By Andrea Miller
A new Ottawa theatre company is re-imagining the work of Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet known for “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” and converting his memorable lines into a dramatic recital performed by 10 characters.
Robert Service’s Yukon Gold is the premiere production by Buzz and Company Productions, the brainchild of Buzz Boles, novice producer and avid Service fan.
Though his previous work in theatre was mostly behind-the-scenes, Boles knew exactly what he wanted – a company that only performs Canadian works.
“I am very partial to history and Canada,” he says. “There are so many good scripts and cutting edge theatre art; you don’t have to look any further. When I decided to start a theatre company, I thought — Robert Service.”
The idea of reinterpreting Service’s work first came to him seven years ago. He considered starting a theatre company in 2000.
Along with fellow script developer David Ferguson, Boles converted Service’s poetry into prose, remodelling it as an exchange between patrons at the fabled Malamute Saloon.
After receiving permission from the Service family to work with the lines, Boles and Ferguson traded e-mails and were able to transform nine Service poems into a dramatic reading between various characters, including Dan McGrew and the man who shot him.
David Hersh plays “the Shooter.” Although he got the part only a week ago and has to re-learn the piano after not having played for years, he says it’s a dream role.
“My character gets to get in a gun fight, play the piano and die,” Hersh says.
“I’m only on for three minutes so I have to express so much with very few words. It’s all about the atmosphere in this piece.”
Service’s poems were mandatory elementary school material when Boles was growing up, he says.
But a recent canoe trip with his nephew and son confirmed that there is still a place for this poet among young Canadians.
“After the trip, I asked my son what his favourite part was, and he said it was the stories about the Yukon — the Robert Service poems I’d read,” says Boles. “It’s very adventuresome poetry and it’s still attractive to young people.”
Even some of the cast and crew were new to Service’s work. Co-director Sam Awwad says Boles easily filled in the gaps.
“It’s not your standard play where the playwright had a specific idea about how the play should go,” he says.
“But Buzz is like an encyclopedia about this man – he’s so passionate about it. He makes it more interesting than just reading about it.”
The poems chosen by Boles have been threaded together and will be staged as one piece. He says this performance echoes the poetry’s intended presentation.
“This poetry was written for after-dinner entertainment. It was poetry for recital to groups. To read a poem on the page is to get 25 per cent of its quality. Standing up and reading it brings it completely alive.”
The production begins Jan. 28 and runs until Feb. 1 at the Arts Court, located at the corner of Daly Ave. and Nicholas St.