|
|
|
Kurt's ready to fly
Browning makes the leap from skating to acting in Peter Pan
| Source: |
The Hamilton Spectator |
| Date: |
November 21, 2007 |
| Author: |
Gary Smith |
Showtime
What: Peter Pan -- The Pantomime
Who: Kurt Browning
When: Now through Jan. 6
Where: Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., Toronto
Tickets: 1-416-872-5555
Kurt Browning is flying. Not on his skates you understand. This time
he's in the air. On his way to Neverland, he's the very image of that
rebellious boy who never grew up.
Playing Peter Pan is all about contacting inner youth. And Browning,
who has never acted or sung onstage before, is working hard to make
that important contact.
"I'm not afraid," he says, puffing himself up to Peter Pan stature. "I
feel protected. Right now I'm wrapped in a wave of support."
Browning, who has done just about all a man can do on skates, is
looking for a new challenge. Peter Pan is it.
"I guess I thought having to be a kid would be the easy part. Actually
it's not. This isn't about being goofy. There's something sad about
Peter, too. That's an important aspect of his character I have to tap
into."
Browning, with two wee ones of his own, knows about children.
"I had a crazy moment with my four-year-old the other day," he
muses. "It happened when he discovered everybody in the room we were
in was going to die. He lost innocence right there. It was such a
bittersweet moment. It started with a conversation about Jesus. How he
died then came back. In some ways the idea of outrunning time, living
forever, was connected with notions of Peter Pan."
Browning is currently practising flying.
"It's hard work but it's fun. The notion of being able to escape the
earth and hurl yourself into space is so appealing. In some ways it's
like a leap on the ice, soaring into space, hovering there on some
sort of man-made wings."
Browning makes no bones about the fact he's a neophyte actor.
And singing? Well you'll just have to wait and see. "Am I a singer?
No. But I do get the notes out. I get to sing It's Not Easy Being
Green and the Theme from America's Greatest hero. Neither is really
taxing."
Browning thinks it's neat his dramatic debut is in a pantomime, not a
serious musical.
"We're all just out to have fun. There's a real current that runs
between the audience and the actors in this sort of show. I love the
way pop songs are included and the humour is really quite
quick.
"It's a friendly thing really between audience and actor. The kids out
front are such a part of the show and you know it's an art
form. Pantomime is something special that takes a popular children's
story and lets it really rip.
"I got this job because I can skate," Browning shrugs. "And of course
that's ironic since there's no skating in this show. I took a short
cut to the stage and I'm well aware of that. Hopefully, I'll earn my
place."
Though he still skates and presents star skate shows on television and
on tour, Browning admits he's started to settle down a little.
"I have a commitment to be a good dad. You only get one crack at
this. I don't want to blow it."
Browning's wife, ballerina Sonia Rodriguez, also has a full-time
career. Yet, between them these two busy performers make loads of time
for Gabriel and new brother, Dillon.
"These days I just find so many things that are more important than
going to the rink. Skating's still a passion, but not as much as it
used to be. It's intensely physical and that means there is pain. But
I can tell you one thing. I'm not frightened of stopping.
"Am I like Peter Pan? No not really. He never wanted to grow up. At
41, I already have."
Gary Smith has written on theatre and dance for The Hamilton Spectator
for more than 25 years.
|
|
|
|
|
