End of an era

After 12 years, as of tomorrow I will no longer be on the board of the local theatre group. Twelve years. Long time.

I originally tried to step down last year. It was after I’d tendered my resignation and found myself saying to a friend that I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with myself (given that the theatre company had pretty much been my life for so long), that she decided she had a male friend I needed to meet (who she thought needed to meet me). Well, we know how happily that turned out. But, before I realised that this really was the guy I wished I met 40 years ago, I was persuaded to stay on the board another year to help with the transition.

This really is it. I wish I could say I was leaving the group as thriving as it was a few years ago (when we managed to put on five shows per season), but that is not the case. Volunteers have disappeared since Covid and have not been replaced, despite our best efforts to bring in new people. Last season three shows were planned, but we could only manage two. Sometimes something new needs to emerge, phoenix-like, from the ashes. (Not the anyone died. You know what I mean.)

I’m not saying I will never direct, write or appear in another play. I’m sure I will. But for now I want to concentrate on the next chapter in my life. And nothing but that.

There have been some wonderful moments.

Deciding in the summer of 2013 that the best response to homophobic bible quotes that were appearing around the island was to direct a production of Inherit the Wind, despite the cast of thousands and the fact that I’d never directed a play before.

A lifelong theatregoer told me after seeing the show that it was the best production of the play he’d ever seen – including one on Broadway. I can’t take all the credit; it really was a labour of love for all involved.

My first foray into Shakespeare in 2015, playing Hippolyta in Midsummer Night’s Dream.

What larks!

Performing in my own play, An Unhelpful Complication, with my mate Charlie.

And, of course, that play coming in second in the one-act category in the 2018 Canadian National Playwriting Competition.

Favourite roles? Well, I’ve enjoyed something about all of them, but, if I had to choose two, I suppose they would be bonkers Bunty in Whisking Eggs in 2019. (Terrible wig, but lots more larks.)

And then there’s my last appearance on stage as Rita in Norm Foster’s Halfway There.

Man, the first time I read that play I fell in love with Rita and desperately wanted to play her. There was an early rehearsal disagreement with the director.

HIM: I need you to play her as a real cougar.

ME: No.

HIM: What?

ME: This woman is all front with a whole load of hurt behind it. She is not a cougar.

HIM: (three weeks later) You were right.

And then there were the pantos – all five of the Robin Bailes’ scripts. No one expected the Spanish Inquisition.

And yet I gave it to them – three times! (No, Robin hadn’t written them into any of his scripts – strictly my addition.)

That same lifelong theatregoer who’d complimented me on Inherit the Wind sent me a message after opening night of this 2016 panto: “I’ve been watching pantos for many years now, and I gotta tell ya, this one was fabulous.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I laughed.  Acting, script, costumes, drop, timing; all were over the top.  How are you ever going to improve on this?  Congratulations to all involved, particularly the director. No one expected the Spanish Inquisition!” (I did actually know how much he’d laughed, because I’d been sitting across the aisle from him.)

Yes, it’s been a lot of fun, but I need a break.

Still, I suspect