In this issue we bring you some good news. Ontario has announced reopening plans that will see theatres reopen with limited capacity as early as July. It’s an important first step as the vaccines are making public life a reality. Soon, we will be as secure in health and safety as the UK is now. Speaking of which, we have a letter from a colleague in London which describes the euphoria of being at a live theatre performance again.

Not to be outdone, from NYC there’s news of the reopening of Girl From the North Country and many other Broadway shows. But perhaps the best news for theatregoers is the announcement of performance dates for Blindness at the Princess of Wales Theatre. It will finally be staged here beginning August 4.

Today is also the beginning of Pride. Since the Stonewall riots in 1969, which occurred at the end of June, this month has commemorated resistance to prejudice, and pride in all the colours of the LGBT+ community. (Look for more on Pride in the next issue!)

Sadly we end this with tragic news. Last week we learned of the discovery of 215 Indigenous children buried at a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. At a time when so many have experienced loss, our collective grief must swell to include these children, their families and their communities. This is a devastating reminder of a history that is not as far in the past as we would like to think and our national shame must guide us to be better.

June is National Indigenous History Month — when we celebrate the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

In the next issue of Meanwhile we speak with Tomson Highway, whose seminal play, Dry Lips Oughta Move To Kapuskasing, had a triumphant run at the Royal Alex in 1991. We will also take some time to look at Canada's history with Indigenous peoples, how much work there is to be done and how we can help.