AISLE SAY Toronto
PATRICK GALLIGAN:
IT
DOESN’T GET BETTER
(AN ACTOR'S PROFILE)
Shaw Festival 2016
Niagara-on-the-Lake/ 1-800-511-SHAW
Full disclosure: I have been following Patrick
Galligan’s acting career since I first saw him
play Jim in Tarragon Theatre’s production of The Glass Menagerie. That was in 1997.
For the past 13 seasons (he took one year off to perform in the Toronto
production of War Horse) I have
watched Galligan perform in a wide range of roles at the Shaw Festival. And
only two years ago, I had the enormous pleasure of directing him in Studio 180
Theatre’s production of NSFW. So, what is it about this actor that continues to interest
me?
Now in his mid-50’s, Patrick Galligan harnesses
a passion and energy that combine to generate exciting theatre, both for him
and the ensemble members that are fortunate enough to play scenes with him. And
though he joined the Shaw company at the age of 40, a relatively late entrance,
Patrick knew that was where he hoped someday to be. “If
I can get into that company, I might become a better actor,”‘better’ came in gradations, he would
have surpassed his own expectations. he recalled when we spoke some time ago. And if
Galligan is intensely focused, good-humoured and possessed of a grounded ego
that serves all who work with him. In NSFW,
there were two fairly inexperienced members of the cast with whom he worked
closely. It was thrilling to watch them grow in confidence as Patrick gave them
every opportunity to experiment and to learn from his greater experience. His
work ethic, his generosity and respect for company members enriched the
project. I was curious to know more about his reflections having been at the
Shaw for so many seasons. And don’t forget that the season
itself is a long one, typically running from February through to the end of
October, and occasionally even longer into November.
“The positives of working in a company
like the Shaw are probably obvious…the
pay is decent and the plays are usually very good and often brilliant…There is a tight-knit community of actors that has lived,
worked and socialized together for sometimes many years. At best, this can lead
to a wonderfully harmonious ensemble that can produce some extraordinary
theatre.” Galligan is proof positive that this
is one reality for a successful festival member. And not only has he gained
from the many options offered by the Shaw, but he has brought the spirit of his
experience with him as he has worked elsewhere across the country.
“But as with anything, there is a
downside. It can be very insular and sometimes you feel cut off from the rest
of the world…as an artist here, you can begin to
crave outside influence, something to ‘shake
things up’. In the winter between seasons I
always try to get theatre work outside of Shaw.” Which is when and why Patrick was available to
join Studio 180. In fact, our rehearsals began as his season at the Shaw was
winding down, so he was doing a lot of driving as fall was threatening to
become winter.
Patrick Galligan is one of many multi-talented actors in Canada, to be sure.
But his personal warmth, immediacy and commitment set him apart. He is an actor
you always want to work with because he brings himself so wholly and
unselfishly to the project. And at the same time, as generous as he is, he has
the technical and emotional capacity to carve out the space that he needs to
continue adding to his arsenal.
It is not at all surprising that Patrick represented the acting company when
the festival was engaged in hiring its new Artistic Director. (Jackie Maxwell
will be leaving the post at the end of this season and Tim Carroll will be
replacing her.) I anticipate seeing Patrick in future seasons taking on roles
that will continue to feed and challenge him. At the same time, the company
will benefit from his kind and thoughtful attention to newbies who will arrive
filled with an energy that is the domain of the very young. And for those among
them who take the time to watch and to listen, Patrick Galligan will be the
inspiration that can lead them forward.
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