Patrick Young plays the recently widowed Mr. McLeavy in our upcoming production of Loot; this is Patrick’s first production with Bygone Theatre.
Bio: Patrick retired last year from Sheridan College, where he founded the joint actor-training program with University of Toronto Mississauga and headed it for 25 years. He directed two shows for Theatre Sheridan and twenty-something for Theatre Erindale, from The Importance of Being Earnest and The Maid’s Tragedy to Picnic and Unity (1918). He has also been Artistic Director of Dalhousie Theatre Productions, Associate Director of the Lighthouse Theatre Festival, and Director/Dramaturg of the Muskoka Festival Musical Theatre Writer’s Colony, and is the author of four award-winning biographical plays (three of them with music by Bob Ashley) as well as several adaptations of classics. In his earlier incarnation as an actor, his Toronto credits included the record-breaking hits Flicks, The Relapse, and the original production of Automatic Pilot, as well as Chinchilla and the last national tour of Spring Thaw. Elsewhere the range included Misalliance and Threepenny Opera in Boston, Uncle Vanya and Tobacco Road in Indiana, Windsor in Charlottetown, Dames at Sea in Winnipeg, Hay Fever across BC and Scapin across Ontario, plus guest starring on such TV series as The Great Detective and Night Heat.
What made you want to be a part of Loot?
As soon as I had a chance to re-read it, I knew I wanted to play Mr. McLeavy. So I looked up Bygone Theatre and was pretty impressed. Then I asked to audition and the rest is history.
How do you feel about your character? Do you relate to them at all? Share any of the same traits?
McLeavy is a breath of ostensible normality in a world gone mad. With his naïve trust in institutions and authority (at a time when we’re doubting them more than ever!), he throws the point of the play into perspective. And don’t we all wish that we had reason to get that trust back?
What’s been your favourite part of the rehearsal process so far?
We’re just starting it – it’s getting the play on its feet to explore the possibilities and test the choices. And I love working with my talented cast-mates!
What’s your favourite thing to have come out of the 1960s?
I was at university then so that’s easy: The Beatles! Though I should also mention the beginnings of the sexual revolution. We all benefit from both of them!
Are you working on any other projects at the moment/ What might we have seen you in recently?
Not yet, but my production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST for Theatre Erindale was chosen one of the Ten Best shows west of Toronto in 2017 – including Stratford and Shaw (!) — by the Ontario Arts Review. I’m definitely game for more acting or directing, but as I just retired from a full-time College Professorship, I’m not in a rush. And I have travel plans!
Why should people come out and see the show?
Because it’s going to be so much fun! It’s so cynical that it’s the perfect antidote to today’s cynicism!
Anything else you want us to know?
Yes – the link to the go-fund-me campaign!
See Patrick onstage March 8-17th, 2018 at the Alumnae Theatre.
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