Alanis King’s ‘3 Plays’ book launched and reviewed

November 5, 2015

Ananis King's book '3 Plays' beside her father Cecil King's book 'Balancing Two Worlds'. — Alanis King’s book ‘3 Plays’ beside her father Cecil King’s book ‘Balancing Two Worlds’.

Alanis King signing books at the launch in Ottawa.

By Shelley J. Pearen
Playwright and director Alanis King’s long-awaited book 3 Plays was launched in Ottawa on Sept. 29th 2015. 3 Plays actually is three unique plays interconnected by themes of hope: If Jesus Met Nanabush, The Tommy Prince Story and Born Buffalo.

Ms. King is from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. She became the first Aboriginal woman to graduate from the National Theatre School and has produced, toured, and directed a wide range of plays. She is the daughter of educator and writer Dr. Cecil King, the author of’ ‘Balancing Two Worlds, Jean-Baptiste Assiginack and the Odawa Nation 1768-1866.’

If Jesus Met Nanabush is a humorous and engaging series of encounters between the fun-loving trickster Nanabush and seriously thoughtful Jesus. The first encounter is at the Champions of Champions Pow-Wow on Six Nations. They meet again on a highway, in a tavern, and at a bus station. Their humorous and thought-provoking conversations entertain and inspire.

The Tommy Prince Story reveals the life of Canada’s most-decorated Aboriginal war veteran through the voices of “Old Tommy” and “Young Tommy.” Tommy or Thomas George Prince received 11 medals for his service in the Second World War and the Korean War yet spent his last years in a Winnipeg hostel. This captivating story weaves past and present, highs and lows so seamlessly that you can’t put it down.

Finally Born Buffalo entertains the reader with an encounter between Cree twins and a mysterious talking buffalo who insists they help her escape from a Saskatchewan zoo. This magical transformation tale will enchant both young and adult readers.

I highly recommend ‘3 Plays.’ Ms. King has cleverly woven three tales of supernatural encounters and filled the pages with memorable characters.
‘3 Plays’ was published by Fifth House Publishers, Red Deer Press and distributed by Fitzhenry & Whiteside. It is 148 pages long and retails for $22.95.

Shelley Pearen is the author of ‘Four Voices the Great Manitoulin Island Treaty of 1862.