Unsung Heroes: the supporting players

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Autumn, 2002 by Coral Andrews-Leslie

"WE'VE BEEN MISLED INTO THE BELIEF THAT DECOR IS THE THING IN THE THEATRE. IT ISN'T. ACTING IS."

NATHAN COHEN

Canada's most notorious drama critic Nathan Cohen envisioned a national theatre that was vital, exploratory, human and blessed "with an ensemble style in which the play itself was the star". He wanted our actors to perform world classics from Sophocles to Brecht, to regain the excitement and dynamics of the early theatre pioneers like The New Play Society. He wanted Canadian theatre to have its own identity.

Decades later, Cohen's dream has largely been realized, in part because of the unselfish professionalism of the many Canadian character actors whose work strengthens acting ensembles across the country; often they are theatre's Unsung Heroes. We asked a group of these players about the makings of a good character actor. Each had his own distinctive answer, rather like the roles they play.

"You are always the leading player in your play. The audience doesn't get to see it all. They see the bit included under the title." You may have heard this luxuriant bass voice whose timbre is very familiar to many avid theatre-goers. It's one of the prime reasons Lorne Kennedy qualifies as an Unsung Hero.

The Shaw Festival veteran is a powerful ensemble or character actor, one of those extraordinary talents that makes the play the star. Kennedy keeps good company in a star-studded character actor's cast featuring fellow Shaw mates Norman Browning and Simon Bradbury.

Stratford's Unsung Heroes include the three acting amigos Keith Dinicol, Brad Rudy and sharpshooter Brian Tree. All have played memorable roles, both leading and supporting, in many productions. But what do they think are the special qualities of the supporting player? Shavians talked about technique and unity.

"It's all about being aware of the focus, where it is, and where it is supposed to be, "explains Kennedy, who recently completed another plum supporting role, as wily abortionist Dr. Kurt Schneider in Shaw's Detective Story. "Like a good symphony musician, you know your place in the production, fulfilling that, and no more."

Actor Norman Browning agrees. Browning is the kind of actor that can build a solid character, sometimes with very little to work with. "You have to be honest. You can't just sit there like a bump on a log, but at the same time, you can't distract from what is going on. Ultimately, it's a care of the 'whole'. You have to know where you fit and how best to contribute to that whole.... That's the key."

Like Kennedy, Browning possesses a vocal dynamic that is an asset to any production. Browning proved this ability again this season as Detective Story's gruff-voiced Detective Dakis, an acidly charming cross between Barney Miller's Fish and NYPD Blue's Andy Sipowitz, seasoned with vintage Browning. His roles have been numerous over fourteen seasons at the Shaw, but his favourites include Mr Kirby in You Can't Take It With You; Colonel Petkoff in Arms in the Man; The Father in Six Characters in Search of an Author; Joe Keller in All My Sons, and Sir John in A Woman of No Importance. "There really haven't been too many shows where I haven't walked away with the knowledge that I've helped, or felt that I held up the mirror." said Browning.

Often dubbed Shaw's 'leading man', Jim Mezon is very grateful to actors like Browning and Kennedy. Mezon's credits include a selection of ensemble parts in addition to his starring roles in such works as The Petrified Forest and Sherlock Holmes. The henpecked Howard Bevans in William Inge's Picnic (2000) was an ensemble gem. Like Browning, Mezon, now in his nineteenth season at Shaw, is very aware of the sense of community in the company.

"When you build an ensemble and it's built on respect and trust, there isn't too much discussion about supporting lead roles. You understand that they [the actors] are onstage with you. From a leading actor's point of view, you always appreciate the fact that the other actors are coming onstage to take some of the responsibility off your shoulders," he says. "When you are supporting, you know the lead actors -- especially in this company -- are more than generous and more than willing to give that time to you, so it's never a feeling of heirarchy here, which is quite wonderful. It is an ensemble, a company, and people are respected regardless of whether they have got one line or most of the lines."

Another character maestro is quick-witted, quicksilver Shawman Simon Bradbury, who has played a plethora of parts from Detective Story's heart-of-gold gangster Tami Giocoppetti and Banjo in The Man Who Came to Dinner, to his own one-man show Chaplin. Bradbury sees supporting roles as a fine melody.

"It's knowing how to play the notes that are written down on the page for that character and trying not to stretch beyond that to create a lead turn, unless it is a turn of course," he says.

Bradbury, Browning and Kennedy are what Stratford actor Brian Tree calls The B Team. "It's great being part of the B Team, because you are the guys they need. The A Team are the stars; the C Team, well they are the spear carriers, and we have all been there. But the B Team is the core," says Tree.