THURSDAY MAY 17, 7:30PM
FRIDAY MAY 18, 7:30PM
The Show
The Cast
CHRISTY ADAMSON
Joey & Topthorn Hind/Coco
Favourite theatre credits include: Boys In The Photograph (Mirvish); Jolene Oakes/Associate Choreographer in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (U.S. national tour); Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Port Hope); Lady Jaqueline in Me And My Girl, Tess in Crazy For You, Evita, Sweet Charity, Cats (Drayton Entertainment); Bianca in Kiss Me Kate; Jesus Christ Superstar (Sunshine Festival); U/S Narrator in Joseph And The Amazing;, U/S Diana/Val/Judy in A Chorus Line (Stage West); Dance Captain in All Shook Up (Stage West Calgary); Robin Hood (Ross Petty Productions); Hollywood Sings, Broadway Baritones (Starbright Festival); Choreographer/Assistant Director for Cats (Theatre Aquarius). TV and film: Assistant Choreographer for three seasons of Canadian Idol; Assistant Choreographer 18th Annual Gemini Awards. Thanks to THouse, my family, and Cory. Grampy - I finally got my horse!
Hometown:Oakville, Ontario
Favourite movie: Love Actually/Waiting for Guffman
Favourite Book: Cider House Rules/Harry Potter
Ideal Saturday night: Cooking dinner for friends followed by couch snuggling with the animals and my man
First acting role (when you were growing up): The Snow Queen in "The Snow Queen"
First proferssional role: Bomballurina in Cats
Which had more stage time: Cats
Favourite food: Anything Italian
Any superstitions or phobias?: Spiders
Favourite song or band: Ella Fitzgerald
Pet peeve?: People that stand on the left side of the escalator, it's for walking people!
Favourite role or dream role?: FR - Bianca in Kiss Me Kate DR - Velma in Chicago
Most embarrassing stage moment: When my wig got zipped into my dress in Kiss Me Kate and I had to do the whole number staring up at the ceiling.
favourite holiday: Christmas! Santa's Coming!!!
preferred mode of transportation: My own two feet
favourite vacation spot: Anywhere with sun, sand, and frozen beverages
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify):Theatre nerd
Do you have any family history/connection to war?:Both of my Grandfathers fought in WW2. My maternal Grandfather rescued a dog who received a purple heart and came home to be my Mother's childhood dog.
MAIRI BABB
Joey as a foal/Ensemble
Mairi couldn't be happier to be a part of the Canadian cast of War Horse where her two lifelong passions collide - theatre and horses. Her favourite roles include: Laura in Brief Encounter (VPH/MTC); Elizabeth in Pride And Prejudice (MTC); Rita in Educating Rita (MTC); Emily in Our Town (MTC); Sarah in Guys And Dolls (MTC/Citadel/TC); Eliza in My Fair Lady (Drayton); Janet in The Rocky Horror Show (MTC/Canstage); The Twins in The Last Resort (Charlottetown); Maria in The Sound Of Music (Rainbow); Maria in West Side Story (Citadel/TC); Mary in It's A Wonderful Life (MTC); and Ariel in The Tempest (MTC). Thanks to TH and my amazing family. For Teko, my horse, who taught me all the important stuff.
TAMARA BERNIER-EVANS
Rose Narracott
For Mirvish Productions: Tanya in Mamma Mia! (2000-2002). Other credits include: Broadway: Mamma Mia (2003-2004). For the Stratford Shakespeare Festival: Comedy Of Errors (1995); Sweet Bird Of Youth and As You Like It (1996); Filumena, Camelot and Taming Of The Shrew (1997); The Winter's Tale, Two Gentlemen Of Verona and The Cherry Orchard (1998). For Necessary Angel: Seven Lears (1996). For Tarragon Theatre: Virginia Welles in It's All True (1999) and Francoise/Mother in Mimi (2009). For Nightwood Theatre: Jinny in Anything That Moves (2000). For The Canadian Stage Company: Proof (2002), Outrageous (2000). For the National Arts Centre: The Wrong Son (2006). For Theatre Calgary: Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2009). TV credits include: CTV/CBS's Flashpoint and CBC's The Border and Republic Of Doyle. Tamara is the Artistic Producer of Theatre 20. Her biggest role is being mom to Meredith and Owen.
School: CHIPPEWA SECONDARY SCHOOL / YORK UNIVERSITY
Favourite play/musical: MISS JULIE / CHESS
Favourite movie: THE ENGLISH PATIENT / BORAT
Favourite Book: A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY / ALIAS GRACE
Ideal Saturday night: DINNER AND MOVIE WITH MY HUBBIE
Favourite food: LOBSTER
Any superstitions or phobias?: FEAR OF FLYING
Favourite song or band: KD LANG
Pet peeve?: PEOPLE BARGING ON SUBWAY BEFOR EXITERS HAVE CLEARED
Shoe size: NO COMMENT
Most embarrassing stage moment: TRYING TO MAKE AN ENTRANCE WHEN THE DOOR WAS LOCKED
Favourite holiday: CHRISTMAS - WATCHING MY KIDS FACES
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: MAKE A DONATION TO MY THEATRE COMPANY, THEATRE 20
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): DRAMOID
BRAD COOK
Joey Head
Brad Cook trained in the MA Movement Studies program at the Central School of Speech and Drama as well as the BA Theatre Arts program at the University of Waterloo and now works as a performer and movement teacher. His work in theatre includes co-collaborator and performer in both Body 13 at The MT Space and Frankenstein's Ghosts for InterArts Matrix and Concordia University. He has also performed in Pearl Gidley, Radio Leacock and Twelfth Night for Lost & Found Theatre; The Adding Machine at Bradley University; The Importance Of Being Earnest, Our Country's Good, Our Town and Marat/Sade at the University of Waterloo. Film and TV includes My Babysitter's A Vampire and Wilderness. Much love to my family and Lauren for their support.
Hometown: Mannheim Ontario
School: University of Waterloo and Central School of Speech and Drama
Favourite play/musical: War Horse!!! :)
Favourite movie: Beauty and the Beast
Favourite Book: The Road
Ideal Saturday night: Watching a movie with my partner and our Puppy!
First acting role (when you were growing up): The farmer that sells the cow in Jack and the Beanstalk
First proferssional role: Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night
Which had more stage time: Well the udder of the cow got caught on a pot on stage so it's a close call!
Favourite food: Sandwiches
Favourite song or band: Sam Roberts
Pet peeve?: hmmmmmm a few... hahaha
Favourite role or dream role?: It's always the one I am currently doing!
2 things on your bucket list: To climb a mountain and see as much of the world as possible.
Coke or pepsi?: Always Coca Cola!
Hobby: Mountain Biking
Most embarrassing stage moment: Probably being the farmer in Jack and the Beanstalk, I was out there for a long time!
Favourite holiday: Ones that I get off!
Preferred mode of transportation: Bike
Favourite vacation spot: A place that I have never been so I can explore or my family cottage
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): None of the above really...
TATJANA CORNIJ
Songperson with Accordion
Tatjana Cornij has worked as an actress, musician (singing, accordion, piano, guitar) and composer in many theatre productions in North America and her native Serbia, where she was a resident actress at the National Theatre in Novi Sad. Favourite productions include: (re)birth: e.e.cummings in song (Dora nomination: Best New Musical), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Time Of Your Life, The Cherry Orchard, Death Of A Salesman, Oh, What A Lovely War! (Dora nomination: Best Ensemble) at Soulpepper Theatre; Agamemnon And His Daughters, The Crucible, In The Blood, The Trojan Women: A Love Story, The Human Voice at Brandeis University; Sweeney Todd at New Repertory Theatre (Watertown, MA). Off-Broadway: Waiting For My Man at CAP 21 and Silver Nitrate at Juggernaut Company. A graduate of the Soulpepper Academy, Tatjana holds an MFA in acting from Brandeis University (Boston, MA). She speaks Serbian, Ukrainian and Russian.
