I’m suggesting you forget Main street, Disneyland; go to Barkerville. I had no idea this gold rush town in the Cariboo, would not only be entertaining, but informative as well.
To say that we were thrilled with our recent visit there would be putting it mildly. Rob and I have traveled a lot, but not so much in the northern part of British Columbia. When friends invited us to go with them to Barkerville, 751.6 km. or 467 miles north-west of Vancouver, we thought we’d try it as we’d heard about its fabulous theatre featuring plays and music from years gone by.
Amy Newman, Ben Purych, Nick Preston, and Patrice Bowler
Dave Brown and J.P. Wilson playing Mr. Grimsby and Mr. Cruikshank of the Sheepskin Claim
What we found was more than a theatre with a classic stage.
There were actors everywhere, in the streets and inside buildings, telling stories with accents reflective of the characters and historical period they were commenting upon.
We loved that they added to the authentic feel of the place.
From left to right: Michelle Lieffertz as Miss Isabella Irvine, Stu Callwood as Mr. Charles Hankin, Andrew Hamilton as Billy Barker and Danette Boucher as Florence Wilson
Having played a few characters in my time, I appreciated how much work goes into the monologues and dialogues that these fabulous actors have created.
We were told that many had written their own scripts. Dave Brown has been playing his role for over twenty years.
These four in the photo to the right were preparing to re-enact a photography session on the street. Of course they had an argument which was a lot of fun for the spectators.
Barkerville’s buildings date back to 1868, when 90 buildings were rebuilt in six weeks after a fire gutted the town.
The road down the center of this gold rush 
town is a dirt road. If it’s dry, it’s dusty; if it’s rainy, it’s wet and muddy.
And if you take the stagecoach ride, you’ll get the sense you’re traveling back in time.
You can almost hear the conversations that once took place as you ride by the pioneer houses, hotels, laundry and blacksmith shop.
Rob and I about to take a ride around Barkerville
I knew that Barkerville was born out of the gold rush. I didn’t know that it had occurred after the California one. At the time of that state’s gold fever, lawlessness had taken such hold that those who wanted to find riches of their own decided to travel north when they heard of the great finds on the rivers and creeks in the Cariboo.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Here, the British law was in place so there was a greater chance if a miner found gold, he could make a claim that wouldn’t be stolen out from under him. That didn’t mean it was easy. There were still times when he had to guard that piece of land with his life until it was registered in his name. And if there were disputes, there was Judge Begbie, known as the hanging judge, to settle them.
Being a writer, I was fascinated by the stories I heard about this dramatic part of Canada’s history or should I say prehistory as this period was before British Columbia became part of Canada. Interestingly enough, it also attracted many black Americans who didn’t feel safe with the civil war raging in the land and threatening to move west.
I became so intrigued by all the tales that I bought two books, written by the Richard Thomas Wright, who produces the shows at the Theatre Royal. His wife Amy Newman is one of the stars.
Author Richard Thomas Wright
He wrote Overlanders, the epic cross-Canada treks for gold, 1858-1862 and Barkerville and the Cariboo Goldfields.
Gentlemen Matt, Dustin Allen and Geron
A bonus on our trip was the party that followed the opening stage performances of this season at the Theatre Royal. At the celebration, many of the cast and staff on site came dressed for the occasion.
If you’re planning a trip to British Columbia, I highly recommend you take in Barkerville. You won’t be disappointed. They get repeat visitors and a number of the players in town have been doing it for decades and have their children joining in and staying when they mature. If that isn’t a testament to the lure of the place, I don’t know what is.
Looks like loads of fun! I bet movies are filmed there. There’s a similar town in Colorado. We took the kids on the Silverton/Durango narrow gauge railroad.
I don’t know about movies, Julia, but if they haven’t been, they should be filmed there. Didn’t know about Colorado or the railroad. So many neat places out there. Went to Deadwood, South Dakota decades ago. Had a great cemetery there as well as a cute town and railroad. But this place is prettified compared to Barkerville, which again seems so authentic.
I live in Quesnel, the town just outside of Barkerville, I’ve never heard of a movie filmed there but it would be pretty cool! I do know there was an episode of Mantracker filmed there but other than that I don’t think so.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Tina. Yes, it would be fabulous to have a movie filmed there. Wonder why Barkerville has never been used as a location. We loved it so much. We were surprised because I expected it to be way more commercial and less authentic than it was. I guess I was used to western towns in USA which have a completely different feel.
The bearded actor who’s name you wished you knew is Dave Brown. 🙂
Thanks, Andrea. He was wonderful! And how about the other one? Do you know his name? They had great chemistry.
Wonderful to have such a fascinating and rich history readily at hand in our own back yard.
I know, huh? Again, can’t believe it’s taken me this long. It was such a treat. We couldn’t get to all the offerings. There were so many tantalizing stories going on played by the wonderful actors of Barkerville. I’d love to return.
The actor with Dave Brown is J.P. Winslow, also a musician in his own right! (And, in the photo below, the actor playing Billy Barker is Andrew Hamilton, with Danette Boucher playing Miss Florence Wilson) 🙂
Thanks, Michelle for commenting. I’ll edit my post and put that in.
Thanks for your wonderful comments about our town, Diana! We appreciate you taking the time to get our names for the photos. BTW: In the photo with Danette Boucher and Andrew Hamilton are Michelle Lieffertz as Miss Isabella Irvine (who became Isabella Hodgkinson and is buried in the Barkerville cemetery) and Stu Cawood as Mr. Charles Hankin, who was one of Billy Barker’s partners. The 3 gents in the final photo are Matt, Dustin Allen and Geron (sorry, I do not know two of the last names; perhaps someone else can chime in here…)
You are so welcome, Amy. You were fabulous in the shows we saw. Thanks for mentioning the names. I’ll update the photo information. Hope you have a fabulous summer and good crowds.
I have a video from 1994 of Mr Grimsby (Dave Brown) and another actor trying to sell shares to a group of investors (the audience). It was one of the funniest things I’d seen in a long time and brought back great memories! I thought Mr Grimsby was so good I Googled for Barkerville Actors and found Dave and then this blog. I’m very surprised to hear that he’s still there trying to sell shares in his failing mine operation. Haha.
Good times!
Joanna, so sorry it’s taken me awhile to get back to you. I didn’t get the notice that you had left a comment. But now that I found it, I want to thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts. And yes, good times!