‘Piggyland’ scandal revived onstage
Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
In the late 50s and early 60s, the small town of Sunderland, just north of Uxbridge, experienced a scandal that rocked not just the town, but the world. The story of Piggyland is being revived, not to haunt former investors, but as a play that tells this intriguing story.
Durham Region theatre company Theatre on the Ridge is finishing out its summer season with the world premiere of “Piggyland,” written by playwright Graeme Powell.
Inspired by true events that took place in Sunderland, “Piggyland” is a tale of greed, deception and the pursuit of dreams. Concocted by career conman John Laun, the Piggyland farm, which was located on Hwy. 12 just south of the town itself, raised over a million dollars from around 1,000 investors who were eager to double or even triple their investment. Instead, they lost it all. The enterprise was later exposed as a scam in which the same pigs were sold to multiple investors. John Laun vanished without a trace, reportedly to Europe, as did the money.
Award-winning “Piggyland” playwright Graeme Powell. Photo from Playwrights Guild of Canada
Directing the production is company artistic director, Carey Nicholson, who says she is eager to bring this new work to audiences.
“When Graeme approached me three years ago with his concept for “Piggyland,” I was immediately excited to see where this piece could go, and in 2024 our oRidginator Lab artists spent a week workshopping the first draft with Graeme. By the end of the week, I could see the play on our stage and knew I wanted to direct it.”
In a recent online article (ourtheatrevoice.com) on “Piggyland,” theatre critic Joe Szekeres shares how Powell came to the unique but true story.
“(He) first encountered this fascinating story during March Break in 2023, when his youngest son mentioned Piggyland after tobogganing with friends near the former site. A search through material connected to the Sunderland Historical Society led Powell to a Maclean’s article from the early 1960s. The discovery revealed that the Powells lived roughly a kilometre from the site and had passed its remains many times without knowing its history. The article’s account of con artist John Laun, the pig farm, the collapse of the enterprise, and claims tied to Laun’s shady, checkered past provided the starting point for Powell’s research and eventual script.”
“Piggyland” is not Powell’s first play to be produced. In 2014, he debuted “Renovations” with OnStage Uxbridge, which won Best New Canadian Play at the ACTCO Awards (Association of Community Theatres Central Ontario) that year.
In keeping with Piggyland’s homegrown roots, the cast will feature several local area actors familiar to Theatre on the Ridge audiences from past productions and across Durham Region, including Grant Evans, Howard Linscott, Craig Martin, Graeme Powell, Michael Serres,
Nathan Simpson, Annette Stokes-Harris and Lisha Van Nieuwenhove.
Performances begin next Wednesday, Sept. 9, and runs through to Sept. 20. All performances take place on the grounds of Scugog Shores Museum. The venue is under a tent, so those attending are encouraged to dress according to the weather - “Pretend you’re going to camp,” jokes Nicholson. Group bookings are welcome. Find full details and ticket information at theatreontheridge.ca or contact the box office at boxoffice@theatreontheridge.ca or by calling 905-242-9343.