World War I has been a subject of interest for RH Thomson for some time. In 2002, he mounted the one-man show The Lost Boys, based on letters sent home by five great-uncles who had served on the front (four were killed in action). Back in January, he directed two of his former Avonlea co-stars — David Fox and Ian Clark — in Wild Mouth, which was set in Saskatchewan during 1917 and was about a woman who was coming to terms with the loss of her son in the war.
Now, he is involved with the project Vigil 1914-1918. Starting on November 4, at 5 pm local time, names of the 68,000 Canadians who died in WW1 will be projected onto various buildings in locations across Canada and on Canada House at Trafalgar Square in London. Names will be projected for thirteen hours a day, until the final name goes up at sunrise on Veterans/Rememberance Day (November 11). It is a joint effort between RH and lighting designer Martin Conboy, with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada.
Last year, they did something similar to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the battle at Vimy Ridge, projecting the names of the 3500 dead at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
Globe and Mail
canoe.ca
Toronto Star
Vigil 1914 - 1918
This year, a few Avonlea alumni are among this year’s Gemini nominees!
David Fox is up for Best Actor in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries for Across the River to Motor City; Megan Follows is up for Best Actress in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries for Booky and the Secret Santa (she will be up against her co-star Rachel Marcus in this category); and RH Thomson is a nominee for Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries for The Englishman’s Boy.
Motor City received a total of 12 nominations — more than any other TV movie or miniseries this year. The Englishman’s Boy is up for seven trophies. Booky and the Secret Santa is nominated for four awards.
Select awards will be handed out in untelevised ceremonies between October 21 and 23 in Toronto. The Broadcast Gala, also in Toronto, will be televised on November 28 at 9 pm ET on E! Canada and Showcase.
Gemini Awards
Wild Mouth — directed by RH Thomson and featuring David Fox and Ian D. Clark (Simon Tremayne) — has not been much of a hit with many Toronto theatre critics.
Set in 1917 in the fictional town of Standfast, Saskatchewan, the play centres around Anna (played by actress Sarah Orenstein) who has just lost a son in WW1, and Bodhan (Oliver Becker) who has just returned from the War. Anna moves in with her brother Logan (Ian) and his wife Roberta (Brenda Robins) — both of whom have had a son killed in action, and have another one who is itching to see some of the action himself. David Fox’s character is Aloysius, Logan and Roberta’s hired hand.
Both eye.net and the Toronto Star have dubbed the latest offering from Saskatchewan playwright Maureen Hunter “boring”.
On the other hand, the Toronto Sun/Canoe.ca has given it four out of five stars, declaring it “an impressive piece of work”. In the January 17 issue of NOW Toronto, it received a 4/5 ranking as well. Part of the review reads, “Rarely does a dramatic ensemble include so many fully engaged actors, and this whole cast stands out. R.H. Thomson’s meticulous direction includes subtle details…that make every action and reaction seem genuine.”
This is not the first time RH Thomson has handled the subject of World War I on stage. In 2002, he wrote and starred in a one-man play entitled The Lost Boys, based on letters saved by his aunt from five uncles who fought in it.
Wild Mouth is playing at the Tarragon Theatre’s mainspace until February 10.
Globe and Mail
Eye.net review
Toronto Star review
Toronto Sun/Canoe.ca
NOW Toronto
National Post
