William & James: Fruities for Life photo: Louis Lopardi

"I think it's more about the actors or the play itself than it is for me or for my company," he says about the opportunity. "It really adds a lot to the play's production history to be performed in New York in an off-Broadway venue."

The show - which examines a love affair between an established Victorian gentleman and his young page - received rave reviews. Festival organizers even selected William & James as an example piece that was presented to the New York Arts Council.

For a production that has struggled to gain official backing at home, the situation was as awkward as wearing a swimsuit in a bathhouse. When asked about government recognition of the LGBT community in Quebec, Ryall's demure façade cracks ever so slightly. "That's easy," he jokes. In the eyes of the government, he says, that community doesn't exist.

But the veteran director and producer admits that the challenges facing queer companies are legion. Mainstream media, he says, has yet to figure out a way to communicate that queer-themed plays are for everyone. Even productions like William & James that aim to appeal to a wider audience get lost in the blur of flesh and wigs at such high-profile events as Divers/Cité.

"Some theatre productions get coverage," Ryall laments, "but nowhere near the level that we get as a bunch of hunky, cute boys in shorts, or as a bunch of drag queens running around like clowns."

However, if the New York stint proved anything to Ryall, it's that the difficulty of mustering support for queer theatre is universal.

After shows, he would go out to the neighbourhood bars where no one seemed to know a theatre festival was happening just around the corner.

"What I did find to be similar between New York and Montreal is that so few people within the community know about their own event, and so few rally to see it succeed. The LGBT community tends to have so many subdivisions that it's hard to look for support within the ranks. That's our biggest challenge."

 
 

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Buzz Feely's Comments     OUCH! That was a scathing review if I've ever read one. I saw the Montreal version of this play and agree that the performance was really dry. However, I don't remember hearing Celine Dion anywhere in the soundtrack.
Lorie Limeti		August 23rd, 2007
William & James commands the stage in NYC, Montreal and Ottawa.     I've had the opportunity to see many versions of this production in Montreal and in NYC as well as another version in Ottawa. Interpreted by two different Actors playing James and three different Williams. I enjoyed all of the different interpretations but the performance I saw in NYC was definately the best of all. Hats off to you guys for representing us so well. Here is a NYC reporter's expert review of this awesome Montreal production. Voir la critique à/See review: http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/prnn/449.htm .
Bryan Smith		August 21st, 2007
Playing James in English & in French, in Montréal & in New York.     After having played the part of James over 50 times, in both English and in French, in two different international theatre festivals in Montréal and in New York, with three different Williams, I may confidently state that I know the character well. I would like to thank Ryan Browne, who came in from Ottawa at the last moment to give a wonderful performance. I lift my hat as well to Ricky, who without his dedicated support, the show would stumble and falter. But of course my special thanks to Village Scene producer and director Davyn Ryall to have made this opportunity possible. The accolades and experiences which I have accumulated over the past year with this production are things which I shall hold dear to me for a very long time. Mr. Ryall's dedication to developing new works with new talent is what makes him such a valuable asset to Montréal's artistic community. Being involved in this project has introduced me to GBLT culture. The works of Village Scene Productions do cross boarders and pass the messages of education, familiarisation, demystification and communication. Relating to another's experiences through the mirror that is theatre is perhaps the most readily available means to create awareness and acceptance. Their continued diligence in this quest is unfaltering. I have been deeply touched by the sincerity and open heartedness of my character James, as well as that of my fellow compatriots who have taken this journey with me. I send my gratitude to all of you.
Christian Bugden	{2 votes}	August 20th, 2007
A Proud 'Fruitie for life'.     First thanks to Bret for this opprotunity to find a voice for our production and the successes ofRobert Tsonos' play and actors Ryan Browne and Christian Bugden of William & James. It is true that I believe that our community has eveolved beyond the images of hummpy boys in briefs and drag queens in the streets... 'Not that theres' anything wrong with that!' But, there is so much more to 'us' than 'just' our sexuality. I like to think that there are many more interesting things about me and that define me as a human being sharing the life experience with the rest of the world aound me. I hope that readers take away with them a sence of what we as artists are trying to accomplish with producing and performing 'queer based' themed stories on stage. Education, familiarisation, dymystification, and communcation as well as entertaining the masses, not just a select segment of the population, but all inclusive. Regardless of the cause, get out and support your local and visiting artists and buy a ticket to a show. We do it all for you! Luv ya Hour!
Davyn Ryall		August 17th, 2007
For your readers' enjoyment ...     ... I thought I would include a link with a review of the masterful play http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003614450
Buzz Feely	{1 vote}	August 17th, 2007

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