Two Cree elders and a Mexican housekeeper combine to create a cast of characters that bring this touching story to life on the stage
Before diving into the individuals who bring Crees in the Caribbean to life, it’s worth noting that this play is, at its core, a story about connection – between people, cultures, and different ways of seeing the world. Playwright Drew Hayden Taylor has crafted three characters who are immediately recognizable, yet full of surprises. They are funny, flawed, and deeply human, each arriving in the Caribbean with their own expectations, histories, and unspoken needs.
What unfolds between them is more than a vacation story. It’s a shifting dynamic of long-term love, new friendship, and personal rediscovery. Through humour, honesty, and the occasional uncomfortable truth, these characters challenge one another, and in doing so, reveal who they really are.
Let’s explore not only who these individuals are on the surface, but what drives them, what they’re searching for, and how they change over the course of the journey.
Evie Poundmaker
Evie is the engine of the story – the one who says “yes” to life, even when life hasn’t always been kind in return. She’s practical, warm, and quietly determined, with a sense that time matters more now than it used to.
At first glance, she’s the more grounded half of the marriage, often managing Cecil’s hesitations with patience (and the occasional eye-roll). But beneath that calm exterior is someone who wants more than routine; she wants experience, joy, and connection. This trip isn’t just a vacation for her; it’s a conscious decision to embrace the present.
She’s open-hearted, observant, and quietly adventurous, and she’s also emotionally intelligent with the ability to read people well. She carries both love and urgency beneath the surface.
Evie moves from being the steady anchor in the relationship to someone who actively pushes for change – encouraging both herself and Cecil to step outside their comfort zones and truly live.
Cecil Poundmaker
Cecil is a man of habit, comfort, and dry humour – someone who would much rather be at home than figuring out resort buffets and beach etiquette. He’s resistant to change, but not out of stubbornness; more out of uncertainty.
He often delivers the biggest laughs through understatement and reaction. The world around him feels unfamiliar, and his instinct is to retreat into what he knows. But beneath the grumbling is deep love for Evie and a growing awareness that he may need to meet her halfway.
He’s wry, sarcastic, and grounded in routine while being emotionally reserved but deeply caring. He finds humour in discomfort (whether he means to or not).
Cecil’s journey is about letting go of control, of fear, of the idea that life has to stay small. As the play unfolds, he begins to open up, revealing vulnerability and a willingness to embrace something new.
Manuela
Manuela is the wildcard; the spark that disrupts and energizes everything. She’s vibrant, confident, and unapologetically herself. Where Evie and Cecil carry history, Manuela represents possibility.
She forms a fast, genuine connection with Evie, offering a different perspective on life, relationships, and freedom. Her presence challenges both Evie and Cecil, sometimes gently, sometimes directly, but always with honesty and charm.
She is very charismatic, bold, and emotionally intuitive, but open about her life and choices. She acts as both a catalyst and a mirror for the couple.
Manuela doesn’t change the same way the others do; she changes them. She helps Evie see what’s still possible and nudges Cecil toward growth, all while revealing her own depth beneath the surface confidence.
The Dynamic
At its core, the play is about contrast and connection. For Evie and Cecil, it’s about history, love, and the comfort (and tension) of a long relationship. Manuela and Evie bond through curiosity, openness, and rediscovery. For Manuela and Cecil, the focus is on challenge, humour, and reluctant growth.
Together, they create a balance of comedy and honesty – where culture clashes, generational perspectives, and personal truths collide in ways that are both hilarious and unexpectedly moving.
