WALKING TOUR of Niagara-on-the-Lake
A Victorian Stroll About Town, a one hour walking tour
of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a presence from the past.
Have you ever wondered how our First Lieutenant Governor
General, John Graves Simcoe, met his wife, Elizabeth? And speaking of
shocking,
don't
be too scandalized by the story behind the finest house in Niagara,
now known as The Preservation Gallery. (Ladies, we will be stopping
at The
Apothecary beforehand so you can replenish your smelling salts in
case you need them.)
And you will be respectfully requested to not repeat the
story about Reverend Addison's poor wife, well, one of his wives, and
why he
had to build his home, Lake Lodge, so far from the town!
Stories abound in Niagara-on-the-Lake, stories of the
grand and not so grand inhabitants; decisions of major significance,
such
as the
abolition
of slavery, and the trifle choices of every day life in the 1800s.
You will hear this and more on your Victorian Stroll About Town
as Maja Bannerman
confides all she has heard from her Great Aunt Charlotte, a notorious
personage of Niagara fame, fictitious fame, that is! Presented
in character and costume, Maja includes stories about the War
of 1812
and The Underground
Railroad, as the tour stops by The Apothecary, the Niagara Historical
Society and Museum and, by special permission (invitation only),
a visit to The Lord Mayor’s Civic Reception Room in The Old Courthouse.
To view a 4 minute excerpt visit
www.niagaraonthelake.com
(Click: View Video;
Episode Six;
Historical Walking Tour with Maja Bannerman)
BICYCLE TOUR
In partnership with Niagara Wine Tours, Maja offers historical
tours on bicycle to corporate and conference groups. Presented
in character
and
period costume,
Maja shares stories of the town as the group briefly stops
at Parliament Oak Monument, The Wilderness, Brockamour, The Commons,
the grand
homes on John
Street, Navy Hall, Fort George and the Gazebo.
HISTORICAL
Maja has been commissioned many times to create both educational
versions of history and what can be considered as “edu-tainment”.
Hustle Your Bustle:
A Romp & Stomp through Niagara’s Past
A popular choice for Corporate and Conference Groups seeking
unique entertainment, Parasol Lane Productions combine original songs,
stories and vignettes to present
a light- hearted look at the past. Maja also enjoys tailoring scenes to
the
theme of conference or special event.
Performances include the following:
- Find out why Laura Secord really walked 20 miles (32.2
kilometers)
- Learn how to use a fan (Ladies) or understand the messages
(Gentlemen) being sent to you … someone may be wanting a kiss.
- Enjoy a lesson on How to Kiss as written by a young man
in 1800: “First know whom you are to kiss.
Don’t make a mistake, although
a mistake may be good…”
HISTORICAL CHARACTERS & THEMES THUS FAR…
presented
in vignettes and song:
Laura Secord
Elizabeth Simcoe
Arabella Williams
Janet Carnochan in Pirates of Niagara
Pauline Johnson
McFarland girls in 1800s: Marjory, Martha, Jane , Sarah, Anne & Mary
Maria Spelterina (first woman to tightrope across the Falls)
The Underground Railroad
Lizzy, a servant girl of the 1800s
Hannah Hamilton (of Willowbank Estate)
Mary Malcolmson (founder of Girl Guides in Canada)
“Maja’s work to tell
the fascinating stories of our town’s
past through theatre and first person interpretation is a welcome addition
to heritage programming available in town. There (are) many opportunities
for her work to be featured at our various historic sites and at numerous
special events with a heritage theme…Maja Bannerman is very talented,
capable and able to bring our history alive.”
- Ron Dale
Superintendent, Parks Canada
Niagara National Historical Sites
CONTEMPORARY
MURDER MYSTERY: Victor’s Detective Agency
No case is too small and definitely, none too large,
for Vic’s
Dicks! The Inspector and his trusty sidekick, Natasha, can insinuate
themselves into any venue, business or conference group. No one will
suspect a thing, especially the culprit, until it’s too late to
turn back the clock!
With songs, witty dialogue, and camp and corny humour
Maja Bannerman and Jonathan Earp create Murder Mysteries tailored
to your event.
Often arriving at reception hour to case the joint and watch the
suspects,
Bannerman and Earp typically take to the stage before dinner to
introduce themselves with their opening song, By Hook or By Crook.
Following
the main course they announce their suspects, and after dessert,
round- up
the guilty party. Invite your Company and friends to enjoy this musical approach to Murder! Written
and performed by Maja Bannerman and Jonathan Earp
“We’ve had the pleasure of hiring Maja
Bannerman and Jonathan Earp on 2 occasions in the past four months…We
enjoyed them so much we hired them again to do another murder mystery
for
our annual Charity
Wild Game Dinner.
“Both performances were
top notch- Maja and Jonathan are both very talented actors with
a great comedic touch.
“They have impressed us
so much, we have hired them again to perform at our Company Christmas
party.”
- R.J. NADON
General Manager
Niagara Warehouse Management
CASTA DIVA: Visions of Maria Callas She was the century’s greatest opera singer..in love with the world’s
wealthiest man…but then the widow of a murdered President came
between them…CASTA DIVA: Visions of Maria Callas, a one woman show
based on the life of opera diva Maria Callas, written and performed by
Maja Bannerman.
In July 1959, opera singer, MARIA CALLAS began an idyllic
Mediterranean cruise as a guest of Aristotle Onassis, one of the world’s wealthiest
men. By the time the ship docked, she had left her husband for Onassis.
Their passionate liason continued throughout the 1960s- until Onassis
married Jacqueline, the widow of assassinated US president, John F. Kennedy.
Adored for her talent and dreaded for her temper throughout
the Western musical world, since her death in 1977, Callas has often
been seen
as a tragic figure. But writer and performer, Maja Bannerman always
sensed
some other story hidden within this modern Greek Tragedy. “It was
as if one day Maria whispered in my ear, “ Bannerman says, “and
I began to write.” |
