The Secret to Humour and Healing
The making and inspiration behind The Secret to Good Tea
Every family has a story that shapes its identity.
Reflecting on life often raises questions about how our past shapes our present and future. From personality and habits to interests and values, our upbringing plays a pivotal role in defining who we become, often leading us to recognize the significant influence of our parents.
This reflection sparks curiosity about our parents' childhood. What activities did they enjoy, what did they like to eat, and what was it like growing up during their time? These were some of the questions Rosanna Deerchild, radio host of CBC Unreserved, asked her mother over a span of 5 years, leading Deerchild to write a book of poetry and her first play, an inspiring new story being produced for the second time ever here in London.
The Secret to Good Tea is a heartwarming and witty story about a mother and her journalist daughter reconnecting through humour, truth, and a cozy cup of tea, coming to the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage.
Based on true events, The Secret to Good Tea follows Gwynn discovering the real story of her mother’s residential school experience. This bold and cheeky family portrait, co-produced with National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre, takes the stage from February 18 to March 8, 2025.
From 2008 to 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission journeyed across Canada to listen to the stories of survivors and their families, documenting the untold stories of their experiences.
"[My mother] wasn’t allowed in the circle. There were just so many people who wanted to share their stories," explained Rosanna Deerchild playwright of The Secret to Good Tea, in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press. "So that prompted me to take her aside and say, ‘I’ll tell your story, and then nobody will tell you there’s no room for you.’ That was our sacred promise to each other."
Because of that intimate moment, Deerchild wrote Calling Down the Sky, a book of poetry followed by The Secret to Good Tea, both inspired by the promise to share her mother’s story.
Rosanna Deerchild is an award-winning Cree poet, from the community of O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation. For over 20 years, she has been a storyteller working in various mediums, including journalism, broadcasting, poetry, and, more recently, playwriting. Deerchild has also been hosting CBC Unreserved for over 10 years, a radio program about issues faced by Indigenous communities, culture, and conversations.
“As Indigenous people, we really need to start telling our own stories and reclaim those spaces,” explains Deerchild, who, in 2021, was invited to participate in the Pimootayowin Creator Circle, a playwright’s group. She accepted the invitation and in 2023 The Secret to Good Tea had its world premiere in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. “Despite its seemingly serious and somber subject matter, the play is actually quite humorous, because Indigenous people are funny.”
Indigenous cultures have long flourished through the tradition of storytelling. For Rosanna, poetry became a way to reconnect with her roots. She shared in her Winnipeg Free Press interview, ‘For me, poetry has always felt like a ceremony. As someone who didn’t grow up learning my language, it felt as though my ancestors were saying, “This is the language we’re gifting you.”’ For a span of five years, Rosanna and her mother, Edna, sat down with a warm cup of tea and discussed Edna’s life growing up Cree. With each experience, a poem was written.
When asked about the play and what she hopes the audience will take away, Rosanna responded with a smile, “I would like people to walk away with hope, knowing that it is possible to heal these relationships.” She also expressed hope that the story would not only spark new conversations but encourage healing. “I want them to leave with a deeper understanding that while this is a dark chapter of our history, it’s not one we can’t heal from.”
The Grand is thrilled to welcome director Renae Morriseau for her Grand directorial debut with The Secret to Good Tea. This marks Morriseau’s second time directing this production, allowing her to refine and reimagine it for fresh audiences. The Secret to Good Tea is a co-production with the National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre, which can be experienced at the Babs Asper Theatre from March 20 to 29, 2025.
But what is the secret to good tea? There’s only one way to find out.
The Secret to Good Tea runs February 18 – March 8, 2025 on the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre. For more information and for tickets, visit GRANDTHEATRE.COM or call the Box Office at 519.672.8800.
Indigenous Community Ticket Program is available to those individuals who identify as Indigenous. For only $20, you can experience one, or any of the remaining 2024/25 Grand Theatre productions.
Written by Maria Siabato
Photo Credit (Header): Rosanna Deerchild. Photo by CBC Radio Canada