ADAM CUNNINGHAM
Joey & Topthorn Heart/Coco/Goose
Adam Cunningham was politely asked to leave the University of Toronto for a spell in early 2004. Finding himself with a year to reflect, he promptly joined a local rock group and moved into their home in London, Ontario. The year away did some good and he returned to his studies at the university. However, he soon discovered he was once again growing restless. After a talk with a close friend who was currently enrolled in the theatre program at George Brown, he decided to apply. The three years of training that followed proved to be precisely what he was looking for. Favourite credits include: Laius (Theatre Passe Muraille); Miss Julie (Bread, Oil and Salt); Schoolhouse (Festival Players); Green (Beaver Theatre); As You Like It (Smashing Bat); and South Of China (George Brown). Adam dedicates his performance to his grandfather Lorne, who worked the horses on the family farm, and to his great grandfather Fred, who took up the fight in the Great War.
MELANIE DOANE
Songperson with Fiddle
Melanie is extremely pleased to be making her Princess of Wales debut in War Horse. This Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter returns to her musical and theatrical roots having spent the past 15 years in the Canadian recording industry where her many top 40 hits are recognized on radio across the country and internationally in hit shows like Brothers And Sisters, Buffy, Being Erica, Flashpoint and others. Melanie has toured and recorded extensively with the likes of Jann Arden, Great Big Sea, Jim Cuddy and Ron Sexsmith, and also has a theatre background, including a stint on Broadway in the Mirvish production of Buddy. The product of a musical family and the Halifax School Music Program created by her dad, Order of Canada recipient J. Chalmers Doane, Melanie recently launched the Ukulele In The Classroom Program here in Toronto schools. She is the proud mom of Theo and Rosie and loves to make music with them. Visit www.melaniedoane.com for videos, free downloads and more information about Melanie and her many projects.
CADEN DOUGLAS
Joey Hind/Coco
Caden is thrilled to be a part of War Horse. Selected theatre credits include: The Tempest (Theatre By The Bay); Ivan vrs. Ivan, The Inspector General (TIFT); Who Has Seen The Wind (ATP); A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary); Glory Days (Theatre Aquarius); Fridays With Frieda (Summerworks); and Craplicker (Toronto Fringe). Caden also directed The Kiss Of The Spider Woman for Talk Is Free Theatre, and helped create and produce the theatrical experiment The Godot Cycle, which was a non-stop 54-hour repetition of Waiting For Godot seen at last year's Toronto Fringe Festival. Film and television credits include: Breakout Kings (A&E); Mayday (Discovery); Warehouse 13 (SyFy); Alphas (SyFy); and the short films The Ties, Windigo Road and A Way Out. Thanks to Rachel and much love to Mom, Dad, Janelle, Kevin, Rylan and Mike. Lest We Forget.
Hometown: Calgary
School: Bishop Carroll
Favourite play/musical: It changes all the time... right now - Jerusalem by Jezz Butterworth.
Favourite Book: Picking one is impossible. Here are my top 6: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, 1984 by George Orwell, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley.
Ideal Saturday night: A good meal, and good wine with friends on a patio.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Tiny Tim
Favourite food: sushi
Any superstitions or phobias?: Not really. I always check my fly before I go onstage to make sure it's done up. Does that count as a superstition?
Favourite song or band: Again, picking one seems impossible, but if I had to, I guess I would have to go with Joni Mitchel.
Pet peeve?: People who don't recycle.
Favourite role or dream role?: Joe Pitt in Angles in America
2 things on your bucket list: People watch in Paris, and explore the rainforest
Hobby: cooking
Most embarrassing stage moment: I was doing a show, and wearing a costume that was all one piece. The whole back seam ripped open. I was wearing very small underwear, because that's what we had to wear with those costumes, so I was basically nude and my whole backside was exposed for quite a long duration. Plus there was a giant mirror upstage, so no matter which way I turned the audience saw it all. Also - it happened to be the night when my whole extended family was at the show.
Preferred mode of transportation: Bike
Favourite vacation spot: Spain
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: I would go travel and see the world
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): I don't really know, I guess you'd have to ask the folks I went to school with. I wore a lot of Hawaiian shirts with birkenstocks. In retrospect I was probably a geek, but weirdly at my school, at that time, Hawaiian shirts and birkenstocks were kind of hip. Well, at least to those of us who thought they were hip.
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: Not that I am aware of.
JAMES RETTER DUNCAN
Joey & Topthorn Head/Goose
A graduate of Ryerson Theatre School, James began his professional career at the Stratford Festival, performing in Henry V, Twelfth Night and Inherit The Wind. Career standouts include Theatre Direct's Dora-nominated I Met A Bully On The Hill, various shows with Touring Players of Canada, and notably Napoleon in Napoleon vs The Turk, winner of an audience choice award (Toronto Fringe Festival). James also originated the title puppet characters in Paramount's production of The Animables. He has enjoyed directing young performers in various shows including Alice In Wonderland, Urinetown, Into The Woods and Little Shop Of Horrors (in which he was also puppet master). James is thrilled to be a part of the now legendary production of War Horse and would like to congratulate his fellow cast and crew on an amazing show. He thanks his family and friends for their continued support.
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
School: Woburn C.I.
Favourite play/musical: Besides War Horse??...Little Shop of Horrors
Favourite movie: The Dark Crystal
Favourite Book: Geek Love
First acting role (when you were growing up): Artful Dodger (Oliver!)
First professional role: Stratford Festival Apprentice
Favourite food: a good burger
Any superstitions or phobias?: expiry dates on milk
Favourite song or band: Jamiroquai
Pet peeve?: arrogance
Favourite role or dream role?: Caliban (the Tempest)
Hobby: Comic and Action figure collector
Most embarrassing stage moment: once had to wear “Depends” during performance while ill
Preferred mode of transportation: Bike
Favourite vacation spot: Chester, England
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Funny Nerd
Do you have any family history/connection to war? Great Grandfathers (on both sides of family) fought opposite each other in WWI (2 fought for Canada/England, other fought for Germany), Grandfather was Radio man in WWII
TROY FELDMAN
Joey & Topthorn Heart/Coco
Troy is a Toronto-based actor, dancer, parkour artist, acrobat and stuntman. Theatre credits include: Lord Of The Rings (Mirvish Productions); The Forbidden Phoenix (Citadel/LKTYP); Off The Wall (Stan Won't Dance); A Soldier's Tale (Theatre Aquarius); and Jesus Christ Superstar (Tivoli Theatre). Film credits include: Score: A Hockey Musical, White Collar Criminals, Stepping Up 2 and Stuntman. As a boy, Troy has travelled across Canada, the U.S. and Europe both performing and competing. As a creator, Troy co-choreographed and performed in Emoticonics for the Young Centre For The Performing Arts. He was also commissioned to choreograph new work for Alias Dance Projects (including a collaboration with Allen Kaeja) combining breakdancing, house dance, contemporary and all-terrain movement. Troy would like to thank the creative team for this incredible opportunity, as well as Albino Zebrahs, his family and his girlfriend, Nadine, for being so supportive. Troy dedicates this performance to his dad and his grandpa.
