In Switzerland, the Town Crier is called the Stadtrufer. The job is nearly five hundred years old. Oh yes, the people doing it are somewhat younger.
Strange that this profession still exists at all — right in the middle of the age of push notifications and livestreams. Do these people still hold up a parchment scroll and read the riot act to folks, or the latest decrees of the royal household, while the audience films it all on their phones?
Once upon a time in Riverview, a small community in New Brunswick.
There, a young woman named Summer Gallant set out to become one of the few female town criers. And to compete. Because — mind you — there is an official casting call for official town criers. Over a dozen candidates ran in April to replace crier Gerry Forsythe, who had passed away the previous year. Summer Gallant won. Against a dozen men who had all been practising longer than she’s been alive.
A woman crying out?
About time, too.
In her mere twenty-five years of life, Summer Gallant has already seen quite a bit. After school she became a traveller and worked as an au pair in New Zealand. When she set foot back on home soil, she was drawn into the world of theatre. But theatre alone didn’t fill the stage for her — she wanted her hometown to play along too. Her idea of good theatre was the combination of acting and her hometown as the destination of her dreams.
Her first appearance was the swearing-in of the new town council in June.
The Dead Keep Crying
The loud profession of the town crier calls to mind the tradition of a red coat trimmed in gold, white knee breeches, and black boots. On the head sits, correctly, the tricorne hat, and in hand the bell, to draw people’s attention.
Then the call: “Oyez, oyez.” And what did these criers proclaim back then? Really, these bearers of the crier’s office did what the apps on our phones do today. New ordinances and laws were announced, market days were proclaimed, and of course advertising blocks were part of the town crier’s programme too.
The profession is truly long extinct, strictly speaking.
After all, there are somewhat more modern ways to get informed these days. And yet the tradition still lingers. Canadian towns have kept the tradition of the crier alive.
Does Newmarket have its own town crier? No.
But the surrounding towns of York Region — Markham, Aurora, and East Gwillimbury — have a civic shouter named John Webster. He is the official town crier. Naturally, he also reports on regional events in Newmarket.
Switzerland knows the tradition of the town crier all too well. The night watchman, the crier, the village bailiff, and the Basel drummers called out through the night.
And Canada brought this tradition across the Atlantic.
Summer Gallant’s current competitor and reigning champion is Chris Whyman from Kingston. He has held the office for 42 years, so presumably he no longer needs to practise.
But now Chris is up against a newcomer who will challenge him — brow and voice both — at the World Town Crier Tournament in England.
The young woman is truly brave. And self-assured.
What does the oldest news technology in human history need, to prove itself as a town crier?
Well, strong lungs and a clear voice certainly help.
A convincing and attractive costume, plus some singing ability, also play a role in the competition.
An ancient calling profession needs no reach — but very good lungs.
