Q&A - Brief Lives: Stories and Songs of Old London

William Webster in Brief Lives. Photo by Tariq Kieran.

Based on the writings of John Aubrey (known for his biographies of famous Londoners such as William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh and Thomas Hobbes), Patrick Garland’s play Brief Lives paints a portrait of the 17th century author and of the stories he tells. This weekend, as part of the sixth annual Global Cabaret Festival, Toronto Masque Theatre and Soulpepper will present a co-production of Brief Lives: Stories and Songs of Old London, starring acclaimed actor William Webster in the role of Aubrey, and featuring live music and projections, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

We caught up with director Derek Boyes to find out more about this unique interdisciplinary performance.

Theatromania: What inspired this multimedia adaptation of Patrick Garland's Brief Lives?

DB: I have had the great good fortune to be allowed to direct many projects for Toronto Masque Theatre and as a company we have been exploring the essence of the "masque." My greatest discovery is the added power a piece of text receives when it is enhanced by other performing disciplines. I am always searching for vehicles to further this notion and Brief Lives feels like a perfect choice.

Theatromania: How would you describe the production in a few sentences?

DB: I believe this is a timeless tale of a man who followed his passion and found contentment in a life that offered him many challenges. His chronicles of the "ordinary people" of his time feels very familiar and gives us all comfort that we are somehow making a mark in the world, however tiny.

Theatromania: Can you tell us a bit about your experience directing William Webster as John Aubrey?

DB: I challenged Bill several years ago to come up with a piece of theatre that he could put his mark on and perhaps travel the world with. He remembered seeing Brief Lives at Stratford years ago and felt it was something that spoke to him. What we have discovered is that the character of Aubrey is remarkably similar to Bill's genetic code and his understanding of the character is therefore very familiar and rich.

Theatromania: Have you learned anything new or significant during this process?

DB: The aging process is always a challenge to grapple with. Watching Bill Webster at age 71 play John Aubrey at 71 and bring such passion and commitment to a piece that offers the hope for fullfillment in one's life is very moving to me.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

DB: I hope the audience feels like they have made a new friend in John Aubrey and that although he died over 300 years ago, he will have shared memories that make sense to us all in 2013.

Catch Brief Lives from October 25-27 at the Global Cabaret Festival (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). Visit globalcabaret.ca for more information and to buy tickets.