Traders on the Border

Who would ever think that a war could benefit both aggressor and defender? Who would ever think a conflict could be won by both adversaries? But the War of 1812 was such a conflict. At war’s end, the fledgling American republic was assured of its independence from Britain, and Canada was freed from the threat of American invasion. As a result, both countries set a course for independent nationhood, two centuries of friendship, and the establishment of the longest undefended border in the world.
But the war era itself, having begun over 200 years ago, and those days leading up to it, were turbulent times for the settlers living on the border, where friendships flourished and trade thrived between Americans and Canadians. Cultures, which were so similar as to be seen as one, were now divided. The tribulations of pioneer life, as harsh as they were, were now compounded by the threat of war.
Our play begins and ends at the conclusion of the war—in the winter of 1815. The story that is told, however, takes place for the most part in the fall of 1812, in Upper Canada during the days leading up to the invasion. It is a story of love and friendship that demonstrates that war itself was the enemy, not the people whose fate it was to be traders on the border.

PLAY SYNOPSIS
Fate has burdened Jock MacKenzie with the responsibility of raising his deceased brother’s daughter and taking over operation of the Queen’s Tavern. Together with his help-mate, Mary, they have raised Polly to womanhood and now wish to marry her off. Jock hopes that a lucrative business arrangement with Tobias, his American friend, will provide the means to a dowry. Polly is reluctant to be married off and hopes that love will find her first. Jock yearns to be free. Mary reveals a secret. All the while, war is brewing and threatening to interfere with their plans, hopes and dreams.