S T R O L L I N G P L A Y E R
Reviews for Strolling Player
National Post – Robert Cushman (Sept 21, 2013)
"Willis speaks Shakespeare very well...He has entertaining stories about fighting to retain his death scene in an episode of Dr. Who; understudying Antony Sher's marathon role in the West End production of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy; marvelling at the ferocious power of an unknown young repertory actor called Daniel Day-Lewis; and falling incongruously off the stage while playing a suave man-about-town in an Oscar Wilde society drama. He also does a killer impersonation of Richard Burton, who figures in an anecdote with an especially good punchline."
NOW Magazine – Glenn Sumi
http://www.nowtoronto.com/stage/story.cfm?content=194290 - Glenn's Interview with Richard
Sept 12, 2013: Critic’s Pick.
“One of the nicest surprises at the recent Toronto Fringe was catching the final performance of Strolling Player, Richard Sheridan Willis’s spellbinding account of a life devoted to theatre…”
http://stage81.nowtoronto.com/fringe/2013/event-detail.cfm?film=113670
July 14, 2013
“Anecdotes flow from Willis in a relaxed, unforced manner, and he and co-writer Heidi Reimer weave in famous passages from the Bard (delivered with intelligence and heart) to add texture and context. Just as entertaining are glimpses of Willis's private life, with the world of paparazzi or Paris or Venice acting as theatrical backdrops to his personal dramas. The subtle lighting nicely evokes mood and setting, while Dougal Rose's music helps bridge scenes and underscore moments. A touching Canadian theme adds a lovely note to the final passages. Let's hope this strolling player continues to venture forth and find new audiences.”
The Grid - Carly Maga
http://www.thegridto.com/culture/theatre/strolling-player/
“Willis gorgeously describes the stages of his life and career, from his birth into a theatrical family at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1958 to the grand and formal occasions at his father’s theatre in the English countryside, from the unsavoury aspects of a travelling actor’s life (like trying to sustain a happy marriage) to a few moments that are Forrest Gump–like in their grandiosity. With his experience, Willis is more than capable of commanding our attention for 90 minutes, especially when he intermittently delivers Shakespeare’s famous speeches.”
Life With More Cowbell - Cate McKim
http://lifewithmorecowbell.wordpress.com/about/
“Deftly written and performed with masterful style, heart, wit and presence, Strolling Player is a magical, moving and marvelous trip through an actor’s life. Immediately rapt by Willis’s performance, the audience follows along with his shifting tone – from commanding to passionate to vulnerable, his rich voice evoking various people from his past and present, the characters of a life. We are thoroughly engaged from start to finish of this 90-minute piece.”
Lynn Slotkin - CIUT FRIDAY MORNING, 89.5
http://www.slotkinletter.com/site/?p=2227
“Willis is perceptive, sensitive, has a lovely grasp of Shakespeare, and has a sweet charm…It’s directed with efficiency by Robert Richmond…. It’s a moving story of a man devoted to theatre, who also discovers another love along the way.”
Sam Mooney - Mooney on Theatre
"The writing is beautiful. The language is perfect...The sound and the music was also lovely...This is a very professional show. Willis is a talented actor working with a director and crew who know what they’re doing."
Lisa McKeown - The Charlebois Post
http://www.charpo-canada.com/2013/07/review-toronto-strolling-player-fringe.html
"A pleasure to watch...[Willis’] tone is crisp, polished, and captivating…This production demonstrates a wonderful balance of skill, structure, and insight into the life of theatre."
