HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Blyth Festival 2000, 2000-06-21, Page 40PAGE 16. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2000.
With ‘Stolen Lives’ and ‘Reaper’ Peter Colley scores big
Kate Hemblen and Michael Spencer-Davis in a scene from the
1999 version of When the Reaper Calls. Peter Colley’s hit will
return this season along with his new play, Stolen Lives — The
Albert Walker Story. — Photo by Off Broadway Phtography
By Bonnie Gropp
* Citizen staff
Being at Blyth Festival has always
elt like coming home to playwright
'eter Colley. And this season
audiences can delight in two
homecomings.
Back by popular demand is
Colley’s When the Reaper Calls, the
sold-out hit from last year. Making
its debut is Stolen Lives— The Albert
Walker Story.
Colley says he had actually been,
following the scandalous story of the
south-western Ontario man who
scammed his neighbours out of their
money, took his daughter with him
to England and years later was
traced and charged with murder,
when it first broke. “I had
downloaded information then
scribbled in red ink that this would
make a great play.”
The idea then sat for a time, until
personal crisis brought it to the
surface. “Though it percolated in my
mind I was caught up in other work.
Bui last year. I got ripped off by a
financial guru and though I was
lucky having gotten my money back
I knew what Walker’s friends and
neighbours felt. For a year I ran
through the gamut of emotions from
anger to feeling foolish.”
“Then I was clearing my desk and
came upon that note from earlier. I
realized this is the time to do this
play. I had been a cynic wondering
how people could let something like
this happen. Then it happened to
me.”
Truly inspired in the spring of
1999 he pitched the concept to
Artistic Director Anne Chislett who
encouraged him to proceed.
“That this man beguiled these
farm people, that he ruined so many
is such an fascinating story. That I
knew to a degree what it felt like I
think allowed me to write at another
level. There is fire in how I wrote
this play.”
Alleviating any potential for
concern, Cojley stresses that the
work in no way romanticizes the
criminal. “Actually when Walker’s
ex-wife heard that 1 was writing this,
she contacted me and said that she
hoped I was not going to
‘glamourize that SOB’. She was
very concerned that the play not
trash her children and that it show
she was a victim. She was not a co
conspirator. They were I think, very
really concerns.”
Ultimately Colley said he believes
his depiction of Albert Walker is
accurate. “He did so many bad
things we can only portray a small
number of that litany.”
There is one bit of dramatic
license, however. Portrayed by actor
Peter Haworth. Walker “will be a
little more handsome, a little more
charismatic than in life,” laughs
Colley, adding that Haworth is
“wonderful in the role. He certainly
has the embodiment of Albert
down.”
That audiences will probably flock
to form their own opinion is likely,
with Colley’s plays at Blyth always
well received. “Blyth audiences do
seem to respond well to my work,”
he says in gracious understatement.”
His first production here, I'll Be
Back Before Midnight, was a huge
success eventually playing
worldwide and grossing over $8
million. He still receives royalties
from theatres all over which are
continuing to produce his script.
Then last season his When the
Reaper Calls opened in the
Festival’s intimate studio space, The
Garage. A smash, it is being
remounted this year on the main
stage so that the many disappointed
theatregoers who couldn't get tickets
then will have a better chance.
Colley describes his work as
“robust” and feels that may be the
attraction. “I enjoy strong
storytelling and have a great dislike
for being bored. 1 don't think people
are bored when they are watching
my work. I like to think I move them
in some way, frighten them, surprise
them. It’s not esoteric, high falutin’
stuff that seems to go on forever and
the theme and characters seem to be
appropriate for Blyth audiences.”
Having two productions in one
season here is a treat for Colley who,
divides his time between Los
Angeles and Toronto, as he will be
living in the village for the month
between the openings. “I was
£
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‘Stolen Lives’
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It will be so nice to come and stay in
Blyth for awhile.”
Peter Colley
Congratulations Blyth
g Festival on the opening of
your 26th Season
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