Time for a Musical

The musical ‘Naismith Is Colourblind and He Can’t Drive’ takes place Nov. 5 (Dinner/Theatre at the Almonte Civitan Hall, 6 pm, Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, $25, segments of the play will be presented) and on Nov. 11 and 12 at Almonte’s Old Town Hall, 7:30pm, tickets $15, children $7, family $35) for the full production.

***** If you want to take in the dinner/theatre at the Civitan Hall, you must get your tickets by this weekend!!! The Civitans need to know numbers before they order the turkey.

Tickets are available at:
Mill Street Books 613-256-9090
Pakenham General Store
Recreation and Culture office in the Old Town Hall 613-256-1077.


Almonte will host the world premiere of the musical play Naismith is Colourblind and He Can’t Drive to commemorate the 150th birthday of basketball inventor James Naismith in November.

During her research, playwright Fern Martin discovered that the invention of basketball was but a small part of Naismith’s many achievements. Born in Almonte on November 6, 1861 and orphaned at nine years old, James Naismith lived a life full of accomplishments: he earned three academic degrees, spoke six languages, was a soloist at university, a gymnast, a professor, a humanitarian, and a builder of houses. If that’s not enough for one life, he also served as a chaplain in WWI in France, developed tests to determine the effects of alcohol and tobacco on the human body, and was a renowned speaker, teacher and preacher. He was particularly concerned with students who had disabilities and developed massage techniques to improve their mobility.

James Naismith was surprisingly worldly for his time and identity. A devout Scot and devout Christian – he taught “Hygiene” – or as we know it today: sex education – to students and soldiers. This subject was advanced for the time and remains controversial today.

"Great characters also have great quirks," says Martin. "For instance, I discovered that he was a terrible driver." Used to driving horses, Naismith drove his first car like it was a horse – calling “Whoa” and pulling back on the steering wheel when it was time to stop!

The musical centers on a debate between an American and a Canadian over which country can claim credit for Naismith’s basketball invention. A talented, 14 member chorus tells his story through acting and songs. Naismith is represented by his puppet and three actors: Ben Guthrie (child), Andrew Jahn (youth), Mark Piper (adult)

Naismith is Colourblind and He Can’t Drive captures Naismith’s great sense of humour as well as some of the more poignant periods of his life.

The play is being produced by The Valley Players and the Town of Mississippi Mills.