesday and Friday/Thursday and Saturday

(Kate) Nurse Minnie Katherine Gallaher: Meghan Mair / Nicole Hamilton
(Bird) Nurse Rena Mclean: Naomi Schlegel / Susan Taylor
(Pearl) Matron Margaret Marjory ‘Pearl’ Fraser: Lucy Gill / Amanda Jeffreys / Amye Buchan
(Christina) Nurse Christina Campbell: Em Shepherd / Mackenzie Smith
(Alexina) Nurse Alexina Dussault: Olivia Tremblay
(Nan) Nurse Mary Agnes McKenzie: Amye Buchan / Lucy Gill
Sergeant Knight: Tyler Wilkie / Robert Pereira
Major T. Lyon: Emmanuel Dye
Helmut Brümmer-Patzig: Alexander Muth

Creative Team

Music Director/Conductor: Kate Carver
Stage Director: Mabel Wonnacott
Wardrobe Coordinator: Nicole Del Cul
Set Designer: Carlyn Rahusaar Routledge
Lighting Designer: Lyle Franklin
Technical Director: LJ Sherratt
Stage Manager: Jennifer Schamehorn
Lighting Board Operator: Umer Riaz
Assistant Stage Managers: Madi Chong and Lexy Edwards
*The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).

Props: Emmanuel Dye (head), Lucy Gill
Costumes: Amye Buchan (head), Naomi Schlegel, Em Shepherd, Alexander Muth
Makeup and Hair: Meghan Mair (head), Lucy Gill, Amanda Jeffreys
Technical and Set: Susan Taylor (head), Robert Pereira, Em Shepherd
Marketing and Publicity: Meghan Mair (head), Olivia Tremblay, Tyler Wilkie and Amanda Jeffreys
Surtitles: Nicole Hamilton (head)

Laurier Alumni Orchestra

Veda Hingert-McDonald and Kaitlynn Cook, violins
Elspeth Thomson, viola
Shannon Lai, cello
Jordan Sirvin, double bass
Rachel Roe-Wu, flute
Ann Murdocca, clarinet
Evan Turner, French horn
Cassandra Wolff, percussion

The Alumni Orchestra is made possible by the generous donations from:

Stephanie Martin '84
Kevin Martin & Lynne McNab '85
Shirley Martin
Paul Ciufo

Music Listing

Prologue: Liverpool – Halifax

Scene 1: Toward Halifax
Scene 2: Patzig’s Thrill
Scene 3: Back to England
Scene 4: Bird’s Nightmare and Pearl’s Wisdom
Scene 5: Church Service and “Dog from Algiers”
Scene 6: Kate’s Confession
Scene 7: Matron and Major
Scene 8: The Attack
Scene 9: In Lifeboat #5

Special Thanks

Stephanie Martin for guidance and continued support in shaping this production

Jonathan Vance and History Department at Western University for granting access to their First World War Postcard Project

Terry Robbins for sharing his vast collection of World War I Music

Dylan Gowans and Zev Shoag for their help in constructing the lobby installation