Advertisement

Culture Theatre

Rick Roberts returns to Tarragon for An Enemy Of The People

Rick Roberts brings intelligence, spontaneity and natural charisma to his work, whether hes playing a sinister, Bluebeard-like figure in Tarragons The Small Room At The Top Of The Stairs or a bumbling Bill Blair-like chief of police in Soulpeppers The Accidental Death Of An Anarchist.

This week he returns to Tarragons award-winning production of Ibsens An Enemy Of The People (to November 1), in which he plays a politician who butts heads with his scientist sibling (played by Joe Cobden last year and recast this time with Laura Condlln) when the latter speaks out about an environmental disaster that could affect the towns prosperity. Roberts also stars in a new CBC-TV series, This Life, which airs Monday nights.

Whats it like to be returning to this production of An Enemy Of The People?

Its like coming home. And some of the furniture has been re-arranged. So on the one hand theres a nice feeling of comfort, tempered by the fear that youre going to trip over the couch.

This time around, Stockmanns a woman (Laura Condlln) instead of a man. How have gender and sexual orientation affected the shows energy?

Ive been surprised by how little its come up in rehearsal. Weve been slowly excising stray pronouns from last years show. Dr. Stockman is one of the great rebel outsiders in theatre. Im really curious to see how the gender switch lands on audiences.

Most intriguing thing to come up in the audience-participation public forum scene?

Young audiences get pretty volatile, which is fun. There was a woman who seemed to know all about the Canadian banking system in the 1920s and stood up and made a lengthy speech about it. The best (and maybe most satisfying) thing was the man who stood up and, as he walked out of the theatre, shouted, This isnt Ibsen! This is abuse!

Does this scene feel different now in an election year?

Last year Rob Ford was a really, really, really easy target. (That seems like so long ago!) With a federal election, the issues are more complex. Were bracing for good arguments with the audience. The muzzling of scientists, the environment, the manipulation of the press, the manufacturing of fear…. Or maybe well just talk about the niqab.

Youve played Jack Layton (in the CBC movie Jack) and Stephen Harper in Michael Healeys Proud. What politician is next?

I would love to play William Lyon Mackenzie King. Seriously.

Any role you want to play but probably wouldnt get cast?

There are many good reasons not to cast me as Sweeney Todd.

Your new CBC-TV series, This Life, premiered this week. Can you sum up the show and your character?

Its a touching and funny family drama, centring on a woman whos been diagnosed with cancer. I play her brother, Matthew, who has made (and continues to make) some very questionable life choices. And hes not a politician or a businessman!

TV vs theatre: thoughts?

Lately Im just in love with being an actor, so Ill do it wherever they let me.

Youre also a playwright. Your scripts include the acclaimed Fish/Wife, Kite, (nod) and Mimi. Any new works coming up?

Ive been trying my hand at TV writing. I have a strange screenplay that I love. Some short film scripts. Plays. A ton of grandiose theatre ideas. I write every day. Either something will come of it or Ill finally get that graphomania diagnosis Ive been longing for.

stage@nowtoronto.com | @glennsumi

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted