An intriguing historical play in Paris – Queen Milli of Galt

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Is Queen Milli of Galt the story of a well-kept royal secret … or a Canadian fairy-tale about a strange royal marriage? Audience members will have to decide as they enjoy this witty romantic comedy, based on a true Canadian story!

Queen Milli of Galt, by Gary Kirkham, directed by Marion J. Smith and produced by Bonnie McCrae, was the winner of the 2004 Samuel French Canadian Playwriting Contest and is being staged by Paris Performers’ Theatre with special permission from Samuel French Inc.

In 1972 the Duke of Windsor died while living in exile. Two weeks later, an 80-year-old woman living in Galt, Ontario, bought a tombstone and had it beautifully engraved with the claim that she was the wife of the Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII). That is, she was Queen Milli of Galt.

That part of the story can be proved as the tombstone still exists in a cemetery. In the play, a young journalist appears at the home of Millicent Milroy, a retired school teacher, trying to verify the circumstances of Milli’s relationship with the former king of England.

Flashback to 1919 when the Prince of Wales tires of the pomp and circumstance of his tour of Canada and slips away for some private time. Prince Edward teases and charms his way into the life of a young school teacher, Milli. Is this part of the story fact or fiction?

The cast includes: Nicole Drake (Milli), Kelly Malone (Milli’s friend Mona, an actress), Sandra Mann (Milli’s mother), Trevor Wellwood (His Royal Highness, Edward, the Prince of Wales), and Roger Smith (Sir Godfrey, equerry to the Prince).

Tickets are available at the Green Heron Bookstore on Grand River Street North in downtown Paris.

Order tickets by phone at 519-302-0169.

Also, you can order tickets by emailing: bmccrae@primus.ca.

Tickets for Queen Milli of Galt cost $15. Pre-paid purchase of 10 or more tickets to a single performance cost only $12 per ticket.

Performances are held in the Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver Street, Paris, Ontario. The doors open one hour before curtain time and light refreshments and beverages are available. The facility is wheel-chair accessible and padded chairs provide comfortable seating.

CURTAIN TIMES
Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m.