Event Details - Beneath the Smoke

Beneath the Smoke is a theatrical production set to debut in October 2025 to mark the bicentennial of one of Canada’s most devastating natural disasters. The play dramatizes the events of October 1825, when a massive wildfire scorched six thousand square miles of land in New Brunswick, claiming around 160 lives and leaving widespread destruction. It will explore the personal stories of survival, loss, and resilience in the face of tragedy, while reflecting on the larger impact of the fire on the local community.

The narrative unfolds in three acts. The play highlights themes of cooperation, human resilience, and moral reflection. It delves into spiritual and existential questions raised by such a disaster, exemplified by the discovery of the "Devil’s Footprint." By drawing on both historical events and local folklore, the production will offer a poignant and powerful commemoration of the Miramichi Fire, honoring both its tragedy and the resilience of the people who rebuilt from its ashes.