Play Brings Historic Mountain Explorer to Life
His map showed us the way across a continent. His life showed us what it means to be a Canadian.
His map showed us the way across a continent. His life showed us what it means to be a Canadian.

On April 4, share an hour with one of the most remarkable characters in Canadian history when the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture presents The David Thompson Story. This one-man play, written and presented by actor Jeff Shea, tells the fascinating story of explorer David Thompson. From 1786 to 1814, Thompson travelled over 50,000 miles, charting Western Canada with an accuracy that astounds geographers to this day. The performance takes place at 7:30 pm in the Max Bell Auditorium at The Banff Centre.

The David Thompson Story is a story of physical adventure and of the spiritual inspiration Thompson took from the natural wonders he encountered. More than is typical in the world of drama, The David Thompson Story is the result of detailed archival research. Many of Thompson's own journal entries have been incorporated into the play. During his research at the Archives of Ontario, Jeff Shea studied the enormous map Thompson created, a priceless artifact that covers a full ten feet by six feet. A replica of this map is displayed at every performance. is a story of physical adventure and of the spiritual inspiration Thompson took from the natural wonders he encountered. More than is typical in the world of drama, The David Thompson Story is the result of detailed archival research. Many of Thompson's own journal entries have been incorporated into the play. During his research at the Archives of Ontario, Jeff Shea studied the enormous map Thompson created, a priceless artifact that covers a full ten feet by six feet. A replica of this map is displayed at every performance.

The David Thompson Story incorporates a number of themes—including Thompson’s love of the natural landscape and his ability to draw inspiration from the physical challenges he faced—as illustrated in the following excerpts: incorporates a number of themes—including Thompson’s love of the natural landscape and his ability to draw inspiration from the physical challenges he faced—as illustrated in the following excerpts:

I followed up the Bow River to study the mountains more closely. Never before did I observe so close a resemblance to the waves of the ocean during a wintry storm. In viewing their wild appearance the imagination is apt to say that these mountains must once have been liquid, and when in that state, swelled to their greatest agitation, it was all suddenly congealed and made solid by power omnipotent."

"Then I recalled the advice I used to give to new men on how to ford a deep rushing stream. To avoid losing your footing and being swept away you must keep your eyes fixed on the exact point on shore you intend to go and never down at the boiling malevolence around you. And soon I felt my power of will return, and by the time I was reunited with my men, my next course of action was clear.

The Spring 2001 tour of The David Thompson Story is supported by a Banff Centre for Mountain Culture grant. Other tour dates include: Rocky Mountain House (Rocky Mountain House Community Centre)–March 28^th, Red Deer (The Snell Auditorium in the Red Deer Public Library)–March 30th and 31^st, and Spokane, Washington (Whitworth College)–April 3^rd. The play is produced by the Heritage Production Company of Jasper, Alberta.