NEIL FOSTER
Allan/Oberst Strauss/Veterinary Officer Martin/Ensemble
Neil was last seen here at the Princess of Wales Theatre playing Baron Elberfeld in The Sound Of Music. Other theatre includes: Death And The Maiden, The Clean House, Twelfth Night (Globe Theatre, Regina); Underneath The Lintel (Vaughan City Playhouse); For This Moment Alone, Seussical, The Last Resort, (Theatre Aquarius, Hamilton); Stuff Happens (Studio 180, Toronto); The Beard Of Avon, Amadeus, Habeas Corpus (CanStage, Toronto); Beauty And The Beast, The Foursome, (Grand Theatre, London); Present Laughter (Soulpepper Theatre, Toronto); and seasons at the Blyth, Shaw and Stratford festivals. TV/ film credits include: Dan 4 Mayor, Being Erica, Living In Your Car, Sir John A. Living Death, This Is Wonderland, True CSI, Bugs, Absolun, Kids In The Hall. He will also be appearing in the upcoming movie The Secrets Of Eden. Neil also won a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Performance in the world premiere of The Girls In The Gang.
Hometown: Montreal
School: Pierrefonds Comprehensive H.S.
Favourite play/musical: Our Town/ The Fantasticks amongst many many others.
Favourite movie: Seven Beauties, amongst many many others.
Favourite Book: St. Urbain St. Horseman
Ideal Saturday night: Something new.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Soldier. No Time For Sergeants. West Island Lyric Theatre in Pte. Claire, Quebec.
First professional role: The Good Doctor, at Harlequin Players, Dorset Vermont, USA
Which had more stage time: Both the same, I think.
Favourite food: Salty carbs. Spicy anything. Chablis.
2 things on your bucket list: Effect a daring rescue on the high seas. Finish reading Ulysses.
Hobby: Carpentry. Cooking.
Shoe size: Big.
Preferred mode of transportation: Walking.
Favourite vacation spot: Tobermory ON
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Tell my wife.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): 35% nerd, 2% jock, 23% cool, 45% invisible.
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: My Grandfather from was a pilot with the RCAF and was shot down over France. He survived and married the British nurse who helped him convalesce.
ALEX FURBER
Albert Narracott
Mirvish debut. Alex Furber is a recent graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. He is thrilled to be bringing War Horse to Toronto with such a brilliant team. Alex most recently played Romeo in Theatre New Brunswick's Romeo And Juliet. Other theatre include: The Book Of Miracles (Theatre New Brunswick); MOJO (Red One); Taming Of The Shrew (Theatre by the Bay); The Little Prince, Romeo And Juliet (Resurgence); The Importance Of Being Earnest, All My Sons, Richard III (NTS); Grease (Escape). Television: Murdoch Mysteries, Flashpoint. Film: The Mithras Conspiracy. Deepest thanks to my Mom and Dad.
Hometown: Toronto
School: Trinity College School
Favourite play/musical: Saltwater Moon/Cabaret
Favourite movie: Eagle vs. Shark
Favourite Book: Game of Thrones
First acting role (when you were growing up): Drunken Sailor in HMS Pinafore
First proferssional role: Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet
Favourite food: Thai
Favourite band: Arctic Monkeys
Favourite role or dream role?: Albert
2 things on your bucket list: Paraskiing, New Zealand
Most embarrassing stage moment: Pants slowly falling apart by the seams throughout the last scene of The Importance of Being Earnest
Favourite holiday: Halloween
Preferred mode of transportation: Tank
Favourite vacation spot: Maui
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Have an awesome Shin-dig with all my friends
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Theatre guy
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: My Grandfather was in the Navy in WW2 and my Great-Grandfather was in the Cavalry
PATRICK GALLIGAN
Priest/Hauptmann Friedrich Müller
Patrick Galligan's work in theatre includes nine seasons at the Shaw Festival appearing in My Fair Lady, Heartbreak House, An Ideal Husband, Doctor's Dilemma, Born Yesterday, Brief Encounters, After The Dance, The Stepmother, Hotel Peccadillo, The Cassilis Engagement, Romersholm, Arms And The Man, Journey's End, Major Barbara, Man And Superman, Nothing Sacred, Widower's Houses and The Plough And The Stars. Other: The Misanthrope, Courageous, Elisa's Skin, One-Eyed Kings, The Four Lives Of Marie, The Glass Menagerie (Tarragon Theatre); Romeo And Juliet, Richard III (Stratford); A Christmas Carol (Soulpepper); Saint Joan (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Get Away (Alberta Theatre Projects); Art, An Inspector Calls (Theatre Aquarius); The Tempest, Twelfth Night (CanStage Dream in High Park); Private Lives, Macbeth (Atlantic Theatre Festival); Of Mice And Men (Neptune Theatre); The Importance Of Being Earnest, Sleuth (Grand Theatre). Film and TV credits include: Republic Of Doyle (CBC), The Listener (NBC/CTV); Killshot (Weinstein Com); Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (CTV); Doc (PAX TV); Queer As Folk (Showtime); Earth: Final Conflict (Alliance/Atlantis). Patrick has a BA from the University of Toronto and an MFA from York University. He lives in Toronto with his wife Brenda and son Jack.
Hometown: born in Ottawa, grew up and now live in Toronto
School: Blessed Trinity (elementary), Brebeuf (high), University of Toronto (undergraduate), York University (graduate)
Favourite play/musical: King Lear
Favourite movie: The Godfather
Favourite Book: Crime and Punishment
Ideal Saturday night: Hanging out with my wife Brenda and son Jack
First acting role (when you were growing up): Santa Claus
First proferssional role: Pantalone
Which had more stage time: about the same, as I recall
Favourite food: beef tenderloin, medium rare
Any superstitions or phobias?: hell yes, all to do with the theatre
Favourite song or band: Galway Girl - Steve Earle
Pet peeve?: close-mindedness
2 things on your bucket list: heli-skiing in the BC interior, touring Europe with Brenda
Coke or pepsi?: Coke, definitely
Hobby: downhill skiing
Most embarrassing stage moment: falling flat on my face onstageduring the opening of The Four Lives of Marie at the Tarragon Theatre
Favourite holiday: Puerto Vallarta, fall of 2010
Preferred mode of transportation: car (but a fuel efficient one)
Favourite vacation spot: Sheenboro, Quebec
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Ask Brenda what’s the first thing she’d like to do.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): a bit ofeach
Do you have any family history/connection to war? I had great uncles who fought in WW1 and survived.
BRUCE GODFREE
Captain Charles Stewart/Heine/Ensemble
Bruce Godfree recently spent four seasons with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival where he appeared in Titus Andronicus, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, Richard III, Peter Pan, Dangerous Liaisons, Macbeth, Taming Of The Shrew and All's Well That Ends Well. His UK theatre credits include: Romeo in Romeo And Juliet (The Lord Chamberlain's Men); King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Company); The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Charlotte's Web, The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer (Duke's Theatre, Lancaster); (Really Useful Group); and Tennessee Williams's Something Cloudy, Something Clear (UK premiere, Finborough Theatre). Film: Parsley Days, The Magic Of Marciano, Amazing Grace. Radio: Peyton Place (BBC 4); The Family Canoe (CBC).
BRYAN HINDLE
Joey Heart/Coco
Bryan Hindle performed in Toronto's Jersey Boys (DanCap); Dirty Dancing (Mirvish); We Will Rock You (Mirvish); Hair (CanStage); and Cap'n Princess (w/Andrew Kushnir). This year offered up two of Bryan's most memorable theatre experiences - he had the pleasure of playing Paul in A Chorus Line (dir/Robert Woodcock) and had a number of laughs with his cast while playing Chachi in Happy Days (dir/David Connelly). He toured Canada, India, Mexico and the U.S. as a dancer with Nelly Furtado, appeared in the film Hairspray (Newline Cinema), the short film Propinquity (dir/Dan Cameron), will appear this year in the television series Highland Gardens (Epitome Pictures), and travelled to Italy to host the television show Road Scholars (Electric Entertainment). Bryan would like to thank this wonderful creative team and his talented and hardworking cast mates for the opportunity to play.
