Unsung

Actor, writer and musician Beau Dixon brings an incredible story of courage and character to the Mt. Tabor stage this weekend.
Photo: CLIFFORD SKARSTEDT

The little known story of a true Canadian hero

He was an ordinary guy. A devoted father of 12. A hard worker. A faithful churchgoer. But as a black man in Nova Scotia in the ’50s, life was just a little harder for Maurice Ruddick than it was for others. Not blatant discrimination— more like he just wasn’t visible. Yet when circumstances on that tragic day in October 1958 cried out for a hero, it was Ruddick who answered that call.

Actor and musician Beau Dixon tells the story of Maurice Ruddick in his awardwinning play Beneath Springhill on the Mount Tabor stage for four performances this weekend, from July 10 through 12.

The second disaster at the Springhill coal mine in two years was by far the worst. Dozens were killed immediately, crushed by the collapsing mine. Seventyfive were rescued almost immediately. Several miners, however, were trapped in the deepest coal mine in North America. Maurice Ruddick was among these men.

His actions over the next nine days, huddled with six others in a small tomb, inspired the story written and performed by Dixon.

When he began researching Ruddick’s story, Dixon says he found parallels in his own life.

“I connected with him in so many ways,” says Dixon. “My dad came from a family of 12. He was born in New Brunswick. Maurice was deeply religious. My dad was a minister. Music was big part of his life— and it is to me.”

Ruddick is credited with saving the lives of his fellow trapped miners by singing and entertaining them over the long, cold, dark days, unsure if their next breath would be their last. When the ordeal was over, Ruddick was named Citizen of the Year. The story of the trapped miners was told around the world—but the spotlight on Ruddick’s role dimmed quickly. Television news wasn’t ready to feature a black man as hero. Ruddick went back to his ordinary life.

“He wasn’t cut out to be a hero,” says Dixon. “But one day, he went to work and was called upon to be an extraordinary human under terrifying circumstances. It is a story that deserves to be in the history books, but isn’t.”

For Dixon, this was part of the attraction. That, and the music.

In addition to writing and acting, Dixon is an accomplished musician, performing in a wide range of styles and venues. Beneath Springhill features plenty of music that Ruddick enjoyed and sang mournfully deep in the coal mine— helping his buddies to endure the long, dark days trapped underground.

“It’s a fascinating show for the story alone,” says Dixon. “But there are also laughs, some tears and heartache. There will be people in the audience who will remember the story of the Springhill mining disaster—but they may be surprised to learn about Maurice Ruddick.”

Beneath Springhill runs at the Mount Tabor Playhouse this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check festivalplayers.ca for showtimes or call the box office at 613.476.1991.