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ARTS EDITOR:PHILIP BAST 894-2231 EXT. 2630 [email protected] ARTS MONDAY,APRIL 11, 2005 B6 Hutt to take final bow at Stratford Veteran actor will play Prospero in his final role on festival stage

BY RICHARD OUZOUNIAN “Beads for sale!’’ explodes Hutt sud- denly in that distinctive trumpet call of STRATFORD a voice. “That was my one line. I re- or William Hutt, it will end the way member holding up the beads and look- Fit began — with magic. ing absolutely directly at the audience The 84-year-old star of the Stratford and not at anyone on stage that I was Festival has announced that his ap- supposed to be looking at. ‘Beads for pearance this season as Prospero in sale!’ ’’ He arches one eyebrow. “And will be his final one on that was that.’’ any stage. But acting was not something that a William Shakespeare’s poetic con- young man of Hutt’s background juror, who settles all scores in his life would even dare suggest. “Both my with his remarkable powers before an- parents,’’ he dryly observes, “really nouncing that “my charms are all thought they were British underneath, o’erthrown’’ and setting aside his su- all about dignity and reserve. The the- pernatural gifts forever, is a perfect atre was a diversion to them, not a ca- farewell for any classical actor. reer.’’ But in Hutt’s case, it acquires added YOUNG ORATOR resonance when compared to the first theatrical event he can recall attending. So young Hutt pursued his interest “It was at the Royal Alex Theatre through the world of oratory,winning and my father brought me there to see a medal at the age of 12 for a speech his a magician named Thurston,’’ Hutt re- father had written for him “about how called, referring to the legendary wonderful the British Empire was, of Howard Thurston, who toured the course.’’ world with his Wonder Show of the Hutt served with distinction with Universe during the early decades of the Canadian ambulance corps on the the 20th century. European front during the Second “We sat very close,’’ recalls Hutt, World War,being decorated for bravery “and I kept trying to figure out how he in combat. While on leave, he would go created all of his illusions.’’ A wry to London and visit the theatre, which smile. “I’m still trying to figure it out.’’ is where his life-changing moment oc- The most revered actor in Canadian curred — but during the most unlikely theatre sits sipping coffee in a quiet production. corner of the Festival Theatre, where “I distinctly remember going to see he is about to begin his 39th season. His Arsenic and Old Lace starring Sybil look is magisterial — definitely the li- Thorndike and Lillian Braithwaite, on in winter — as he gazes out at the but instead of enjoying the laugh riot it stage that has been his home for so was supposed to be, I was actually long. more intrigued with what they were “This place has been wonderful to doing.’’ me. It’s been a happy experience. The Hutt’s clear blue eyes shine with the memories are going to be splendid.’’ intensity of that remembered discov- Hutt decided to retire last summer ery.“I really believed in those people up while working in on the there. How did they do that? How did Soulpepper production of Waiting for they make me feel that they were real? Godot. “The rehearsal period was very “I went away and thought to myself, trying and very painful at times,’’ he ‘I’d like to do that sometime.’ ’’ says, referring to the arthritis in his Shaking his head at the vagaries of legs that has been the curse of his later fate, Hutt notes that “20 years later, I years. played on the London stage opposite But the difficulties weren’t only Sybil in Waiting in the Wings.’’ physical. “My mind quite clearly re- And 40 years later, didn’t he don sented learning new lines.’’ He taps his drag to play the same part that massive forehead. “Something up Thorndike had during a there was saying, ‘Please don’t do this production of Arsenic and Old Lace at to me, I can’t take it any more.’ ’’ the Grand Theatre in London, Ont.? He looks up with his basilisk stare. DEED WAS DONE “We don’t talk about that too much.’’ When Godot was over, Hutt re- Hutt returned to Canada from the turned to Stratford and had dinner war deciding that “I really needed to with artistic director Richard Monette, complete my education’’ and enrolled who mentioned he was planning to pro- in Trinity College at University of duce The Tempest this season. Toronto. From then on, theatre began William Hutt will play Prospero in his final appearance at the Stratford Festival. He last did the role from The Tempest in 1999. “Without a thought, I found myself to claim most of his attention. saying, ‘Fine, I think I’ll play Prospero Hutt was part of the inaugural sea- the world of the theatre and is now bid- help but know that you’re pushing the FIRST ROLES for you and then I’ll retire.’ ’’ son at Stratford in 1953, as the jailer ding it farewell. envelope.’’ And so, the deed was done. The clos- His first Shakespearean role ever Brakenbury in Richard III. It was the “Of course, it matters to me a great There is silence in the room, as Hutt ing night of The Tempest will be Oct. was “with the Earl Grey Players in the first of more than 100 roles he’s filled deal, but I don’t feel any regrets be- looks inside himself. He’s a man who 28; after that, the rest, as Shakespeare quadrangle of Trinity. I played The- over the years. cause I’ve had a wonderful run. The has guarded his privacy during his ca- says, “is silence.’’ seus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’’ And now comes the final part, Pros- profession has been as good to me as it reer,although he is known to be a faith- William Ian deWitt Hutt was born But it was under Robert Gill’s direc- pero. It’s a character he’s portrayed has been to anybody. You don’t look ful friend and a devoted relative, often in Toronto on May 2, 1920. His mother tion at the Hart House Theatre that he three times before, most recently in back with sadness on a life that has working closely with his nephew Peter. was sickly following his birth, and he really started to sense his potential, es- 1999. Does he have a certain sense of fi- been so full of joy.’’ He doesn’t usually share his feelings was sent to live with his aunt in Hamil- pecially in the title role of Julius Cae- nality about it this time around? There’s one final similarity with publicly,but on this occasion, he choos- ton. It was there that he made his first sar. “Gill was a great director/teacher “No, I don’t approach it differently,’’ Prospero that must be dealt with. es to. venture onto the stage. and I owe a lot to him.’’ he insists. “Prospero is ending one life When imagining his retirement in Mi- “It’s not an oppressive thing, but it’s “My aunt belonged to Christ But after nearly 60 years of speak- and beginning another one, just like lan, the character predicts that “every sometimes a very lonely thing. You’re Church and they were doing a Christ- ing the Bard, Hutt surprisingly admits, me. You play what is in the text, and third thought shall be my grave.’’ lying in bed and you realize that some- mas pageant. I was only four or five “To this day, I’m as confused as any- that serves you well enough.’’ Hutt takes up the challenge. “I don’t day soon, all that you’ve enjoyed in life, years old, but I wanted to be in it.’’ body by a Shakespeare play the first Still, when Prospero announces his know if it’s every third thought, but at well, you’ll be leaving it. The journey Even at that early age, it’s hard to time I read it. I’m just like a high school intention to abandon all his magical my age, one does go to sleep thinking you have to take is a lonely one, because imagine anyone saying no to Hutt, and student, reading all the notes, figuring powers and says, “I’ll drown my book,’’ about death. Every evening I wonder, you’re the only one who can take it.’’ so he found himself in a Bethlehem out what it means, then putting it in it must resonate strongly with a man ‘Am I going to wake up? Is it going to be marketplace scene. my mind in language I can understand. who has spent most of his adult life in tonight?’ I’ll be 85 in May.You cannot • Toronto Star Awards celebrate the best in local arts community BY HARRY CURRIE The Walper Gallery had two guitar RECORD STAFF and vocal performers — Vanyah Ven- huizen and Drew Jamieson, while the KITCHENER Oak Room Foyer held the Grand River he Kitchener-Waterloo Arts Jazz Choir followed by the same TAwards is described as a ceremony school’s Senior String Ensemble. The and moveable feast. Eastwood Collegiate Saxophone Quar- And Saturday night’s gathering at tet played Satin Doll, Mozart and a the Walper Hotel was no exception as Miniature Jazz Suite by Lennie food stations and entertainment areas Niehaus — an excellent group. took over the second floor. The awards ceremony was hosted A large crowd gathered to celebrate by Susan Cook-Scheerer and Mark the arts in our community and honour Paine from Rogers Daytime, who kept this years recipients. things moving with lively banter and Prior to the ceremony, entertain- fun. ment was available in abundance, so AND THE WINNERS ARE: much so that it was hard to see and hear everything that was going on. • Lifetime Achievement Award: In the Crystal Ballroom there were writer Dona Paul Massel. three different dance groups perform- • Leading Edge Awards: singer ing in a wide variety of styles: Studio Amie Debrone, actor Krista Hovsepi- D, who included a piece from Hair- an, and composer/pianist/teacher Ja- spray and featured a great tap routine son White. by Jansen Bryndza who worked to • Corporate Arts Supporter: Mack the Knife; Kinesis Dance Compa- Princess Cinema in Waterloo. ny from Eastwood Collegiate with • Gowlings Literary Award: play- modern dance and ballet; Bluevale wright Sunil Kuruvilla. Dancers, which featured Dan Huras in • Visual Arts Award: painter Doug an incredible mix of break dancing Kirton. and acrobatics. • Performing Arts Award: The dance groups were followed by actor/director George Joyce. the Grand River Senior String Quartet • Music Award: composer/conduc- which played to lead up to the awards tor Leonard Enns. ceremony. • Mentor Award: drama/dance In the lobby piano students from teacher Laurel Brown. Nightingale Piano Studio and Eastwood • Open Award: arts manager Sher Collegiate soloists on vocals, piano and DiCiccio. saxophone entertained with tunes like • Special Jury Awards: the late PETER LEE, RECORD STAFF Girl from Ipanema and Funny Valen- singer/songwriter Matthew Osborne, K-W Arts Awards recipients are: (front row, left to right) Mary Anne Epp, Amie Debrone, Dona Paul Massel. Second row tine. Yvonne Jarsch sang to her own ac- singer/songwriter Mary Anne Epp. Leonard Enns, Krista Hovsepian, Laurel Brown, Sher DiCiccio, John Tutt and Wendy Guymer. Back row, Sunil Kuruvilla, Gloria companiment on piano and guitar. [email protected] Osborne, George Joyce, Doug Kirton, and Jason White. The awards ceremony took place Saturday at the Walper Hotel.