Theatre the way it's not be seen before - Never the 51st State

By Pepper Parr

August 18^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Big week for Ray Rivers and the cast of Never the 51^st State, which opens at the Staircase theatre on Thursday and runs through to the 24^th.

Ray Rivers, on the left, wrote the play and is directing the cast – plays a part as well.

For those who attend they will be part of a unique approach to live theatre.

Not going to tell you any more than that.

The costumes are superb.

The cast looked great at the rehearsals.

The approach to this piece of theatre is very interesting – it will be interesting to see when it is live.

The female lead, who is not in the scene with these three combatants, is just back from a short visit to Ukraine, where her husband is serving in the army. Her role brings both an immediacy and a poignancy to this production.

Differences are worked out on the stage.

The full cast practicing their thanks to the audience.