Setting The Stage, 1998-06-24, Page 290 L DE
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120 Queen St., N.
Blyth 523-9187
Eric Coates: actor, director and associate artistic director at Blyth.
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SETTING THE STAGE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1998. PAGE 5.
Eric Coates' dream is realized at Blyth
By Bonnie Gropp
For Eric Coates, being at the
Blyth Festival is the
culmination of a professional
mission.
"The story I always tell, am
happy to tell, goes back to high
school. I knew that I wanted to be
either a farmer or an actor," said
the Guelph native. "I saw a video
of The Farm Show and it was life-
changing. Having discovered Paul
Thompson's work and finding out
about Blyth, I was determined to
work here."
It took 10 years for Eric Coates
to fulfill this dream season. After
graduating from Ryerson's theatre
school, he apprenticed at the
Stratford Festival, then moved east
before coming back to Stratford.
He and his wife, Diane Robinson,
who works in the wardrobe
department at the Stratford
Festival, now reside there with
their two children.
Though many actors worry that
limiting their work to one place is
dangerous, Eric said, to him Blyth
is home. Now beginning his fourth
season here, the festival has been a
place for him to spread his wings.
"It has turned me on to new
things."
The festival has opened windows
of opportunity for him. Having
acted in many proclaimed
productions the past three seasons,
including The Tomorrow Box,
Jake's Place, The Melville Boys
and the popular Barndance Live,
Eric is serving this year as
associate artistic director. Working
hand-in-hand with artistic director
Anne Chislett and general manager
Karen Stewart gave him the chance
to help tackle administrative duties
and see first-hand how to put
together a summer festival.
Through involvement with
auditions and workshops, Eric
developed a huge appreciation of
how . much work it takes to
organize the season. "These things
don't just magically happen."
And after tackling administrative
duties, the busy actor is going to
look at things from on stage and
off. In addition to his role as
police chief in Yesteryear, he is
also assistant director. "Seeing
how director Paul Lambert
approaches the show was my
primary interest."
After his off-stage work is
complete on that project Eric will
demonstrate his own approach.
From July 8 to Aug. 15, he is
directing 13-18-year-old thespians
in this year's Young Company
production, 1837-The Farmers'
Revolt. The play, he says, is a
departure from what the Blyth
Young Companys have done in the
past, but he felt it was important to
have something that was not
"children's theatre."
Despite its deep historical roots,
Eric feels that the teens will find
the play has many parallels with
the world they know today. "It's
about the little guy against the
government."
The fact that the production is a
collective was originally very
important to Eric as he doesn't
know what the size of the company
will he. "This way I have the
opportunity to cast the play when
they get here. It allows more
flexibility."
Having been one of the busiest
on-stage actors in previous Blyth
seasons, it's going to be a change
for both Eric and the audiences
who enjoy his work. However,
while he is grateful for his part in
Yesteryear, Eric said this year he
really wanted to concentrate on
directing. "This season has really
lit a fire under me."
This is not to say that he's not
excited about his turn on stage.
"The character is a real departure
for me. Also, it's a great cast and
I'm sharing the stage with some of
my best acting buddies. It's going
to be a real treat."
And so with a role in one of this
season's promising productions and
having played a part in putting it
together, Eric has definitely arrived
in Blyth. "Since my first season, I
have experienced an incredible
chain of events thanks to Janet
(Amos, former artistic director)
and Anne. They saw what I had to
contribute and have given me the
chance."
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