ADDISON HOLLEY
Emilie
Eleven-year-old Addison is excited and honoured to be back with Mirvish Productions in the role of Emilie in War Horse. Her professional theatrical debut was in the original cast of The Sound Of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre, where she played Marta Von Trapp. Addison has been acting since the age of seven. Her recent work includes the short film Rosie Takes The Train, a series regular on Baxter and recurring roles on Really Me and My Babysitter's A Vampire. Addison also loves animation work and a few of the shows where her voice can be heard include My Big Big Friend, Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood and Ella The Elephant. In her free time, Addison enjoys competitive dancing and hanging out with her family. Many thanks to my family, my agents at Bulter Ruston Bell and my day school, Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts. Enjoy the show!
RYAN HOLLYMAN
John Greig/Doctor Schweyk/Sergeant Fine/Ensemble
Ryan Hollyman is an actor born and based in Toronto, where he resides with his wife, actress/choreographer Monica Dottor, although he began his career in Montreal as a graduate of Concordia University's performance program and as a member of the Montreal Young Company. He is a member of the Actor's Repertory Company and a three-time Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee. Recent theatre: The Tempest (Theatre By The Bay); Andromache (Necessary Angel/Luminato); Our Class (Studio 180/ Canadian Stage); The Mill, Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Theatrefront/Young Centre); Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, The Overcoat (Canadian Stage); Mojo (Red One); Scratch (Factory Theatre); A Good Idea, Sparta, The Rochdale Project (Theatre Passe Muraille); Glory Days (Theatre Aquarius). Recent film and TV: The Shape Of Rex (Factoria); Killer Method (TFC/Miniature Donkey); Republic Of Doyle, Othello, Unlocked, The Border (CBC); King, Degrassi, The Dealership (Global/Showcase); Flashpoint, The Robber Bride (CTV/CBS); Mayday (Discovery); The Winning Season (TNT).
School: AY Jackson H.S. and Concordia University
Favourite play/musical: Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet
Favourite movie: Good Fellas
Favourite Book: Siddhartha
Ideal Saturday night: Hanging with with my wife, cuddling on the couch.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Mr. turtle
First proferssional role: Dion in The Winters Tale
Which had more stage time: it's a toss up
Favourite food: Italian or Thai
Any superstitions or phobias?: a few that I am working on
Favourite song or band: loving the Black Keys lately
Pet peeve?: inconsiderate people
Favourite role or dream role?: Caliban
Coke or pepsi?: Root Beer
Hobby: wood working
Most embarrassing stage moment: falling off the stage in Macbeth and landing face first in this forgiving lady's lap
Favourite holiday: Thanksgiving
Preferred mode of transportation: my bike, before it was stolen
Favourite vacation spot: Hawaii
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: pay off the mortgage
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): cool-atrsy jock with a touch of nerd.
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: lost 2 great uncles in WWII,who signed up underage.Thankfully my Grandfather did not.
CARA HUNTER
Matron Annie Gilbert/ Ensemble
Cara was last seen in Toronto in the Dora Award-winning production of A Year With Frog And Toad at YPT. Credits include 39 Steps at the Victoria Playhouse, Seussical, also at YPT, the title role in an all-female Richard III for Shakespeare in the Square, and seven shows at Theatre Aquarius, including The Winslow Boy, Jesus Christ Superstar and Blood Brothers. Cara spent four seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival where she performed leading roles in Juno And The Paycock, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, The Boyfriend and The Music Man, and worked with such esteemed directors as Brian Bedford, Janet Wright, Douglas Campbell, Richard Rose and Brian Macdonald. Cara was also a member of the Festival's Young Company. Other favourite credits include Little Shop Of Horrors at The Grand, Singin In The Rain at the Arts Club in Vancouver, Joseph for Livent with Donny Osmond, and Les Misérables for Mirvish Productions. Originally from Vancouver, she happily resides in Toronto with her boys, David, Nicholas, Matthew and Diego.
DAVID HURWITZ
Swing
Toronto theatre: The Boys In The Photograph, Hairspray (Mirvish); Death In Venice (COC). Vancouver theatre: The Goat Or Who Is Sylvia?, Into The Woods, Altarboyz, Gypsy (Arts Club); Crime And Punishment, The Music Man (Vancouver Playhouse). Winnipeg theatre: Ethan Claymore, The Boys In The Photograph (MTC); West Side Story (Rainbow). Film: Reefer Madness (Showtime); The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Bandi Entertainment); Cousins (Paramount). TV: Being Erica (CBC); Breakout Kings (A&E); Skins (MTV); Death Note (Cartoon Network/YTV); Psych (USA Network); Whistler (CTV). Big love to family and friends. Big thanks to the entire production team, cast and everyone at Stephanie Gorin Casting. David is a graduate of Studio 58.
Hometown: Vancouver, BC.
School: Shaughnessy Elementary, Prince of Wales Secondary then Studio 58.
Favourite play/musical: Who's afraid of Virginia Wolf? by Edward Albee
Favourite movie: It's a tie between Spaceballs and The Squid and the Whale.
Favourite Book: Oh The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. It doesn't get more inspiring than that.
First acting role (when you were growing up): The title role in The Perfect Pancake. It was a drama summer day camp student written production. My mom made me a kick-ass costume. Thanks mom!
First proferssional role: A member of the children's choir for the Vancouver run of Livent's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Which had more stage time: Joseph. We sat on stairs along the side of the stage for the majority of the show in awe of the talents of Donny Osmond and the stellar cast. They were like rock star theatre gods to us. Cara Hunter our Matron and Tracey Flye our War Horse resident director both played Wives in the production. Dreams come true kids.
Favourite food: Breakfast food. I would eat breakfast for every meal if it was socially acceptable.
Favourite song or band: Daft Punk. Their debut album 'Homework' was the first CD I wore through. Pure electronic genius.
Pet peeve?: When people put recyclable materials in garbage cans.
Favourite role or dream role?: To voice a character in an animated Pixar film.
2 things on your bucket list: Contribute something meaningful to society for future generations and backpack through Europe and Asia on a dime.
Coke or pepsi?: Nether. High-fructose corn syrup is not cool.
Preferred mode of transportation: Bicycle.
Favourite vacation spot: Any beach. Grand Bend has a killer one.
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Not tell anybody.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Drama nerd. I was in a show choir for the majority of my high school years. Nuff said.
Do you have any family history/connection to war?:My great uncle Walter Bernard was a Major in World War 1. There is a photo of him being decorated with a medal from the Prince of Wales.
PATRICK KWOK-CHOON
Joey as a foal/David Taylor
Theatre: Stephen in Rock N' Roll (Canadian Stage/Citadel); Ferdinand in The Tempest (Canadian Stage); Gollum in The Hobbit (The Grand Theatre); Newfoundland in A Boy Called Newfoundland (Theatre Smash); Lucky in The Godot Cycle (Yes Let's Go Productions). Television and film: Sunshine Sketches Of A Little Town (CBC); Rookie Blue (ABC/Global); Befriend And Betray (Showcase/Global); Being Erica (CBC); The Ron James Show (CBC); Covert Affairs (USA Network/Showcase); Nurse 3D (Lionsgate). Patrick is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School and is a member of their advisory board. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support, encouragement, and wisdom. Follow his War Horse adventure online at www.KWOK-CHOON.com or twitter @KWOK_ROCK.
