Interview with James Stewart

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‘James Stewart is one of the most recognizable faces of Nova Scotia. As the official town crier of New Glasgow, he is part presenter, part historian, and part global ambassador. He’s also the man that delivers Boston’s Christmas tree most years. In this interview, we talk with James about what it’s like to be one of only 400 town criers in the world.

James Stewart is one of the most recognizable faces of Nova Scotia. As the official town crier of New Glasgow he is part presenter, part historian, and part global ambassador. He’s won numerous awards in world town crier competitions. Aged 64 years old, he’s a burly man with a ruddy face that accentuates his snow-white beard. He has been the crier for 27 years, and one wonders if he is only getting better with age.

How did you first find out about town criers? - I’m the second town crier in New Glasgow. The first was Ian Cameron. I wear his cape, the same tricorne hat.

He was the crier from 1988-1992, then he decided he would retire. There was an article in the local paper stating the town was looking for a new crier. My wife read it. 

At that time we were doing a lot of community theater, dinner theater, drama festivals. Very busy in the theatrical community.  She came to me and said, “Oh New Glasgow is looking for a town crier. You should do it, you’d be good at it. If you don’t, I’ll kick your butt.”

So I drafted a letter (because that’s what we did in those days), then a month later I got a call. They asked if I could do a cry in front of a committee. “When?,” I asked. “How about in 20 minutes?,” they said. I had to throw together a costume, a cry and present in 20 minutes. This was in 1992.

What are competitions like? What are the events? - Generally, they give you a list of topics for a 3-day competition. One day is your town cry (I’ve been doing this [same] one for years), and there are other topics, usually related to the area. In Bermuda, for example, they might choose a bird, or something native to the island. 

When the island was first founded, one of the first ships had pigs or hogs, as they were called then. They went forth and multiplied. Or a bird that is native, called the cahow. It has a weird cry that almost sounds like someone screaming. Bermuda was called “the island of devils” because of the sound the birds would make. [These are things I might incorporate into my cry.]

For grading, you are judged on clarity, volume, content, poise, etc. Your voice needs inflection, to be “listenable.” (Source)

Let’s continue - James Stewart comes in second in an international town crier competition

Start at the beginning – Hear ye … hear ye …