In February 2001, Ghost River Theatre created the musical, AN EYE FOR AN EYE. Inspired by the vigilante actions of Wiebo Ludwig, An Eye for an Eye became an important play in addressing the conflict between rural Alberta and the oil and gas industry. Ludwig was an opponent of the oil industry’s practice of venting sour gas wells, releasing deadly hydrogen sulfide gas in to the air. Ludwig’s complaints were ignored and dismissed, and he took matters in to his own hands. With the help of his family, Ludwig began a campaign of industrial sabotage, blowing up oil wells and gas installations. The nearby community of Beaverlodge lived in fear, uncertain where the next bombing would occur, and who might get hurt.

In the summer of 1999, tensions in the oil patch boiled over when 16-year old Karman Willis was shot. Willis and a group of local teens went joyriding in the early hours of June 20 and crossed onto Ludwig’s property. Three shots were fired by someone on the farm. One of the bullets passed through one of the boys in the truck and struck Willis in the chest. She died a short time later on the way to Grande Prairie Hospital.

Ludwig has long maintained that he does not know who fired the shots that night. He claims the truck narrowly missed a tent filled with children sleeping in front of the house.

Ludwig says the community and the children’s parents were partly responsible for the tragedy because they oppose his stance against the petroleum companies in the area. “The kids have been fueled up by local anger,” says Ludwig. "They’ve been targeting us as fair game because of their parents’ immature attitude, I think. The blood is on the hands of the people who do that kind of stoking up of children." No charges have been laid in the shooting.

An Eye for an Eye was the winner of the 2001 Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Musical.

Conceived and directed by: Doug Curtis

Original music by: David Rhymer

Cast: Kira Bradley, Tony Eyamie, Karen Johnson-Diamond, and Duval Lang

Stage management: Donna Sharpe

Assistant director/movement: Jenny Repond

 

Praise for An Eye for an Eye

“This is the stuff of great drama.”

Colin Mclean, Edmonton Sun

“An Eye for an Eye blinds with its brilliance.”

Liz Nicholls, Edmonton Journal

“Gut-wrenching.”

The Globe and Mail

“An Eye for an Eye digs right in, firing its satirical slings and arrows at all kinds of fat, juicy Alberta targets: religious fundamentalism, ecological irresponsibility, oil industry hubris. Its subject is an incendiary one, both literally and figuratively – Wiebo Ludwig, the Bible pounding eco-terrorist who allegedly blows up sour gas wells – and its songs and skits have already stirred up a buzz of excitement and a rumble of discontent.”

Martin Morrow, FFWD

 “With equal parts humor, intrigue and heart moving emotion, An Eye for an Eye is an irreverent take on a fascinating story.”

Louis B. Hobson, Calgary Sun