GRANT LANDRY
Topthorn Head
Credits include Beauty And The Beast, High School Musical and West Side Story (Vancouver Opera). Grant is thrilled to be part of the Canadian cast of War Horse as well as making his Mirvish debut! Many thanks to Dad, Mom, Kasie, Bruce, Dennis and everyone else coast to coast. Cheers! Twitter @grantlandrygl
Hometown: Grande Prairie, Alberta
School: Peace Wapiti Academy
Favourite play/musical: Les Miserables
Favourite movie: Immortal Beloved
Ideal Saturday night: Going out and enjoying a different part of what the city has to offer.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Gaston in Beauty and the Beast
First professional role: Gaston in Beauty and the Beast
Favourite food: Anything to do with chicken. I also love Banana Bread.
Any superstitions or phobias?: Phobia: Big spiders that jump 10 times there body length!!!! AHHHHH!
Favourite song or band: Michael Jackson
Pet peeve?: When people on the TTC push there way onto the subway car while everyone is trying to get off...ARGH! Unloading and loading will go quicker if people wait :)
Favourite role or dream role?: Enjolras in Les Miserables
2 things on your bucket list?: 1) Travel to interesting parts of world to broaden my understanding of other cultures 2) Skydive (Im deathly afraid of this)
Hobby: Guitar, Snowboarding, Mountain climbing
Most embarrassing stage moment: Speaking in my Devon accent while playing a german soldier in War Horse and not realizing it until 3/4 way through the scene.
Favourite holiday: Thanksgiving
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Travel the world to visit family I have never met
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify):Jock
Do you have any family history/connection to war? Yes, my grandfather Johnathon "Jack" Landry served in World War II. I am in the midst of trying to locate records on family involved in WWI and previous due to all our family history photographs/books being burnt in a house fire years ago.
RICHARD MCMILLAN
Arthur Narracott/Manfred
This is Richard's fifth Mirvish production (The Mikado, The Lion King, Lord Of The Rings, The Boys In The Photograph). He has performed at the Old Vic (London), Virginia Theatre (Broadway), the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, Actors' Theatre Louisville, the Public Theatre (NYC), Soho Rep (NYC), the Kennedy Centre (Washington), Tarragon Theatre and many others. He is the recipient of four Dora Awards, a Gemini, a Toronto Theatre Critics Award and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Performer of the Year Award. This performance is dedicated with great love to his wife and daughter, Anne Louise Bannon and Maggie McMillan, and to his beloved mother and father, Mary and Frank McMillan.
Hometown: Born in Toronto but raised in Beaverton, Ontario
School: Ryerson Theatre School
Favourite play/musical: War Horse (seriously!)/Stephen Sondheim "Assassins"
Favourite movie: Casablanca
Favourite Book: Stephen R. Donaldson's The White Gold Wielder
First acting role (when you were growing up): "The Bartender" in The Shooting of Dan McGrew
First proferssional role: the lead in Silent Edward, a musical written by Des McAnuff
Which had more stage time: Silent Edward
Any superstitions or phobias?: The Scottish play
Favourite song or band: Can't Help Myself by The Four Tops
Pet peeve?: procrastination
Favourite role or dream role?: The Courtier in Don Druick's Through The Eyes
2 things on your bucket list: Own a Harley and live in a rural Ontario stone home.
Hobby: flying, painting, playing drums and piano
Favourite vacation spot: Bonavista, Newfoundland
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: faint!
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): shy guy
Do you have any family history/connection to war? My mother's two brothers were in World War ll. ONe of them never returned. The other brother who did return "was never the same". In essence, neither truly returned.
ARAYA MENGESHA
Thomas Bone/Soldat Schnabel/Ensemble
Araya is excited to be a part of this wonderful show with this great group of people and to be returning to the POW stage again after 12 years! Theatre credits: Another Africa/The Africa Trilogy (Canadian Stage/Luminato); Rice Boy, Macbeth, Julius Caesar (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); and The Lion King (Mirvish). Film/television credits: Cul-De-Sac, Nurse.Fighter.Boy, Mystery Hunters (Gemini Award), Nikita and Degrassi: Next Gen. Thanks to my family and everyone else who has supported me this far.
BRENDAN MURRAY
Lt. James Nicholls/ Unteroffizier Klebb/ Ensemble
Most recently: Courageous (New Stages); Titus Andronicus and Richard III (Stratford Festival). Other credits: title role in Hamlet (Resurgence/Richmond Hill Centre); Richard Hannay in the Canadian premiere of The 39 Steps (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Hook in Peter Pan, Father Flynn in Doubt, A Christmas Carol (Globe Theatre); The Glass Menagerie (Red Barn); The Woman In White (Theatre Aquarius); Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) for BeMe Theatre in Munich, Germany; Salt-Water Moon (Charlottetown Festival, under the direction of the play's author, David French); Lucy, Twelfth Night (CanStage); Descent (Theatre Passe Muraille); Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy Of Errors (Theatre By The Bay); Relatively Speaking, Proof, Macbeth (Grand Theatre); Long Day's Journey Into Night (Centaur Theatre); Macbeth (Modern Times); Love's Labour's Lost (National Arts Centre); Measure For Measure, Blue/Orange (Citadel Theatre); Goodnight Disgrace (Postscript Productions); Two Noble Kinsmen, Henry VI, Henry V, Twelfth Night, Inherit The Wind (Stratford Festival). Mr. Murray studied at George Brown Theatre School and the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training at the Stratford Festival.
Hometown: North Bay, Ontario
School: Widdifield Secondary School, George Brown Theatre School
Favourite play/musical: Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Death of a Salesman, Hamlet, Othello.
Favourite movie: Rear Window
Favourite Book: I cannot name only one, so: The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carre (and everything else by LeCarre), A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (and everything ever written by Waugh), Enduring Love by Ian McEwan. I could go on.
Ideal Saturday night: Shake a Tail at Sneaky Dee’s or an evening in: nice meal, a bottle of red and some company.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Extra in The Diviners for The Gateway Theatre Guild in North Bay with my father and brother. Age: 9-ish.
First proferssional role: Linus in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Red Barn Theatre
Which had more stage time: Linus
Favourite food: like every good Swiss - cheese
Any superstitions or phobias?: Spiders aren’t inviting.
Favourite song or band: Sweet Thing by Van Morrison
Pet peeve?: Bad manners, bad grammar and bad speling.
Favourite role or dream role?: I’m enjoying this Nicholls fellow. Hamlet was fun too.
2 things on your bucket list: A month in Paris. Learn how to ride a real horse.
Favourite holiday: Thanksgiving
Preferred mode of transportation: train
Favourite vacation spot: /span> The Street family cottage on Lake of Bays.
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: cottage, cottage, cottage, cottage, cottage, cottage.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Never a jock, but I floated around between all the others.
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: Two first cousins of my grandmother served in The Great War.
RAHNUMA PANTHAKY
Joey as a foal/Paulette/ Ensemble
Rahnuma is grateful to make her Mirvish debut in Toronto with War Horse after three years bouncing between LA and Canada. Selected TV credits include: Golden Globe/Emmy nominated BBC series, The State Within opposite Jason Isaacs, Ridley Scott's The Company opposite Alfred Molina, guest-starring on Being Human, King, Flashpoint, Degrassi, Unnatural History, Kojak opposite Ving Rhames, Jasper Texas opposite Jon Voigt, Monk, Missing, Being Erica, ABC's Make It Or Break It, to name a few. Selected theatre include: the Canadian premiere of The Vagina Monologues, U.S. premiere of An American Brat, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, Escher's Hands and workshopping Arkardina in The Seagull with award-winning British director Mike Alfred. She's a frequent voice on CBC Radio: Dinah Aunty in A Fine Balance, narrated The Namesake and Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost, Afghanada. Big Love and thanks to Bubba, Mom, Dad, The Sibs, Ronda and the cast, crew, Alex, Merv, Toby and Tommy for this wild ride! www.rahnuma.ca
Hometown: Mississauga and Montreal
School: Cawthra Park Secondary
Favourite play/musical: War Horse!
