Edward Kotanen in his Studio in Hamilton Ontario

This episode, I speak with set and costume designer Edward Kotanen.  Ed was around at the start of the rebirth of Canadian theatre in the 1960's and managed to navigate a successful career until his retirement recently.  Ed has a great perspective on the relationship between amateur and professional theatre and how groups like the Sunparlour Players and London Little Theatre helped to launch his career in the 1970's.  We also talk about the meetings in Frances Dafoe's basement and how they spawned the Associated Designers of Canada.  

Ed's painting of his partner scenic artist David Rayfield

Ed also recounts the story of Jack Shapira and his conviction of embezzlement at the Rainbow Stage.  I have gone over the press clippings, one which is found in the links below, and all of what we talked about though it may sound just a little bit like gossip occurred as Ed told it, so rest assured, we are not making this stuff up!  

A bit more on the apocryphal side is my telling of a controversial set design that I attribute to Michael Levine at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.  Hard as I try, I could not find reference to it online, so I may indeed have my facts all backwards - if you listen and know the real story let me know and I will post an update!  

UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television

William Melnitz

Ralph Freud

University of Southern California School for Dramatic Arts

Malabars Toronto

The Pilot Tavern

The First Floor Club, Asquith St. Toronto

Machinal by Sophie Treadwell

The Crest Theatre, Toronto

Canadian Opera Company

Canadian Players

National Ballet of Canada

Celia Franca

The Sunparlour Players

Ernest Schwartz

The Canada Council of the Arts, History

The London Little Theatre

The Grand Theatre

The Canadian Little Theatre Movement

Jack King

The Easter Egg, a design by Jack King

Walter Lerning

Tibor Feheregyhazi

Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay

Persephone Theatre, Saskatoon

Leslie Hurry, costume designer

Mad Shadows, National Ballet of Canada

Anne Ditchburn

The London School of Church Music

The Aeolian Hall

Opera Hamilton which has just ceased operations

Toronto Operetta Theatre

Rainbow Stage, Winnipeg

Jack Shapira

Associated Designers of Canada

Frances Dafoe, and her figure skating career

Late Nights On Air, Elizabeth Hay