Fiona Reid: GWB and David Storch
Omnium Gatherum was at CanStage when George Bush was re-elected.
Reid's passionate about many things in her life, particularly the fragile state of world affairs. No one was more surprised than Reid when the final US presidential ballot was announced on November 3, 2004 right in the middle of Omnium Gatherum run at CanStage.
How do you feel about George W. Bush getting back into The White House?
"I suppose I shouldn't betray my allegiances, but I did say to my colleagues, I can’t do this play if Bush gets back in. I am just going to be crying, but I am in that same state of denial that I think many people are in – I just can’t quite believe what’s happened. I keep reading and just hoping that Bush because he doesn't have prove anything, how much he's going to preach to his base and how much will he reach the middle? I have not seen anything that looks like statesman-like behaviour from him thus far. I have been reading editorials that say it would be behoove him to show some kind of statesmen-like behaviour. But who knows? If Rumsfeld leaves, who's going to take over? What I think I have real trouble with the fact of how much you can just lie and get away with it. You can say there are no civilian casualties – what? – excuse me! They say this, and the American people, well, I guess it has a palliative effect and they say, well okay... but how... if you call yourself a bible thumping Christian can you talk about the right to life of the unborn? Well, what about the right to life of the living over there in Iraq? The hypocrisy of it is – well, I suppose we are all to some degree hypocritical, but this to me reaches a level that defies credibility almost.
"It’s really tough. They are our neighbours and we have to deal with them but I am not quite sure how the pieces of the puzzle are going to fit. I just keep on reading and try to be better informed. Ostensibly, the war has religious implications and I don’t believe for one second that if there weren't oil in Iraq that the Americans would still be there. On that depressing note, [she laughs] that’s why there is much needed laughter in this play. It’s all quite scary.”
Does the constant serving of all those luscious gourmet foods drive you crazy?
"I just hope I don't fall off my two-inch heels and the revolve. I do have certain physical challenges."
Do you have a fave part of the play?
"No. I would say if I got to eat the dessert at the end, that would be fave part, but I never do get to eat that dessert."
That’s so true about food on stage. You are so busy delivering lines that you rarely get a chance to eat it.
"One night I almost choked on my amuse bouche. In fact, I did choke on it. I sounded like I was in The Exorcist at one point. I didn’t think people would know if there was going to be another sound uttering from my mouth at all. The challenge of eating and drinking and talking on stage is enough and then serving everyone in those two inch heels. I have my work cut for me. The nice thing about this is that it is a company piece and we can rely on each other."
What’s it like working with director David Storch?
"David is very technical in this because it is quite a technical show and he had a very strong vision and a strong absurdist vision which I think really fits in because the play is not real per say. He’s a very bright man and we all just had fun, a really fine time together, which is nice because that doesn’t always happen in rehearsal."
I am glad this type of theatre continues to be produced and maybe it will reach some of the more mainstream audience.
“If people keep talking about it after the play is over, which is what I gather happens Then we have done our job and that is gratifying. One night there was a nun in the audience during the joke at the end. Nigel (Shawn Williams) said she was sitting forward in her chair with her hands over her face. It’s great that people like this are coming. Someone told me from behind that there were also some Jewish members in the audience because they were wearing their yamakas, and they were roaring with laughter which I think is wonderful.“
In 2007, Fiona Reid received a well deserved Order of Canada for a lifetime of work in Canadian Theatre. In 2008, she's busier than ever, and about to play opposite Seana McKenna in Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House at Canstage
Next: Fiona Reid chats about playing the title role of Hedda Gabler at The Shaw Festival in 1991 – her love for Henrik's Ibsen's classic female protagionist and why people should not dismiss Hedda as crazy. She's much more intruguing than that!
Director David Storch
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Actress Fiona Reid
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