Favourite movie: Disney’s Jungle Book with Grease running a close second - don’t judge!
Favourite Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Ideal Saturday night: Listening to a great funk band play at a bar, dancing it up with my peeps
First acting role (when you were growing up): grade 2 production of a show called "BC Wheels" and then a chorus member in "Prometheus Unbound" in grade 7.
First proferssional role: The original Degrassi High (back in the day where everyone had bushy eyebrows)
Favourite food: cheese and chips (not necessarily in that order)
Pet peeve?: people cutting their nails in public, and customer service people who are rude - um, you’re in customer service
Favourite role or dream role?: For film, anything opposite Phillip Seymour Hoffman (or Idris Elba - clearly for different reasons). For theatre Medea.
2 things on your bucket list: To get my motorcycle license and get a tattoo (deep down I long to be a biker mama)
Coke or pepsi?: Wine
Shoe size: why, are u gonna buy me some?
Preferred mode of transportation: to be driven
Favourite vacation spot: Haven’t been yet but hoping to soon - Mauritius
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: pay off my family’s homes
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): I went to a high school for the performing arts, we were all nerdy... but in a cool way.
BRIAN PAUL
Sergeant Thunder/ Ensemble
Brian is thrilled to be performing for Mirvish Productions for the first time. He has performed across Canada and was in the companies at the Vancouver Playhouse, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Festival Lennoxville, Blyth and Stratford. Some of his favourite roles through the years have been Alan Strang in Equus (Theatre Calgary); D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers (Manitoba Theatre Centre); and Reverend Shannon in The Night Of The Iguana (Sudbury Theatre Centre). TV work includes: Being Erica, She's The Mayor, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures and The Border. As Sir Wilfred Laurier on the Murdoch Mysteries, he was delighted to play a scene with Prime Minister Harper. Films include: Sea Of Love, Saw III and the recent Mr. Viral. Brian lives in Toronto with his wife, Deborah Tennant (seen here in The Sound Of Music) and their daughter, Aislinn Paul. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada.
Hometown: Born and raised in Peace River, Alberta but have called Toronto home since 1984.
School: Peace River High, University of Calgary, The National Theatre School of Canada, and York University.
Favourite movie: The Ruling Class
Favourite Book: The Lord of the Rings
Ideal Saturday night: Best friends and family with 16 year old Lagavulin, favourite food, Australian red, New Zealand white, roaring fire, jazz music and snow falling on a steaming hot-tub in four feet of fresh mountain powder.
First acting role (when you were growing up): Ebenezer Scrooge in grade seven
First proferssional role: Simre The Dwarf for Young People's Theatre, 1976.
Favourite food: Well aged AAA Alberta Striploin seared on the outside and rare inside.
Any superstitions or phobias?: I'm superstitious about The Scottish Play and have a bit of a phobia about going over Niagara Falls.
Favourite song or band: Ray Charles singing Georgia or Stardust sung by anyone.
Pet peeve?: Men's socks only come in one-size which is supposed to fit from 7 to 11. They totally don't and it totally sucks when the heels are two inches above the backs of my shoes.
Favourite role or dream role?: Hamlet
2 things on your bucket list: Get my pilot's license; take a 'round-the-world cruise.
Hobby: Cryptic crosswords
Favourite holiday: Cruise of the Caribbean over New Years on Voyager of the Seas
Preferred mode of transportation: Ocean liner
Favourite vacation spot: Aruba
First thing you'd do if you won the lottery: Get a 31 foot SeaRay, cruise the Trent-Severn, tootle over to Chicago, down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico or back to the Erie Canal and on down the inland waterway to Florida.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Bit of each. President of the drama club (nerd/coolish) but also on the b-ball team (jock/cool), the curling team (nerd), hung with lots of popular kids (cool-like) but couldn't really be cool 'cause I wasn't a bad boy with a car (no cool girls).
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: My maternal grandfather met my grandmother while recuperating in England from injuries received at Vimy Ridge. My father spent most of the Second War in England and Europe while my mother served at Bomber Command in Ottawa as a Flight Sergeant.
GEOFFREY POUNSETT
Soldat Klausen/Ensemble
Geoffrey has played in theatres from coast to coast in Canada, including multiple seasons at both the Stratford and Charlottetown festivals. In Toronto, he was most recently seen in Factory Theatre's revival of Zadie's Shoes and in If We Were Birds at the Tarragon, where he has performed in several productions, including No Great Mischief and Alias Godot. On screen this past year he made guest appearances in the TV series The Firm (NBC), The Listener (CTV), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC) and King (Global), and plays this summer on the big screen opposite Colin Farrell and Brian Cranston in Total Recall (Columbia Pictures). As a director, Geoffrey was nominated for a Dora Award for his production of Brendan Gall's A Quiet Place, and has directed new work by many playwrights including Kate Hewlett, Rick Roberts and Jenny Young. Geoffrey is the co-founder of Toronto performance company The Room, and is a graduate of Queen's University and George Brown Theatre School, where he now enjoys teaching.
RYAN REID
Topthorn Heart/Coco/Goose
Ryan feels very fortunate and proud to be a part of this incredible cast. Theatre credits include The Ballad Of Weedy Petestraw (Festival Players); Hunchback (Catalyst); As You Like It, Oliver!, The Sound Of Music (Citadel); Les Misérables, Singin' In The Rain, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon (ArtsClub); Buddy Holly (Persephone); No Great Mischief, Fiddler On The Roof, The Drowsy Chaperone* (Playhouse, *Citadel & National Arts Centre); as well as Urinetown, Into The Woods and Cyrano De Bergerac. Film and TV: One Week, Psych, Intelligence, Taken, Dark Angel and Battlestar Galactica. Ryan dedicates his performances to loved ones here and those watching from above. Thank you for supporting Canadian theatre.
DYLAN ROBERTS
Chapman Carter/Taff/ Ensemble
Dylan is proud to be a part of this fantastic community of actors. This is Dylan's return to the Princess of Wales after originating the role of Meriadoc Brandybuck in the Mirvish production of The Lord Of The Rings. Recent theatre credits include Our Class (Studio 180); The Great War and Laurier (VideoCabaret); and A Whistle In The Dark (The Company Theatre). Recent film/TV credits include Rookie Blue, King, A Case For Christmas, Amelia and Richard Attenborough's Closing The Ring. Dylan is fueled by the love of his wife, Shari, and his twin sons Gareth and Rhys.
SEAN C. ROBERTSON
Joey & Topthorn Hind/Coco
For Mirvish Productions: Mamma Mia!, The Lord Of The Rings, Ghost Stories. Selected others include Robert LePage's The Nightingale and Other Short Fables world premiere (Canadian Opera Company, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Opéra de Lyon, BAM N.Y.); Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Stage West); Up the River, The Drowsy Chaperone (Thousand Islands Playhouse); The Importance Of Being Earnest, Wind In The Willows (Montgomery Theatre Festival); Beauty And The Beast (Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Silvermist Productions, Neptune Theatre); Nightlight (Theatre Orangeville); Anne and Gilbert original cast (Victoria Playhouse, P.E.I.); Oliver, Jesus Christ Superstar, Gypsy (Neptune Theatre). Sean would like to dedicate his performance to his great great uncle Julius Richardson and great grandfathers Donald Charles Keddy and Archibald Campbell Robertson, all profoundly affected by their involvement in the First World War.
