Playwriting
See the All Changed page.
Directing
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, by W.S. Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame; this is not the Stoppard play). I directed this one act comic spoof of Hamlet for Ottawa Little Theatre in the fall of 2009. It was presented as part of a show called "A Little Gilbert, A Little Sullivan." This included also a one act operetta composed by Sullivan (with a different librettist), performed by the Savoy Society.
Pizzazz by Hugh Leonard, for Tara Players (October 2007). Pizzazz was Tara's entry to the Eastern Ontario Drama League's One Act Play Festival in Kingston, where it won three acting awards and an award for "Best Script Interpretation by Director and Cast." It was voted the "People's Choice" award for the audience favourite production, and was also nominated for "Best Production" and "Best Director".
John Bull's Other Island, by Bernard Shaw, for Tara Players (May 2006).
O'Flaherty V.C., also by GBS, for Tara Players (directed and designed). O'Flaherty V.C. was Tara's entry in the 2004 EODL one act festival where it received two acting awards, placed second for "Best Production," and was nominated for six other awards, including Best Director and Best Set Designer.
A bit of history: my friend Doug White and I co-directed Osborne's Look Back in Anger in 1969, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the last play ever put on in Convocation Hall by the student-operated Queen's Drama Guild. After that, the charming little proscenium arch theatre was given over exclusively to the use of the rapidly growing Queen's Drama Department.
Acting
Almost every leading role I've ever played has been some kind of bad guy, so you'd think that an opportunity to play a Catholic priest would be a real change. But, sadly, no. In 2010, James Watson directed the first production anywhere of Strange Gods, by Bob Knuckle, for GOYA, and I played Father Manning, a character so manipulative, hypocritical and dishonest that at one point every night I'd actually hear a hiss of indrawn breath from the audience. Come to think of it, that was kind of fun.
In 2008 I got to play Bill Ray in On Golden Pond, directed by Wayne Nolan, at Ottawa Little Theatre. The audience loved the show, and gave mostly standing ovations. I think it helped that I was on stage only for one ten minute scene. The rest of the cast was wonderful. Here you can see me with Dan Baran, Charlotte Stewart, and Dianna Renée Yorke.
Ah, those bad guy characters. I swear I don't know why I get to play them; I'm really just a sweet little (well, big) creampuff. But look at me as Bill Sikes, the worst villain I ever got to be. From looking at the picture, you'd never guess that bit about the creampuff, would you? This was in Orpheus Musical Theatre's Oliver!, June 2005, directed by Chris Drew. The makeup was designed and created by Tracey Lahey.
A Gentleman of Japan in G&S's The Mikado, Savoy Society, directed by Geoff White. 2004
This was a highly praised production (not because of anything I did, I assure you. I mean, look at me!)
Mosey in Billy Roche's Amphibians, Tara Players, directed by David Parry in 2004.
I spent more time ageing myself with makeup every night than I did acting in this play. But I really liked this role, and the play. (That was a while ago. I probably wouldn't need the makeup now.)
Snake in Sheridan's The School for Scandal, Tara Players, directed by Jo-Ann McCabe 2003
Sir Robert Chiltern in Wilde's An Ideal Husband, Tara Players, directed by David Parry. 2002
(That's Brian Stewart on the left as Lord Goring.)
The Town Drunk in G&S's Yeomen of the Guard, Savoy Society, directed by Pat MacDonald.
Jud Fry in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Orpheus Musical Theatre,
directed by Sheila Shields. 1994
