Playwright Judy Keightley
BAYFIELD – Bayfield’s own Aunt Maud had another identity that will be revealed on stage later this month.
Before she settled into the role of the quiet woman who resided with her sister at the corner of Victoria Place and Ann Street, she had been a courageous nursing sister during WWI.
Maud Stirling was a heroine. She was so brave that when the Zeppelins were hovering overhead and the bombs were falling, she stayed staunchly with her patients. She risked her own life by refusing to go to shelter because she did not want to desert the wounded boys who were unable to walk to safety. All this happened in Salonika where she was posted. She and her fellow nurses suffered tremendously in dreadful conditions. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross for performing exceptional acts of bravery and devotion at her post of duty during the war.
Soon her story will be told.
Judith Keightley, Bayfield’s own playwright, has written the story of Maud’s wartime achievements in the new play, A Woman at War – The Maud Stirling Story.
The play will run May 24-27 at the Bayfield Town Hall. All performances will start at 8 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday on which there will be a 2 p.m. matinee performance.
For tickets, $12, are available by calling Margaret Clydesdale at 519 236-7590 or Carol Thornley-Hall at 519 565-5532. There will be a cash bar.
2 Comments on "WWI nurse, Bayfield resident subject of new play"
This is so very exciting and I wish Bayfield could do more of these. Granted we don’t have the room that Blyth does and have to do several performances to accommodate the people, but truly think this would work. However, have my tickets and looking forward to the Thursday night performance on the 24th.
We drove up from Niagara-on-the-Lake (home of Shaw Festival Theatre). Ostensibly we came to support two of our closest friends on stage. Fortuitously for them, they did not spot us until after the show (bright lights and such). Surprisingly, it was well worth the ticket price, the wine was good, the actors were committed and it was a good time for all. We were collectively surprised by Mikey’s tidbit at the end…well done all!