Hometown: Chester, Nova Scotia
School: Victoria School for the Performing Arts
Favourite play/musical: Rent, Angels in America, The Overcoat
Favourite movie: E.T.
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Ideal Saturday night: A romantic evening with the Wife
First acting role (when you were growing up): Jacob in Jacob Two Two and the Dinosaur (5th Grade, thank you, Mrs. Perry)
First proferssional role: Perfect by Jennette White (a show about eating disorders that toured schools throughout Nova Scotia)
Favourite food: Mexican
Any superstitions or phobias?: Do we really need ants or bedbugs?
Favourite song or band: Beatles, Zeppelin, Bob Marley, old Chicago, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Young, Radiohead, Black Keys - too many to mention.
Pet peeve?: When people leave the auditorium during the bows, I know you're trying to avoid the line up in the parking lot but we can see you and it's rude. Also, people who litter. Oh, and people who smoke on the beach.
Favourite role or dream role?: I dream of someone casting me in roles you wouldn't necessarily consider at first. A 5'6" Gaston (with a 6'4" LeFou) in Beauty and the Beast would be hilarious. And I'd be a terrifying Bill Sykes in Oliver! I've always wanted to do Salt Water Moon and Mary's Wedding, The Overcoat and anything Cirque du Soleil or Robert LePage again - are you listening, Universe?
2 things on your bucket list: Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Austraila, Become a Dad.
Hobby: Painting, carving, sculpting
Shoe size: really?
Favourite holiday: Thanksgiving
Preferred mode of transportation: piggyback
Favourite vacation spot: Either coast
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: I'd keep it a secret, I don't want my life to change a whole lot, but I'd find ways to help a lot of people.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): definitely not the cool kid
BRENDAN J. ROWLAND
Joey/Topthorn Head
Mirvish debut. Selected theatre credits: Pride And Prejudice (Grand Theatre); Othello, Of Mice And Men, Pentecost (Stratford Festival); Love's Labours Lost, The Changeling (Stratford Birmingham Conservatory); The Heiress (Drayton Festival); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare in Action); Elizabeth Rex (Rose Theatre Brampton). Selected TV: The Firm (NBC); Mayday (Discovery); Flashpoint (NBC); Breakout Kings (A&E); Covert Affairs (USA Network). Brendan is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Stratford Birmingham Conservatory. A huge thank you to the creative team of War Horse and Mirvish Productions. To my friends and family, I am blessed to have you in my life. And to the beautiful Kimmy Choi, you are my life. Renzo Theodore, welcome to the family little fella.
BRAD RUDY
Ted Narracott
Brad last appeared on a Mirvish stage 26 years ago in The Mikado, prior to a U.S. tour. He has worked in theatres across Canada including 22 seasons in more than 60 productions at the Stratford Festival where some of his favourite roles include: Bill Sikes (Oliver!), the title role (The Count Of Monte Cristo), Talbot (Henry VI), The Common Man (A Man For All Seasons), Sergeant of Police (The Pirates Of Penzance), and Laertes (Hamlet). Brad recently starred opposite Joyce DeWitt in Dinner With Friends (Theatre Aquarius), and has spent two summers at the Blyth Festival. Directing credits include: Our Town (Mercury Theatre), Girls In The Gang (St. Clair College), Falling: A Wake (Alternative Theatre Works), and The Book Of Esther (Festival Players of Pr. Ed. Cty.). He co-founded the Stratford-based Alternative Theatre Works (ATW) and teaches acting at both Fanshawe and St. Clair colleges. All my love to my wife, Anne, and Jack, Emma and Rob. This is dedicated to my dad, Harry, who could always be counted on when it was needed most.
DAYNA TIETZEN
Topthorn Hind/Coco/Goose
Dayna is honoured to be part of the journey of War Horse and to have the opportunity to breathe life into Handspring Puppet Company's magical puppets. Selected theatre: Anita in West Side Story, The Producers, White Christmas, Beauty And The Beast (Neptune Theatre); Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show, Christmas Future in Alan Menken's A Christmas Carol, Oliver! (Theatre Aquarius); Camelot (U.S. national tour); The Rocky Horror Show (Citadel Theatre); West Side Story (Portland Center Stage); Houdini (Segal Centre); Victor/Victoria (Stage West); My Fair Lady (Capitol Theatre). Film/television: Save The Last Dance 2, Hellcats. Much love to family and friends.
Hometown: Edmonton
School: Lots. Trained in Edmonton, Toronto, U.K and New York.
Favourite play/musical: West Side Story
Favourite movie: Pan's Labyrinth
Favourite Book: I can't choose just one, but my most recent favourite I read as research for this show. General's Die in Bed by Charles Yale Harrison.
Ideal Saturday night: Hanging out with friends at a quiet local pub, which incidentally is why I'm glad my free night is actually normally Sunday.
First acting role (when you were growing up): I was a dancing pumpkin in the Pacific North West Ballet Company's version of Cinderella.
First proferssional role: I played Teresita in West Side Story at Portland Centre Stage in Oregon.
Favourite food: It's a tie between Montreal bagels and dark chocolate.
Any superstitions or phobias?: I try not to tempt fate by putting negative ideas out there and I hate walking down sidewalks in the rain because I'm terrified of stepping on worms.
Favourite song or band: Ray LaMontagne
Pet peeve?: Noisy chewing
Favourite role or dream role?: Anita in West Side Story.
2 things on your bucket list: Learn to speak French and skydive.
Hobby: Circus silks
Most embarrassing stage moment: Just one!? I was in my very first professional musical and on one of our first nights, (it may even have been opening night but I've blocked it out) I did a big high kick right downstage with a little too much gusto, lost my bottom foot and fell flat and hard on my back. It's the last time that happened in a performance but it has happened a few times since in a rehearsal room!
Preferred mode of transportation: Cycling.
Favourite vacation spot: Maui or the Rocky Mountains
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Buy an apartment, then start planning my trip to Bora Bora.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Definitely other. Let's say "different".
Do you have any family history/connection to war?: There are many family members along the family tree who were touched by war.
BRENDAN WALL
Swing
Brendan Wall is very happy to join Mirvish Productions for the first time, especially for this incredible show. For the last three years Brendan has been a part of the Soulpepper Theatre Company where he co-created ReBirth: E.E. Cummings In Song and Window On Toronto, and performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Time Of Your Life, Death Of A Salesm
STEVEN YAFFEE
Billy Narracott/Heine
Steven is thrilled to be making his professional theatre debut in War Horse. A native of Toronto, Steven began acting in his late teens. His feature film credits include starring roles in Growing Up and Unrivaled. He most recently completed shooting A Fish Story, which will be released this spring. Steven's varied television work includes Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, MVP, Combat Hospital, Warehouse 13, Aaron Stone and most recently, Lost Girl. Steven is a big supporter and active member of Big Brothers of Canada.
Hometown: Toronto
Favourite movie: Good Will Hunting
Favourite Book: Gone Baby Gone - Dennis Lehane
Ideal Saturday night: Watching the leafs and then going out with friends.
First proferssional role: Played a bully in a tv show called Dark Oracle. Didn't have a name I was just "bully".
Favourite food: French fries and steak
Any superstitions or phobias?: Drink a large coffee before every performance
Favourite song or band: Van Morrison
Pet peeve?: Bad drivers
Favourite role or dream role?: Dream role would be anything that put my opposite Sean Penn.
2 things on your bucket list: Go to a Van Morrison concert, and go to Hawaii.
Hobby: Reading, playing baseball or hockey.
