Trent Valley Archives Theatre Returning in 2026
June 4, 5, 6 and 7 — A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Peterborough. Click here for more information.
The Kid from Simcoe Street
In our adaptation of this moving World War II era memoir, James Clarke recalls growing up in the poor and alcohol-ridden neighbourhood of downtown Peterborough.
As a boy, his father had been a foot soldier, but after coming home from the battlefields he turned to manic drinking and belligerence, shattering his wife’s dreams, and casting a dark shadow over James’ boyhood.
This story, told with emotion that is unflinching in its honesty, lets us see just how remarkable it is that James Clarke became not only a man esteemed and honoured as a judge of the Superior Court of Ontario, but as a respected poet, too.
Purchase your copy from Exile Editions
Have you seen the updated Heritage Gazette?
We are pleased to continue and expand on the pioneering work of archivist Elwood Jones and Steve Gavard as we explore the near and distant past in this full colour publication.
View the current and past issues
Many Peterborough citizens served in the First and Second World Wars. But did you know that some Peterborough citizens served in other conflicts as well? Discover their names and hear their stories on this Sunday's "Honouring Our Military History" tour in Little Lake Cemetery (June 14 at 2pm) with military historian Don Willcock. ![]()
![]()
As you pay your respects at their final resting places, you'll learn about people like John Roche, who served in the Royal Navy under Horatio Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars; Colonel John Wesley Miller, who served in the American Civil War and was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg; and Achilles Turner, who served in the Boer War and was awarded the South Africa Medal by Queen Victoria. ![]()
![]()
Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/honouring-our-military-history-tickets-1988559444830?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_t...![]()
![]()
NOTE: This is a walking tour in Little Lake Cemetery that covers a large portion of the cemetery grounds. It stays on the main roadways whenever possible, but covers some uneven and hilly ground and may not be accessible to everyone. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour will run rain or shine.
June is a significant month in military history, as June 6 marks the anniversary of D-Day and the Allied invasion in Normandy. To commemorate this anniversary and Canadian Armed Forces Day, which is observed on the first Sunday in June, we're running our "Honouring Our Military History" tour this Sunday, June 14 at 2pm. ![]()
![]()
Join military historian Don Willcock in Little Lake Cemetery to learn more about Peterborough residents who served their country in a variety of conflicts, from the Napoleonic Wars right though to the Second World War. Some of them fought directly at the front lines and others played a supporting role. Some returned home to their families and others would never get to see their families again. Regardless of how they left their mark, all of them led remarkable lives that are worthy of remembrance. ![]()
![]()
If you'd like to honour these courageous men and women with us, there are still tickets available to the tour. They cost $20 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite, here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/honouring-our-military-history-tickets-1988559444830?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_t...![]()
![]()
NOTE: This is a walking tour in Little Lake Cemetery that covers a large portion of the cemetery grounds. It stays on the main roadways whenever possible, but covers some uneven and hilly ground and may not be accessible to everyone. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour will run rain or shine.
A reminder that today is the last day to fill out our Audience Feedback survey and enter for your chance to win a copy of James Clarke's 2012 memoir "The Kid from Simcoe Street!" If you no longer have the leaflet that came inside your program with the QR code linking to the survey, you can access the survey here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb6Fqt3TenyqKorCXFudud_Im9NQkgIxqzfU4ICvGSD9Ym1w/viewform?usp=p...
Yesterday (June 6), we were honoured to welcome James Clarke, author of the memoir that inspired our play, to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to see our first matinee performance of "The Kid from Simcoe Street" alongside his family and friends. ![]()
![]()
The performance, in front of a nearly sold-out audience, was a huge success and was thoroughly enjoyed by Clarke family members and Peterborough community members alike. After the show, James enthusiastically met with the Kid from Simcoe Street cast and behind the scenes team, and we took the opportunity to gather the four Jims together for the poignant photo you see here. ![]()
![]()
Trent Valley Archives President Madison More also took the opportunity at the end of the show to present flowers to the three playwrights as a token of appreciation from our Board of Directors, as without their polished script, the "Kid from Simcoe Street" play would not exist! ![]()
![]()
If you haven't seen "The Kid from Simcoe Street" yet, today is your LAST CHANCE to see the show! Our second matinee performance is taking place today, June 7, at 2pm, and there are still tickets available. They can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526![]()
![]()
[Images Credit: Jordan Lyall Photography]
If you're headed to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to attend one of our "The Kid from Simcoe Street" matinee performances this weekend, be sure to stop by our book table in the lobby when you arrive, during the intermission, or before you leave the theatre! We're well-stocked on copies of James Clarke's "The Kid from Simcoe Street" memoir and several of his poetry books, including "How to Bribe a Judge: Poems from the Bench," "The Long Arc of Hope," "The Raggedy Parade," "Accept the Blessing," and "Small is Beautiful." ![]()
![]()
While the memoir and some of James Clarke's poetry books can be purchased online, we're selling them at a special price to coincide with our production of "The Kid from Simcoe Street" that you won't be able to purchase them at anywhere else! Any remaining copies of each of these books will be available in our bookstore at 567 Carnegie Avenue starting next week, for those of you who are unable to make it to the Market Hall this weekend. ![]()
![]()
NOTE: At this time, we can only accept cash or cheque payments at our book table. An ATM is on site in the Market Hall lobby if you forget to bring cash with you to the theatre.