Most embarrassing stage moment: Half of my body falling off the stage
favourite holiday: My birthday. (Is that a holiday?)
Preferred mode of transportation: Car
Favourite vacation spot: New York
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Finance a film or stage production and put all of my favourite actors in it.
In high school- nerd, jock, cool kid or other (please specify): Just myself.
Do you have any family history/connection to war? Both of my grandfathers fought for the USA in World War II. Both came home.
THE. JOHN GRAY
Production Stage Manager
Most recently: a fun-filled production of Twelfth Night at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Previously for Mirvish Productions: Rock Of Ages, The Sound Of Music, Dirty Dancing, We Will Rock You, The Lord Of The Rings, The Producers, The Lion King, The Who's Tommy, Jane Eyre, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables. Also: opening and closing ceremonies, the Fifteenth Asian Games, Doha, Qatar; five seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival; North American tours of Chicago and The King And I; productions at CanStage, the Charlottetown Festival, Theatre New Brunswick, the Grand Theatre, Theatre Calgary, the Citadel Theatre and Tarragon Theatre.
CHRIS PORTER
Stage Manager
Chris is pleased and proud to be a part of the War Horse team here in his hometown of Toronto. Previous credits with Mirvish Productions include Ghost Stories, Rock Of Ages, The Sound Of Music, Dirty Dancing, The Lord Of The Rings, Hairspray, The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast, Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. He was also stage manager for Top Girls with Soulpepper Theatre Company and The Rocky Horror Show with both Canadian Stage Company and Manitoba Theatre Centre. Other out-of-town engagements have taken him to Stratford's Festival Stage; to Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil's O; to London, U.K., with Livent's Showboat; and to the Caribbean on board both The Magic and The Wonder with Disney Cruise Lines. Chris has also worked extensively in the operatic world with the Canadian Opera Company, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera and Opera Lyra in Ottawa.
LISA HUMBER
Assistant Stage Manager
Lisa, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, and a graduate of Humber College, is delighted to be working on War Horse. Enjoy the show! Previously for Mirvish Productions: Stage Manager: Ghost Stories; Assistant Stage Manager: The Sound Of Music, Rock Of Ages, Dirty Dancing, Orpheus Descending. Recently: Stage Manager: Amelia, The Girl Who Wants To Fly (Festival Players of Prince Edward County); Assistant Stage Manager: Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana (Opera Lyra Ottawa). Lisa has worked in many venues across Canada including the Stratford Festival and the Banff Centre of Fine Arts. Many thanks to her family and friends for their ongoing love and support. Livin' The Dream!
RESTAURANTS NEAR THE THEATRE
309 Dhaba Indian Excellence
309 King Street West
416-740-6622
dhaba.ca
La Fenice
319 King Street West
416-585-2377
HOTELS NEAR THE THEATRE
Sheraton Centre Toronto
123 Queen Street West
416-361-1000
sheratontoronto.com
Westin Harbour Castle
1 Harbour Square
416-869-1600
westinharbourcastletoronto.com/
Saw a performance on Feb. 29th. I was astounded at how well the actors picked up on the little movements and ways that horses have of flicks of the ears or scratching of knee with their muzzle. They did an excellent job. As a horse owner I felt they performed with surprising reality. Well done.
there are not enough superlatives for War Horse! It sure makes the film pale by comparison....what a joy that this is a Canadian company, and how talented they all are
world-theatres.com
This is a phenomenal production of war horse mirvish production has done it again for having this all canadian (i think) cast in this war horse because i tell you its better than broadways production!!! bravo!! i haven't something so extrordinary since the lion king and im relating it to the lion king because the puppetry is like it but i feel better younger audience will disagree but this is phenomenal show 4 stars out of 4!!! This production will go long i hope because of various reasons (the movie i hope brings business to this show because it deserves that much attention because its so good!!)
What a fantastic show! Amazing how the horses were shown on stage. I saw the movie first and enjoyed that, but the Stage Play was the best. An emotional play, but loved it. Every actor/actress on stage should be commended for their brilliant performance along with the production crew. I gasve that performance a Standing Ovation along with the rest of the audience. A job well done. Highly recommend the play. I saw the show with my husband on mar. 18/12.
Five Thumbs up for this brilliant performance. I never thought that a puppet could bring me to tears.
The ability to bring personality to the horses was mind boggling. The breath work involved... Wow!
Wendy and I thought the show was absolutely fantastic - you are drawn in by the horses relationship with the human characters
Beautifully, amazingly, phenomenally done - five thumbs up. If you were thrilled with The Lion King, you will be blown away by War Horse.
War Horse was an absolute riveting, spellbinding performance/production.
Thank you
Enjoyed the matinee performance on March 7th. Had to suspend my disbelief many times in order to appreciate the brilliant puppetry! Well done, and congrats to all for a marvellous production!
Saw the show yesterday March 11 with my cousin and we both agreed this was one of our favorites. I was more emotional (4 scenes) than she was. Overall, so worth it. The production and music were beautifully done and would highly recommend it.
I saw the original production in London, and was wondering how this would compare. I enjoyed it even more this time because my seat was dead centre, row EE, so the horses were rearing almost over my head - thrilling! Congratulations on the dialect coaching, and a special word for the young actress who played Emilie beautifully. And thanks for the articulated horse magnet in the gift shop - I bought several for gifts!
Great performances; amazing staging. I was concerned about hearing because our seats were in the dress circle, however, the actors' projection was excellent and there was no problem.
We absolutely loved the show. The horses were so life-like. The story was so well developed and real. My friend and I wept at several parts in the first half and some in the second half. Excellent acting. My favourite show of the season.
We thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought the horses amazing - their actions so lifelike. It is no wonder the show won so many awards. Thank you for bringing it to us in Toronto.
This production was absolutely phenomenal! It may actually be the best play I have ever seen! Everyone should go!
What an brilliant production! The puppetry was terrific so much so that you forgot the horses and geese were not 'real'. Hard to hold off the tears...but the end 'got me'. One of the finest productions I've seen since being a subscriber for 4 years.
Awesome production. Was expecting Albert to hug his father as well. Looking forward to seeing the movie now that I have seen the play.
This is by far the best play we have seen at the Mirvish Productions and we have seen many great plays. The puppetry is amazing! Don't miss this one!
This is a spectacular show and if we see the movie I believe that I will be disappointed with the REAL horses!
War Horse is the best show that I have ever seen. My friend and I saw War Horse last Thursday and I have not stopped telling people about it and that they must go and see this wonderful show.
Absolutely magnificent. I got so absorbed by the performance I forgot that the horses are puppets.
Thank you for the experience.
This play was so amazingly performed,the interaction between performers and puppets is outstanding! I had taken my daughter and friends (all drama students) and they had the opportunity to meet with both the lead actior and stage manager - a great learning experience for them!
I never realised how realistic the puppetry was. The puppeteers/actors were true artists and made the horses come alive right down to every flick of the ear and toss of the mane. My husband and I enjoyed the play immensely.
Wow, wow, wow! Crazy good. Although the puppetry gets all the attention (and it is spectacular), I was equally amazed at the performances from the actors. So convincing, so real, and so emotional. Bravo!!!!
I read the book and enjoyed. My two friends and I were mesmerized by the production. Well done. I am telling my friends they must this production.
We thoroughly enjoyed the performance of War Horse. The puppets are absolutley amazing and the story deserves to be told and appreciated. We highly recommend it!
The show was amazing. My wife and daughter both agree that of all the shows we have seen, War Horse was the best. I read the book prior to the show. The evening was most enjoyable, entertaining and emotionally touching. All those involved in this production must be commended for their performances.
Thank you.